The University of Batangas Lipa City (UBLC), through its College of Education, Arts, and Sciences (CEAS), was awarded 2nd Runner-Up in the Outstanding International Education Programs Award at the CHED Internationalization Champions of Nation-Building and Sustainability (ICONS) Awards 2025, held on December 10, 2025, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). The recognition highlighted CEAS’s flagship initiative, “A First Step Beyond Borders: UBLC’s International Internship Program Opening Pathways to Global Opportunities,” for its contribution to global engagement and sustainable education.
The ICONS Awards, organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), recognize Philippine higher education institutions that demonstrate excellence in internationalization, sustainability, innovation, and nation-building, in alignment with global benchmarks and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The distinction conferred on University of Batangas Lipa underscores its strong commitment to UN SDG 4 (Quality Education) through the expansion of inclusive, equitable, and globally relevant learning opportunities, as well as UN SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering meaningful international collaborations that advance shared educational and developmental objectives.
CEAS’s international internship program and related initiatives were cited for strengthening student mobility and global exposure, equipping learners with cross-cultural competence, professional readiness, and a global perspective while remaining grounded in Filipino values. Throughout 2025, the UBLC recorded numerous internationalization achievements, including SEAMEO student and faculty exchange programs, international research, internship collaborations, and the publication and presentation of research papers in international forums.
These initiatives were further strengthened through sustained international research collaborations, as well as the publication and presentation of faculty and student research papers in international conferences and scholarly forums. In an interview, Dr. Minerva Chavez-Apita, Dean of the College of Education, Arts, and Sciences, described the milestone as the culmination of “small beginnings, steady growth, and shared commitment,” noting that CEAS’s internationalization efforts were driven not by abundant resources but by a clear and purposeful vision to open global learning opportunities for students while remaining anchored in Filipino values.
She emphasized that early engagement in programs such as the SEAMEO Student Exchange revealed the transformative impact of international exposure on students’ confidence, cultural sensitivity, and professional maturity, motivating the college to deepen its global initiatives. Over time, CEAS strengthened partnerships with international universities, institutionalized its processes, and ensured that internationalization was meaningfully integrated into instruction, research, and community engagement. Dr. Chavez further expressed appreciation for the collective efforts behind the recognition, acknowledging the students who represented CEAS abroad, the faculty members who mentored and guided them, and the university leaders whose sustained support made these initiatives possible. She added that the 2nd Runner-Up recognition at the CHED ICONS Awards 2025 serves not as a conclusion, but as an impetus to expand international partnerships, enhance student and faculty mobility, and pursue collaborative and virtual research opportunities that are inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to global developments.
Building on this recognition, CEAS is set to expand its network of international partners, increase inbound and outbound mobility, and strengthen collaborative and virtual research exchanges, ensuring that international education remains inclusive, sustainable, and responsive to global trends. The award affirms UBLC’s growing presence on the world stage and reinforces its role in advancing quality education, global competitiveness, and meaningful contributions to national development.