As a manifestation of the institution’s commitment to global engagement and regional collaboration, Saint Louis College of San Fernando, La Union (SLC-SFLU) joined the celebration of Northwestern University’s Internationalization Week at the NWU International House Function Hall in Laoag, Ilocos Norte. Guided by the theme “Strengthening ASEAN Academic Collaboration,” the event fostered cross-border academic partnerships among higher education institutions in Region 1 and the Universitas Persada Indonesia Y.A.I. This was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on June 13, 2025. Representing SLC-SFLU was Dr. Leo Esteene L. Galap, Global Affairs Officer.
The partnership centers on the promotion of cooperation based on the academic and educational needs of postgraduate and undergraduate programs, student and staff exchange, student mobility, guest lectures, joint research and publications, executive education and professional development programs, staff development, microcredentials, joint conferences, and other areas of mutual interest in educational projects.
During the event, CHED RO1 Director Dr. Christine Ferrer shared valuable visionary insights among the participants to further advance internationalization within the learning ecosystem of the higher education institutions of the region, emphasizing the interrelatedness of the pillars of internationalization, namely sector, institutions, systems, and persons.
The celebration also featured the Global Lecture Series, which included insightful presentations on the NWU PhilForesight Institute and the UNESCO Chair on Anticipatory Governance and Regenerative Cities. Also, Dr. Choirul Answar, the Director of the International Office of Universitas Persada Indonesia Y. A. I., shared innovative approaches to sustainable development and future-ready education within the ASEAN academic landscape during the session on Social Entrepreneurship.
