The Doctor of Education students of the ISAT U College of Education Graduate School conducted a Study Visit in Luzon on June 13 to 15, 2023. They were accompanied by ISAT U President Dr. Raul F. Muyong, their professor in the course Global Trends and Issues in Education, in the multidisciplinary discussions with the administrators of Philippine Normal University (PNU), National Teachers College (NTC), Bulacan State University (BulSU), Polytechnic University of the Philippines Open University System (PUP OUS) and the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP), respectively.
The first day of the Study Visit was on June 13, 2023 at PNU and NTC. There were enriching exchanges during the discussion on education megatrends, issues in the Philippine basic education and higher education, curriculum innovation, and management of educational institutions among others. On one hand, PNU is the National Center for Teacher Education in the country, and the Doctor of Education students were given the opportunity to learn more about their educational and research frameworks, which are being used to prepare the university to be future-ready. On the other hand, NTC is a private, non-sectarian educational institution located in Quiapo, Manila. The college has been preparing teachers for over 50 years and is one of the country’s pioneers in higher education training. In fact, ISAT U faculty members were recipients of the Flexible Learning Modalities training championed by NTC at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Together with Dr. Muyong, the Doctor of Education students visited Bulacan State University (BulSU) on June 14, 2023 – the second day of their study visit. Bulacan State University (BulSU) prides itself with its state-of-the-art library, which houses various book collections, audio-visual rooms, an amphitheater, a cafeteria, student and faculty lounges, individual and group study rooms, and meeting rooms among others. Furthermore, the ISAT U doctorate students learned BulSU’s student policy programs, internal quality assurance, testing and evaluation, OBE framework, Small Private Online Courses (SPOC), and its Conceive, Design, Implementation, and Operation (CDIO) framework.
The three-day Study Visit was capped with discussions on best practices, library resources, technology integration in instruction, educational trends both national and international, issues on quality assurance, revisiting of the curricula and its continuous development, retention policies, and internationalization of education at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Open University 
System (PUP OUS) and Technological University of the Philippines (TUP), respectively. PUP OUS is an institutional cohort of ISAT U and is advocating lifelong learning for adults from all walks of life. Micro-credentials in a variety of fields are available to almost everyone seeking growth and development through higher education. Moreover, TUP is a state university founded in 1901 as the Manila Trade School and has later evolved into a technical vocational school. The university is known for its strong emphasis on practical and hands-on learning, with state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories for research and development.
The Study Visit led by Dr. Muyong ended, but the experiences and knowledge gained by his Doctor of Education students left an indelible mark as they continue teaching, touching, and transforming lives the Tradean way.
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By Jieza J. Napone, LPT
the theme, “No to Waste: Advancing Circular Economy to Beat Plastic Pollution. Also, the University’s participation is in accordance with the following Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 4- Quality Education, SDG 5- Gender Equality, SDG 12- Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13- Climate Action, and SDG 17- Partnership for the Goals.
Vice President for External Affairs Dr. Nemia H. Mabaquiao, challenged everyone to contribute in attaining the objectives of the month-long celebration.
The internationalization of education places an emphasis not just on the interactions between and among people, institutions, countries, cultures, and systems but most importantly, it allows for the integration of an international, intercultural, and global dimension into the processes, policies, teaching and learning, research, production, and other service functions of a higher education institution. However, there is yet to be a set of indicators for an internationalized university. Apparently, there is no “one size fits all” internationalization model. Internationalization of education is a process of transformation that is adapted to the specific requirements and objectives of each higher education organization. ISAT U must therefore choose its own unique strategy for internationalization based on its well-stated vision, mission, goals, objectives, and anticipated outcomes. Furthermore, the University also acknowledges the need to learn and collaborate with international universities to study their respective internationalization processes driven by assessment of priorities, current global trends, and numerous beneficial initiatives.
international higher education standards, some of the ISAT U Board of Regents and some of the Administrative Council members led by University President, Dr. Raul. F. Muyong, conducted a schools visit and collaboration talks with the following institutions: (1) Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan, Malaysia (2) Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, (3) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, (4) Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan, Malaysia and (4) Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore. The rest of the delegation was composed of Dr. Carmelo V. Ambut – Vice President for Research and Extension, Dr. Gabriel M. Salistre, Jr., – Vice President for Administration and Finance, Dr. Nemia H. Mabaquiao – Vice President for External Affairs, Hon. Erafil Joy Cabangal – Student Regent, Hon. Samuel Arsulo – Faculty Regent, Hon. Leo Sombiro – Regent representing the Alumni, Hon. Rowen Gelonga – Regent representing the Department of Science and Technology, Hon. Jessraf Palmares, Regent representing the Private Sector, Hon. Eddie Cañuto – Regent representing Hon. Francis Joseph G. Escudero (Chairperson, Committee on Education, Culture and Arts – Senate of the Philippines).
The ISAT U international schools visit and collaboration talks allowed the delegates to make a school performance comparison. This comparison can help identify areas of strengths and weaknesses and provide insights into how ISAT U can improve its overall performance in its tripartite function. Best practices of the five institutions in Malaysia and Singapore were presented which helped the delegates identify those that have been effective so they may study them further, and look into the possibility of incorporating them in the ISAT U academic community which may lead to better outcomes. Furthermore, the collaboration talks were also able to rouse motivation for innovation by exposing administrators and the Board of Regents to new ideas and approaches. The delegates further learned about the educational landscape of Malaysia and Singapore, their national imperatives; the polytechnic sector of both countries; and international initiatives on research, instruction, scholarships, marketing; and human resource policies.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The international activity supports SDG No. 4: Quality Education, SDG No. 8: Decent Work Economic Growth, and SDG No. 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The Global Goals can only be met if people in the academic institution, industry, and communities work together. To build a better world, people in various sectors need to be supportive, sympathetic, resourceful, enthusiastic, and most importantly, cooperative.