TAU  hosts CHED’s IZN  Conference Workshop

Privileged to take part in the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)’s effort in encouraging Philippine higher education institutions (PHEIs) to take a holistic and programmatic approach in pursuing their internationalization strategies  and  programs, the Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) hosted CHED’s Conference  Workshop  on  Building the Internationalization Roadmap of Philippine Higher Education Institutions  held  on  April  18 – 20, 2018 at the TAU Agritourism Hostel Function Hall.

Said conference workshop endeavored to upgrade and strengthen the institutional capacity of HEIs to serve the public effectively and promote the internationalization of Philippine higher education. The three-day workshop aimed to produce CHED Internationalization Roadmap for PHEIs that will serve as a blueprint and framework of strategic and innovative activities; strengthen                the          higher    education              system improving the institutional capacity of HEIs by redefining their directions and plans in pursuit of academic excellence within internationally benchmarked standards in producing globally competitive graduates and productive digital citizens; and finalize the array of guidelines that would serve as guide of the Commission in the delivery of various internationalization activities. Atty. Lily Freida M. Milla, Director of the CHED International Affairs Staff unveiled the program directions by discussing the activity rationale and leveling of expectations during the Opening Program followed by presentations of internationalization experiences, programs and best practices by Dr. Luis Maria R. Calingo, Holy Angel University President and Dr. Max P. Guillermo, TAU President, representing private HEIs and SUCs, respectively. Meanwhile, Dr. Caridad O. Abuan, CHED Regional  Director, has been represented by Ms. Lora L. Yusi and Dr. Cristina M. Nuque, CHED Regional Supervisors. The latter delivered Dr. Abuan’s message to the participants.

Prof. Eddie M. Nuque, Senior Fellow of J.R. Institute of Governance, De La Salle University facilitated the workshop on the ‘Goals or Objectives of Internationalization and Identifying Opportunities and Challenges Based on the Internationalization Experiences.’ Prof. Nuque and Dr. Alan S. Cajes, Vice President/ Managing Director and OIC of Graduate School for Public and Development Management  of the Development Academy of the Philippines also moderated another workshop to ‘Identify the Internationalization Milestones for Higher Education and Drafting the Internationalization Roadmap for Philippines HEIs.’

Moreover, Mr. Rodolfo Sabas, consultant     of     the     Canadian     Bureau   of International Education (CBIE), also joined the participants and shared his inputs during the presentation of outputs.

The participants also worked on internationalization guidelines and were grouped accordingly to draft the following: Policy on Foreign Student Scholarship, Guidelines for Pinoy Global Talent, Guidelines on International Academic Mobility Grants and Exchange Programs, Guidelines on Participation in International Benchmarks, Guidelines on Grants to Implement Internationalization Strategies, Guidelines for the Professor in Motion Program, and Proposal on the Implementation of Hub for English Language Education and Training.

The ‘Creation of the Philippine Higher Education Brand’ has been the focus discussion on the last day of the workshop with Dr. Dante M. Velasco, President and CEO, Creative Point International, Inc., as lecturer.

The activity was participated in by international relations officers (IROs) from 11 private HEIs and 8 SUCs which are affiliates and participantsinthe Training on Internationalization (Canada  15),  ASEAN  International  Mobility of  Students  (AIMS)  including  institutions  who are offering Transnational  Education (TNE) programs. CHED IAS and Kto12 staff also attended the said conference workshop. (SRLingaya, TAU-ELIA)

STEM stude leads 364 academic excellence awardees

First Batch of Kto12 LS graduates ready to face life’s challenges

The first batch of Grade 12 TAU-LSians are now ready to face life’s challenges as their graduation was confirmed by the University President, Dr. Max P. Guillermo, during the Commencement Exercises on April 11, 2018 at Gilberto O. Teodoro Multipurpose Center.

With the theme “Kto12 Learners: Ready to Face Life’s Challenges”, these graduates have begun their preparation for a new journey when they enter college. To provide them a realistic view of the changing society today, Engr. Cesario L. Tabago, the renowned “Kamote King,” graced the graduation ceremony and delivered an insightful message about his life’s challenges and surprises. During his speech, Engr. Tabago highlighted all the struggles in his life before he reached his success. He retold his experiences when he was still a student in Tarlac College of Agriculture, now Tarlac Agricultural University. With his mentors’ guidance and advice, Engr. Tabago pursued his passion and achieved success with humility and perseverance.

TAU undergoes CHED-CBIE internationalization mentoring

The Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU), represented by Dr. Christine N. Ferrer, Director for External Linkages and International Affairs, has been privileged to be part of the 15 selected public and private higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines which met the institutional and individual criteria for the capacity building initiative, “The Internationalization of Higher Education in the Philippines: A Strategic Training Program,” organized and sponsored by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in partnership with the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE).

The seven-month program includes in- Canadatraining (Phase 1), onlineeducation (Phase 2) and in-country training (Phase 3). It endeavors to provide participants with assistance in the development of institutional internationalization strategies and implementation planning including best practices, partnership building, curriculum development, research opportunities and funding mechanisms. Phase I of the program consisted of 27-day in-Canada program curriculum design covering a diverse pedagogical approach based on adult education and experiential learning. Lectures and presentations from well-known internationalization mentors and authors – Professor Hans De Witt (Boston College) and Professor Sonja Knutsun (Memorial University) enhanced the participants’ background and widened their perspectives of internationalization through group discussions and assignments, case studies, situational analysis, self-reflections, and review of current policies and practices.

TAU lays groundwork for international assessment 

Resolute in fulfilling its vision to gain international   reputation   as   one   of   the top 500 agricultural universities in Asia, Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) had an initial take-off for its bid toward international assessment and recognition through the ASEAN University Network (AUN).

With the growing trend of higher education system towards internationalization, coupled with the increasing demand from universities in the ASEAN region to raise their program’s recognition and quality improvement leading to the elevation of the importance of developing a robust QA system in HEIs, the University fielded in three (3) university officials to undergo AUN-Quality Assurance Training Course for Accomplishing Program Assessment (Tier 1) on December 12-15, 2017 held at Pathumwan Princess Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand.

TAU-RET now ISO 9001:2015 certified

The Research, Extension and Training (RET) Services of Tarlac Agricultural University is now International Organization of Standardization (ISO) certified after Ms. Mary Glory Caunin, auditor of the Russian Register, awarded the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) Certification to the TAU-RET QMS Core Group headed by Dr. Tessie E. Navarro, the Vice President for Research, Extension and Training (RET) Services on February 9, 2018 at the TAU Agritourism Hostel Function Hall.

     After receiving the ISO certification, Dr. Max P. Guillermo, commended the QMS Core Group for achieving another milestone for the University. He added that earning this prestigious award does not mean an end of a journey; instead this signifies the continuous challenge in sustaining the excellence and integrity in service they provide for their clienteles and stakeholders.