The University of Batangas Lipa City (UBLC) sealed its partnership with Prof. Dr. Yahya Ahmad Zein, SH., MH, President of Universitas Borneo Tarakan (UBT), and Dr. Arifin M., Pd., Dean of the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, during the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Signing Ceremony held on November 24, 2025 at the UBLC campus. The event marked another milestone in UBLC’s continuing efforts to expand its international collaborations and academic partnerships.
In her opening remarks, University President Lily Marlene J. Hernandez-Bohn expressed appreciation for the strengthened relationship between UBLC and UBT. She highlighted the existing academic exchanges under the SEAMEO Teacher Program, with two UBLC students currently deployed in UBT and one UBT student welcomed to UBLC. She emphasized that the deepening partnership is grounded on shared cultural values, regional ties, and a common vision for quality education and international cooperation.
The MOU formalizes areas of collaboration, including student and faculty exchanges, joint research initiatives, curriculum advancement, and the exploration of dual diploma and professional programs. Dr. Arifin affirmed UBT’s commitment to academic mobility, research support, and mutual exchange opportunities that will allow students and professors from both institutions to benefit from cross-cultural learning and international exposure.
During the program’s closing, the College of Education, Arts, and Sciences (CEAS) underscored how the partnership began. The conception of the MOU traces back to a simple message exchanged within a professional group chat that included Dr. Chavez and Dr. Arifin. UBT had expressed interest in finding a partner institution in the Philippines, and UBLC aligned with its internationalization agenda – responded promptly. Through proactive communication initiated by CEAS, discussions progressed steadily, leading to formal coordination, exploratory meetings, and eventually the development of a comprehensive academic partnership. What began as a brief exchange in a messaging platform has now grown into a collaborative undertaking involving research partnerships, a student exchange program, dual diploma opportunities, and faculty exchange initiatives between UBLC and UBT.
Prof. Dr. Zein highlighted the significance of the partnership, describing it as a commitment to expand UBT’s global network and strengthen academic collaboration across borders. He shared that while the initial engagements will focus on the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, future expansions will cover broader fields such as engineering, law, business, agriculture, fisheries, social sciences, and technology.
Through this strengthened partnership, UBLC advances its commitment to promoting global academic cooperation, enriching cross-cultural learning, and enhancing mobility opportunities for students and faculty. These initiatives affirm the University’s dedication to UN Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) 4: Quality Education by broadening access to inclusive and globally relevant learning experiences, and UNSDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by fostering sustainable, strategic, and mutually beneficial international collaborations that contribute to shared academic and community development.