The Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) benchmarked at the Central Philippines State University (CPSU) Main Campus for internationalization and administrative best practices on March 19, 2025.
Led by ISAT U’s Vice President for External Affairs, Dr. Nemia H. Mabaquiao, and Director of the National and International Affairs (NIA) Office, Dr. Juniffer B. Badoles, the ISAT U model referencing team was welcomed by CPSU International Affairs Director, Dr. Joe-an Mae G. Escober, and Extension and Community Services (ECS) Director, Dr. Jimmy O. Degillo.
“This benchmarking initiative aims to analyze CPSU’s internationalization framework and identify key insights to strengthen international partnerships, expand faculty mobility, enhance global academic efforts, and improve its global rankings,” Dr. Escober outlined the initiative objectives.
Alongside the IA and ECS directors, representatives from CPSU administrative offices also joined the model referencing discussion with ISAT U’s National & International Affairs (NIA) and other ISAT U officials about the universities’ practices in their respective internationalization campaigns.
“Why do we need a participatory approach? The world rankings that we maintain need the support of administrative offices and their best practices to be captured into a paper to be submitted as requirements for the endeavor. This is not only to gain recognition for the university but also to improve our bureaucratic processes annually,” said Dr. Escober.
Dr. Escober imparted her personal experiences as the IA director, spearheading the campaign under the leadership of the University President, Dr. Aladino C. Moraca—sharing the collective challenges and triumphs of CPSU in its successes in the UI Green Metric, Times Higher Education (THE), World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Stars international rankings.
Dr. Mabaquiao also conveyed ISAT U’s strategies to effectively reach the institution’s internationalization targets and shared about the existing team synergy among officials working under the banner of their internationalization campaign.
The Research Development and Extension Center (RDEC) Conference Room resounded with informational banters and engaging discussions with both teams exchanging implemented strategies and queries and answers about the benchmarking targets.
