TAU kicks off regular student exchange program for second semester

Text by Mr. Jerome L. Duque (TAU-ELIA)

Photo by Mr. John Paul Q. Gordovin and Ms. Marjorie R. Gambol

What better way to celebrate Valentine's Day than by professing one's love for education? This is what exactly Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) pulled off as it admitted 33 international students from nine higher education institutions in Indonesia and Myanmar in the welcome ceremony of the Regular Student Exchange Program on 14 February.

A first in Bicol Region

            TAU signs deal with Cam Sur’s CBSUA

After months of exploratory talks and inception meetings, Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) formalized its partnership with Region V’s Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) through a Ceremonial Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at TAU’s Farmers’ Training Center on 2 March. CBSUA is TAU’s first official collaborating Higher Education Institution (HEI) in the Bicol Region.

CBSUA has a lot to offer to its partner higher education institutions. In 2020, it was recognized as one of the country’s top-performing state universities and colleges (SUCs) with the highest number of Level III accredited programs.

To streamline inter-institutional mobility

      TAU concerts with Indonesian, Taiwanese HEIs

By Mr. Jerome L. Duque and Mr. Abner P. Mañebog

“Our students are truly fortunate to be able to experience programs and activities that would allow them to explore various undertakings to help them realize their full potential.”

Dr. Max P. Guillermo

President, Tarlac Agricultural University

Twelve Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from Indonesia and one from Taiwan actively took part in the International Outbound Student Exchange and Internship Fair rolled out by Tarlac Agricultural University on 18 February.

Faculty representatives from TAU’s six colleges and coordinators from External Linkages and International Affairs (ELIA) oversaw their respective breakout sessions where they oriented HEI officials about their academic programs, salient policies, and relevant activities. Deputies from HEIs were also given opportunities to discuss their own collaborative agenda.

“We were able to decide on the schedule of outbound and inbound admission of practice teachers with five HEIs,” Ms. Analyn J. Alegado, ELIA coordinator from the College of Education, shared. Meanwhile, Mr. Jasyon J. Elenzano, ELIA coordinator from the College of Engineering and Technology, was impressed with the pitch of Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS). “ITS has world-class facilities and an academic environment worthy of emulation. These could be some of the reasons they excel in various global rankings,” Mr. Elenzano opined.

Meanwhile, in his message to TAU students, Dr. Max P. Guillermo, TAU President, urged TAUinians to maximize the internships to gain experience in a variety of jobs, roles, and industries. “Internships can teach skills that are in demand across industries such as teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving techniques,” Dr. Max quipped.

Students had a chance to inquire about internship programs of the HEIs of their choice. AB Economics student Argie P. Duque cannot help but express her excitement. “They are offering us with a lot of opportunities especially in our field of specialization,” Ms. Duque exclaimed. “I just hope that we qualify.”

HEIs from Indonesia include Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember Surabaya, Pangkep State Polytechnic of Agriculture, Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Ekonomi YKP Yogyakarta, Universitas Islam Malang, Universitas Muhammadiyah Buton, Universitas Muhammadiyah Parepare, Universitas Muhammadiyah Pontianak, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Universitas Pancasakti Tegal, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Universitas Tunas Pembangunan Surakarta, and University of Islam Malang. Taiwan’s National Pingtung University also supported the event.

Dr. Christine N. Ferrer, ELIA Director, expressed her gratitude and aspiration for a more comprehensive partnership agreement. “We can also do other areas of collaboration such as faculty joint research and collaborative online international learning,” Dr. Ferrer remarked.

PRB conducts inspection and monitoring at CAF’s Department of Forestry

The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) through the Professional Regulatory Board (PRB) for Foresters conducted an inspection and monitoring of the Department of Forestry of the College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF) last 2 March 2022.

Designated as a training and assessment center

     TAU propels English Language Education

Text by Mr. Jerome L. Duque

Photo by Ms. Carmina Sahagun-Melchor

To respond to growing concerns about students’ deteriorating language fluency and to lay out the foundation for national implementation, Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) launched its localized version of the project “Building the English Competitiveness of SUCs through English Proficiency.”

Filipinos, Singaporeans ponder on aging, sustainability, tradition

By Jerome L. Duque (TAU-ELIA)

Demographic changes have pushed countries to reevaluate their fiscal resources to respond to shifts in the healthcare and insurance sectors. Even infrastructures must be suited to respond to the specific needs of an aging population.

Higher Education Institutions, especially those from graying economies, are urged to lead nations in their preparations for such a future. To explore how Singapore and the Philippines can address these concerns, Temasek Polytechnic (TP) launched Befriender’s Program and collaborated with Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU).