Indonesian university recognizes TAU, cites excellence in partnership

Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA) acknowledged Tarlac Agricultural University’s impact in its internationalization efforts during the annual UNESA International Forum for University Rectors (UNIFUR) held virtually on 25 November. UNESA chose TAU out of hundreds of colleges and universities, organizations, and public and private institutions from its roster of global partners and linkages.

In his acceptance speech, TAU’s President, Dr. Max P. Guillermo, shared TAU’s humble beginnings. “TAU was once a relatively less popular university when we first dared to cross the unsettling waters of internationalization.”

Dr. Guillermo also expressed his gratitude for the distinction as the first and only Filipino institution to have been honored by one of Indonesia’s leading Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). “I thank you for the honor of working with some of our region’s best leaders and educators,” he mentioned. Other awardees include SEAMEO Regional Center for Special Educational Needs in Malaysia, Walailak University in Thailand, and The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Manila.

As UNESA’s counterpart, TAU actively participated in UNESA Summer Camp Program, SEA-Teacher: Pre-Service Student Exchange, SEA-TVET: Southeast Asian Technical and Vocational Education and Training, and Regular Student Exchange Programs and hosted UNESA students in both on-campus and online activities.

Dr. Guillermo also vowed to renew the TAU-UNESA Memorandum of Understanding which is set to end in 2023. “I hope we can explore more possibilities in faculty exchange, research, knowledge and resources sharing, and cross-cultural understanding,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Christine N. Ferrer, Director of TAU – External Linkages and International Affairs, said that she looks forward to seeking more areas of cooperation with UNESA. “We will also be teaming up with UNESA in the Global Goals Cross-Sectoral Dialogues which is an ongoing project under SDGs Academy Philippines,” she disclosed.

UNESA, an HEI based in East Java, offers 62 programs distributed in seven faculties. TAU signed an MOU with UNESA’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science in 2018 after a series of interinstitutional dialogues.

UNIFUR is a program established by UNESA to intensify worldwide collaboration on the implementation of United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. (Jerome L. Duque, TAU-ELIA)

Photos courtesy of Dr. Christine N. Ferrer, Director of TAU-ELIA, and the Office of the President (OP).