The University of Batangas Lipa City (UBLC), through the College of Education, Arts, and Sciences (CEAS), marked the successful conclusion of the SEAMEO Exchange Program with a farewell and cultural show honoring exchange students from Universitas Jambi and Universitas Borneo Tarakan, Indonesia. The culminating activity celebrated the students’ academic immersion, cultural engagement, and strengthened institutional partnerships fostered during their stay at UBLC.
Held at the CEAS Teachers’ Education Program Simulation Room, the event highlighted the collaborative efforts of faculty and students in delivering a meaningful exchange experience. The program also reaffirmed the existing partnership between UBLC and its Indonesian partner universities, which continues to pave the way for academic collaboration, research initiatives, faculty and student exchanges, and future joint programs.
The SEAMEO Exchange Program aims to promote cross-cultural understanding and academic enrichment by providing participants with exposure to host-country educational systems and cultural traditions. At UBLC, exchange students engaged in structured academic activities, classroom observations, and community interactions designed to offer a holistic perspective of Philippine education and culture.
According to Mr. Nikko Laylo, the SEAMEO SEA Teacher Program Focal Person, said the program required close coordination between UBLC and partner institutions to ensure alignment of expectations and successful implementation. He emphasized that the carefully planned balance of academic and cultural activities enabled students to gain meaningful insights while fostering mutual respect and collaboration among participating institutions.
Mr. Laylo also noted that the SEAMEO SEA Teacher Program serves as a key driver of internationalization within UBLC and CEAS, acting as the foundation for many of the campus’s global engagements. Through this initiative, UBLC has established its presence in regional academic networks, expanded international linkages, and strengthened cooperation with Southeast Asian partner universities. As a direct outcome of these efforts, UBLC was recognized by ICON and awarded the Internationalization Award as Second Runner-Up, affirming the program’s impact on the university’s global standing.
The farewell and cultural show marked the end of the exchange students’ stay and reinforced UBLC’s commitment to quality, inclusive, and globally engaged education. The initiative aligns with the University’s support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) by expanding meaningful learning opportunities beyond borders, and Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by cultivating sustainable international collaborations that advance shared academic and cultural objectives.