Malang, Indonesia – October 30, 2025. The University of Batangas Lipa City (UBLC), through its College of Education, Arts, and Sciences (CEAS), continues to advance its internationalization efforts with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with two esteemed Indonesian institutions – Universitas Borneo Tarakan and the Faculty of Computer Science (FILKOM) of Universitas Brawijaya held on October 30, 2025. The partnership signifies UBLC’s steadfast commitment to fostering global cooperation in education, research, and cultural exchange.
The newly established MOU and MOA aim to strengthen academic collaboration through faculty and student exchanges, joint research projects, curriculum advancement, and participation in international seminars and conferences. These initiatives are expected to promote innovation, broaden academic opportunities, and deepen cross-cultural understanding among partner institutions.
Representing the University of Batangas Lipa Campus during the ceremonial signing were Ms. May Marcell Corneja and Ms. Krisha Marie Subing-Subing, faculty members from CEAS, whose active participation underscores the College’s integral role in expanding UBLC’s global academic network. On the other hand, Universitas Borneo Tarakan and Universitas Brawijaya were represented by their faculty and officials visiting the Philippines under the SEAMEO SEA Teacher Exchange Program and the FILKOM Academic and Cultural Exchange (FACE IT 2025).
The event formalized UBLC’s academic partnerships and reinforced a shared vision to advance educational innovation, strengthen research capacity, and build sustainable international relationships. A post-signing fellowship and dialogue were held to discuss possible collaborative programs, highlighting both institutions’ eagerness to translate their agreements into tangible academic initiatives.
Parallel to the signing, the Psychology Department of UBLC conducted a benchmarking visit at Universitas Brawijaya in Malang, Indonesia, on the same date. The benchmarking activity, also part of UBLC’s internationalization agenda, sought to enhance the Department’s curriculum development and research practices by adopting global standards and learning from the best educational models in Southeast Asia.
During the visit, UBLC’s Psychology faculty engaged in academic discussions with the Dean and professors of the Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Brawijaya, who shared insights into their instructional strategies, laboratory facilities, student support systems, and ongoing research initiatives. The benchmarking covered key focus areas such as curriculum alignment with international standards, research development, mental health and counseling programs, and community extension activities integrating psychology-based interventions.
Both universities also explored future collaborations, including student exchange programs, joint research projects, and international academic events. The UBLC delegates expressed their intent to apply the knowledge gained to further improve psychology education at the University, ensuring that students are prepared for global professional landscapes.
The partnership and benchmarking visit mark another milestone in UBLC’s continuing pursuit of academic excellence and global engagement. These initiatives underscore the University’s steadfast commitment to its internationalization efforts, which are expected to come to fruition in the years ahead – allowing UBLC to bring the best of its academic and research capabilities to the global stage.
By fostering sustained collaboration with internationally recognized institutions, UBLC continues to learn from the best practices within the ASEAN region. These partnerships ensure that its programs, faculty, and students remain aligned with global standards, reaffirming the University of Batangas Lipa City’s mission to cultivate graduates who are not only academically competent but also equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.