USLS strengthens internationalization practices post pandemic
The University of St. La Salle (USLS) is one in the discussion of internationalization initiatives as a critical feature of higher education in the global era and the necessity of international linkages in the generation of productive knowledge, innovation, and technology with the trifocal function of education, namely teaching and learning, research and engagement.
USLS, through the Center of Linkages and International Affairs, worked with the different colleges in the Higher Education Units in a collaborative effort to renew, update and initiate ties with 21 new MOUs and 7 MOAs in promoting internationalization in the new normal. The conduct of general lectures and webinars with the different local, national, and international partners given the limitation of the pandemic, and mobility of students with CHED AIMS in Japan, mobility grants from international HEI partners in Korea; credit transfer programs and virtual faculty exchanges and collaborative activities particularly in Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Mexico among others further made the international engagements more enriching to the Lasallian stakeholders with consideration on Internationalization at Home (IAH).
USLS Board of Trustees guaranteed support for our faculty and staff who have been working overtime to shift from face-to-face teaching to online platforms. Currently, Hyflex teaching and learning ensures continuity of learning in both the basic and higher education units, especially in online virtual student and faculty exchanges and collaborative activities with Soegijapranata Catholic University with the Credit Transfer Program, Universidad Lasalle Mexico for the COIL and Mirror Program, Fu Jen Catholic University, and with the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia among others. USLS responded to the challenges with the internationalization of teaching and learning by conducting training for technological skills enhancement of faculty and staff with international partners and re-tooling learning materials to suit the flexible online learning delivery among faculty.
Redesigning existing courses to make virtual learning more engaging to local and international students with credit transfer for student exchange; investing in reliable teacher and student-friendly Learning Management System (LMS); and enhancing Website applications in promoting admission and concern for local and international students. USLS has been recognized with Par Excellence Award as an Autonomous Higher Education Institution, a Center of Development in Teacher Education, and a special award for Best Learning Continuity Plan Implementation during the pandemic.
USLS also mobilized faculty internationalization champions to facilitate the information sharing from CHED IAS and International partners in collaboration with local partners specific to college concerns in enhancing the curriculum. The College of Education faculty with the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ricver Ureta, and President and Chancellor, Br. Joaquin Severino S. Martinez, FSC, went to Brussels, Belgium, for the Project FORTH presentation at the European Commission this November 2022.
With the lead from the USLS Center for Research and Engagement (CRE), research efforts promoted sharing the full circle of faculty and student outputs with efforts on virtual oral and poster presentations with virtual platforms on problems affecting the current new normal; enhancing faculty skills in proposal writing, article preparation, and international research publications and supporting faculty mobility for international research among partner HEIs with MOAs.
USLS found the pandemic an opportunity to partner for international support thru grants, collaborations, and innovation in dealing with the new normal. Currently, the Commission on Higher Education for Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) supported the exchange of an International Business student for Fall 2022 at the University of Tsukuba, Japan. Further, Keimyung University in Daegu, South Korea, together with the Korean Ministry of Education and the Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) granted five students to go on the Collective Action for Mobility Program of University Students in ASIA (CAMPUS ASIA)-AIMS.
