Tarlac State University, through the Office of International Affairs (OIA), claimed victory in the Padyak Goes Internationalization through ASEAN (PaGITAn) Regional Competition of the Commission on Higher Education Region III (CHEDRO-III) last August 11, 2021.
The PaGITAn project is one of the regional competitions organized by the CHEDRO-III in line with the observation of the ASEAN Month and the national ASEAN celebration of CHED themed “PADYAK! Moving Forward, Claiming Victory for the Philippines Higher Education in the ASEAN Community.”
Participated by higher education institutions in the region, this project encourages responsiveness in the implementation of internationalization practices in the ASEAN community, elevated efforts in the internationalizing of research and research in internationalization, showcasing best practices and novel ideas, and the creation of networks that will align with diverse ASEAN Work Plan and roadmaps.
The university's entry was submitted under the “Institutionalization of the Internationalization Program (for Wider Community Engagement)” category which requires a needs analysis for internationalization in Region III, a development plan focusing on regional and HEIs’ internationalization and glocalization, and assorted networking events and collaboration resulting to operational agreements with other HEIs and industry partners.
Titled “Regional Higher Education Institution III – Local and International Network Keystones” or RHEI III – LINK, the project proposal of TSU aims to bridge the gap among the government, academe, and industry through internationalization by focusing on the following keystones: Instruction, Research, Extension, Production, and Systems and Procedures.
Moreover, RHEI III – LINK seeks to streamline and align institutional and industry management in terms of local and ASEAN standards and sustain current partnerships and cooperation between and among HEIs and local and international industries in the region.
The development of the tenets and objectives of RHEI III – LINK is all in accord with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, ASEAN’s Work Plan on Education 2016-2020, NEDA’s AmBisyon Natin 2040, the Philippine Development Plan, Central Luzon Development Plan 2017-2022, and CHEDRO III’s Central Luzon Higher Education Plan’s (CLRHEAP) Initial Monitoring Instrument and Thematic Areas.
The winning project proposal was created by the OIA unit heads and staff through the leadership of Dr. Jasper Jay N. Mendoza, OIA Director.
