Romblon State University, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), and the University of Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), Malaysia, recently held an exploratory meeting to discuss potential areas for international collaboration and partnership. The dialogue highlighted RSU’s commitment to advancing internationalization, particularly within the College of Business and Accountancy, and reinforced its vision as the “National Archipelagic University” with strengths in agriculture, engineering, information technology, business, accountancy, and education. UniKL presented its expertise in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), emphasizing opportunities for faculty and student mobility. University officials and key members of the International Relations Office expressed strong support for benchmarking visits, academic exchange, and formalizing the partnership, signaling a shared commitment to expanding global engagement and collaborative opportunities among the three institutions.
Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Emelyn Montoya, expressed strong support for strengthening global linkages and advancing internationalization initiatives, particularly within the College of Business and Accountancy (CBA). Meanwhile, Vice President for Student Affairs and Services and Director of the International Relations Office (IRO), Dr. Gianinna Elaine Labicane, presented RSU’s vision as the “National Archipelagic University,” highlighting the university’s island-based identity and academic strengths in agriculture, engineering, information technology, accountancy, business, and education.
Representing UniKL, Ms. Haslinawati Binti Besar Sa’aid, International Partnership Coordinator, shared the university’s specialization in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), including technology, vocational education, engineering, aviation, accountancy, and business. She emphasized that formalizing the partnership would create strong opportunities for faculty and student exchange mobility.
Dean Noel A. Bergonia of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) highlighted the strategic value of internationalization mobility in enhancing global university rankings and conveyed support for a benchmarking visit to UniKL to deepen collaborative engagement. Similarly, Dean Angela Eval of the College of Business and Accountancy of Romblon State University (RSU) underscored the importance of expanding RSU’s faculty and student mobility programs and strengthening benchmarking initiatives with the University of Kuala Lumpur.
The meeting was also attended by key members of RSU’s International Relations Office, reflecting the university’s strong institutional commitment to broadening international engagement and mobility opportunities.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with the institutions expressing their commitment to formalizing the partnership and advancing academic exchange, capacity-building initiatives, and sustained international collaboration.
