Quezon City, Philippines — Marinduque State University (MarSU) participated in the University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) General Assembly held at the CHED HEDC Building in UP Diliman, Quezon City, on February 26, 2025. The event also featured the election of the new Board of Officers for UMAP Philippines. As a lifetime member of UMAP, MarSU continues to enhance its global presence by offering its students access to diverse international exchange programs and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) experiences through UMAP’s extensive network of higher education institutions across the Asia-Pacific region.

UMAP serves as a vital platform for fostering international understanding through student and staff mobility. Since the Philippines became a full member of UMAP in 2001, it has benefited from increased academic cooperation, joint research opportunities, and cross-cultural exchange. MarSU’s participation in this event, represented by Ms. Jholey Rose R. Leaño-Lancion, Director for the International Relations Office, and Ms. Lenie Z. Rodriguez, Executive Assistant to the University President, reflects the university’s commitment to advancing internationalization. This endeavor is strongly supported by University President, Prof. Dr. Diosdado P. Zulueta, whose leadership continues to drive MarSU’s global engagement.
The assembly centered on sharing best practices for the internationalization of Philippine Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs), overcoming barriers to mobility, and strengthening academic cooperation across borders. This gathering provided a platform for exchanging academic innovations and enriching curricular offerings, reinforcing the importance of global partnerships in advancing quality higher education in the Philippines.
MarSU’s participation in the UMAP General Assembly aligns with the broader goals of promoting quality education, reducing inequalities, and fostering global partnerships for sustainable development. Through these international collaborations, MarSU not only enhances its academic offerings but also contributes to the ongoing movement toward inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all. By engaging with UMAP, the university continues to create opportunities for its students and faculty to gain valuable global experiences, strengthening both their academic and cultural understanding in today’s interconnected world.
[D. Sto. Domingo | Photo credits: CHED Sir Renz]#EmpoweringMindsTransformingLives #MarinduqueStateUniversity #SDG4QualityEducation #SDG17PartnershipsfortheGoals #Internationalization #FromtheHearttotheWord