BRIDGING BORDERS: CSU ENHANCES ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS WITH TAIWANESE AND JAPANESE UNIVERSITIES

Cagayan State University recently hosted a conference titled “Bridging Borders: CSU’s Internationalization Initiative for Academic and Research Collaboration with Taiwan and Japan.” Held from September 2 to 5 across the Carig, Aparri and Gonzaga campuses, the event aimed to strengthen ties with international university partners through academic and research collaboration. The CSU Gonzaga Campus, under the leadership of CEO Froilan Pacris, played a key role in sponsoring the conference and ensuring a warm welcome for the foreign guests.

The conference commenced on September 2 with a roundtable discussion at the Carig campus, where OIC President Dr. Arthur G. Ibañez and CEO Engr. Roger Rumpon welcomed participants. Dr. Ibañez expressed his gratitude to the attendees and introduced the keynote speaker during the Conference at Gonzaga Campus, Professor Ichiro Sugimoto, Dean of the Faculty of International Liberal Arts. Other distinguished participants included Mr. Phrashant Gupta, an International Doctorate Student from Soka University in Japan; Ms. Hsinju Christine Liu, Director of the International Cooperation and Exchange Center at Fo Guang University; Ms. Hui-Kuei Hsieh, Section Chief for Foreign Language Teaching and Learning at Deh Yu University; and Dr. Kuo Jung Chao, Director of the Foreign Affairs Division at the National Chung Hsing University in Taiwan.

Throughout the conference, representatives from the various CSU campuses showcased their research initiatives and proposed short-term academic programs for collaboration. This collaborative effort aimed to identify mutual interests and establish frameworks for future partnerships, enhancing the academic offerings and research capabilities of all participating institutions.

In his remarks, Dr. Ibañez emphasized the conference’s objectives and the university’s vibrant academic environment.

“Your presence today signifies not only the importance of our collaborative efforts but also the commitment we share in advancing education, research and cultural exchange across borders. We are excited about the prospect of faculty exchange programs that will allow our educators to collaborate, share insights, and innovate together. Together, we can create pathways for academic excellence and research collaboration that will enrich our institutions and contribute to the greater good of our societies,” the OIC said.

CSU has established Memoranda of Understanding with these international universities and aims to activate these agreements through collaborative academic and research initiatives. The Gonzaga Campus also ensured that the foreign guests had a memorable experience during their stay, providing accommodations and fostering cultural exchanges that highlighted the university’s hospitality.

This conference was organized by the Office of the University President, through Executive Assistant and University Information Officer Dr. Ana Marie Cauilan, as an offshoot to her participation in a CSU delegation visit to universities in Taiwan and Japan, further supporting the university’s internationalization goals.