The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) recognized higher education institutions with outstanding internationalization initiatives in the monumental Awarding Ceremony of the First Philippine Higher Education Internationalization Award.
The award initiative, in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education, bestowed tangible recognition to HEIs that implemented internationalization initiatives even during the time of major disruption in education. As stated by UPOU Chancellor Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria during the Awarding Ceremony, “The Philippine Higher Education Internationalization Award is meant to give due recognition to these HEIs that courageously and passionately threaded through unchartered water so to speak.”
Nominations were evaluated in terms of responsiveness, impact, creativity and innovativeness, inclusivity, and sustainability.
Philippine Normal University (PNU) bagged the first prize of the PHE Internationalization Award for their internationalization program built strong through years of various student services, joint and collaborative research, and extension programs. The second place was awarded to the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific for promoting exemplary gender equality in the field dominated by men. St. Paul University Philippines received the third prize for their strong and sustainable internationalization program for inbound and outbound students.
Fourteen more institutions were also recognized for their internationalization initiatives with features that made them stand out from the rest:
University of the Philippines Manila College of Public Health
Saint Louis University
Ateneo de Manila University
Central Bicol State University of Agriculture
Our Lady of Fatima University
Ateneo de Davao University
Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology
Iloilo Science and Technology University
Aklan State University
Central Luzon State University
Capiz State University
San Pedro College
Samar State University
Cebu Technological University
All awardees will receive the Internationalization Award Trophy designed and sculpted by UP Artist II and Professor Emeritus Grace Javier Alfonso. Cash prizes amounting to Php 20,000, Php 15,000 and Php 10,000 will also be given to the top three award winners.
The Awarding Ceremony was virtually held with over 26,000 views last 19 May 2021 as part of the 27th Founding Anniversary Celebration of the Commission on Higher Education.
Congratulations to all awardees. Padayon!
