In celebration of 54 years of existence of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) and 19 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the ASEAN bloc, hosted the Internationalization and ASEAN Festival which featured competitions and webinars focusing on the region’s culture, arts, and contemporary issues.
Conducted from 25 August until 26 November, the activity was an attempt to address the demands and cope with the implications of internationalization and ASEAN integration. It was also a part of the EduTourism Program, a Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-funded project proposed by Dr Christine N. Ferrer, Director of TAU – External Linkages and International Affairs.
“TAU, together with its partners, is expected to play a role of promoting awareness, sense of community, and deeper understanding and appreciation of the ASEAN diversity,” Dr Ferrer explained.
The three-month event incorporated the following competitions: ASEAN Cuisine; ASEAN Creative National Costume; ASEAN Digital Photography; ASEAN Storytelling; ASEAN Dances; ASEAN Essay Writing; and ASEAN Video Production. TAU delegates seized second place in ASEAN Creative National Costume and third place in ASEAN Video Production. All winners will receive cash prizes and certificates.
Though comprising mainly of contests, Dr. Max P. Guillermo, TAU President, stressed that the affair is not an avenue to vie for supremacy but to forge stronger bonds and to support global cooperation and solidarity. “TAU and its partners must expand reach and visibility in the global arena. We must all embrace the challenges and opportunities of internationalization,” he added.
TAU collaborated with 11 HEIs from the Philippines which include Camarines Sur Polytechnic College (CSPC), Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU), Romblon State University, (RSU) Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISTU), Aklan State University (ASU), Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology (NONESCOST), Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), Agusan Del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology (ASSCAT), Bukidnon State University (BukSU), Surigao Del Sur State University (SDSSU), and Western Mindanao State University (WMSU).
Also, eight HEIs represented their respective countries in Internationalization and ASEAN Festival: Royal University of Law and Economics of Cambodia; Universitas Pendidikan Ganesha (Undiksha) of Indonesia; Dongkhamxang Agriculture Technical College of Laos; Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM); Kyaing Tong University (KTU) of Myanmar; Temasek Polytechnic of Singapore; Chiang Rai Rajabhat University (CRRU) of Thailand; and Duy Tan University (DTU) of Vietnam.
Moreover, KTU’s president, Dr. San San Mar, commended the coordinators of the program. “Although it was held virtually, we can see the effort in every part of the event,” she underscored. Dr. San San also expressed her gratitude as their participation in the ASEAN Festival paved the way for the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between KTU and TAU. Though relatively new in internationalization undertakings, KTU students were able to haul two first places in ASEAN Cuisine and ASEAN Digital Photography.
Aside from the inter-institutional contests, several HEIs also hosted online conferences. SLSU commenced the webinar series with a forum on “Opportunities and Challenges in a Growing ASEAN Region” on 14 October. ASSCAT spearheaded a session on “Wetlands Conservation and Protection in Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary” on 20 October while Indonesia’s Undiksha led an info session on preparing ASEAN university graduates for an international career on 25 October.