WVSU International and Local Linkages Office - ILLO

[𝐊𝐒𝐈 𝐈𝐥𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐨-𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲]

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐣𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐈𝐥𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐨 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲

Another meaningful semester has officially come to a close!

The King Sejong Institute Iloilo successfully concluded its 2026 First Semester Closing Ceremony (2026 상반기 수료식), celebrating the hard work, dedication, and achievements of our students from Beginner to Advanced Korean language levels.

This semester, KSI Iloilo proudly recognized 126 student completers, together with the awarding of Perfect Attendance awardees (개근상) and Top Scorers from each level for their outstanding performance and commitment throughout the semester.

The event became even more meaningful as students, teachers, faculty members, and guests gathered to celebrate another successful journey of learning Korean language and culture.

Congratulations once again to all our completers, awardees, and students!

여러분 정말 수고 많으셨습니다! ✨

See you again next semester! 💙💛

#상반기수료식

𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘆𝗮𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆, through the 𝗗𝗮𝗴𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗺𝗯𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀 and the 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 & 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 (ILLO), proudly hosted the 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐅𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐛 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔, officially commencing Day 1 with meaningful conversations, knowledge exchange, and immersive field exposure here in Iloilo.

The program opened at West Visayas State University through a courtesy visit and roundtable discussion participated in by distinguished leaders including 𝗛𝗼𝗻. 𝗟𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗟. 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮, Vice Mayor of Iloilo City and 𝗠𝘀. 𝗘𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗦. 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗖𝘀𝗼𝗸𝗮, Director of the International & Local Linkages Office. Discussions were further enriched through the participation and support of the 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 (CENRO) and the 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 (GSO) in promoting environmental awareness, sustainability initiatives, and community collaboration.

A significant highlight of the day was the visit to 𝗕𝗿𝗴𝘆. 𝗔𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻, 𝗧𝗶𝗴𝗯𝗮𝘂𝗮𝗻, 𝗜𝗹𝗼𝗶𝗹𝗼, where journalists and delegates from the 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀, 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗮, 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝘂𝗮 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗮, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗷𝗶 immersed themselves in the stories and advocacies of the local community through SANCTUARIUM MARIS. Guided by 𝗛𝗼𝗻. 𝗘𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗶ñ𝗮, Barangay Captain, together with the associations of women, youth, and fisherfolks, the delegation witnessed grassroots efforts toward marine conservation and community empowerment. Community interviews facilitated through 𝗛𝗼𝗻. 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗼 further showcased the resilience, collaboration, and environmental stewardship present within the barangay.

The learning experience continued at 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗙𝗗𝗘𝗖 - 𝗔𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, where delegates explored marine science initiatives and innovations dedicated to sustainable aquatic resource management through the guidance of 𝗠𝗿. 𝗗𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗼, Chief of SEAFDEC/AQD, the 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 headed by 𝗗𝗿. 𝗘𝗱𝗴𝗮𝗿 𝗖. 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝗿, and 𝗠𝗿. 𝗥𝗲𝘅 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗮𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗮, Head of the Development Communications Section.

From university halls to coastal communities, Day 1 became a celebration of journalism, international collaboration, and shared commitment toward sustainability and people-centered storytelling.

West Visayas State University (WVSU) joins the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) anniversary celebration.

At the 2nd International Relations Officers (IROs) Convergence of the Regional Office VI, held at the Central Administration Boardroom of Capiz State University - Main Campus with the theme "ACHIEVEing Impact-Driven Internationalization Strategies: International Relations Convergence”, WVSU was represented by the Director of the International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO), Ms Edel Carmela S. Subong-Csoka, who is also the President of the Western Visayas Council of IROs; Dr May Joy Fernandez, IZN coordinator of WVSU-Calinog Campus, and Mr. Christopher Palmares, IZN coordinator of the College of Nursing.

Ms Subong-Csoka delivered the accomplishment report of the University's internationalization (IZN) initiatives and milestones.

Ms. Mabel Gutierrez, the Officer-in-Charge Chief Education Program Specialist of CHED IAS, opened the program, stressing the importance of sustainable collaborations.

Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer , Director IV and Director-in-Charge of CHED International Affairs Service, discussed the important role of the IROs in the higher education institutions, highlighting key qualities and skills. Dr. Ferrer also highlighted the relevant policies of the Commission that serve as guide for internationalization-related operations.

Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, the Secretary of the Commission on Higher Education, emphasized that Internationalization is “no longer about sending students or faculty abroad or attending conferences” but rather creating transformative learning environments, expanding research collaboration and innovation, and sharing that Filipino learners are globally competent yet “grounded with our identity”.

The 2nd International Relations Officers (IROs) Convergence gathered international relations officers from state universities and colleges, private higher education institutions, and local colleges in the region.

West Visayas State University was represented by the Director of the International and Local Linkages Office, Ms Edel Carmela S. Subong-Csoka, who delivered the accomplishment report of the University's internationalization (IZN) initiatives and milestones; Dr May Joy Fernandez, IZN coordinator of WVSU-Calinog Campus, and Mr. Christopher Palmares, IZN coordinator of the College of Nursing.

The King Sejong Institute Iloilo , a special project of WVSU's College of Arts and Sciences, ,will be offering the following FREE summer classes:

• EPS-TOPIK
• Sejong Korean Introductory Course
• Sejong Korean Culture 1
• Korean Traditional Clothing Paper Folding Class

These free special classes aim to further promote Korean language and cultural education among students and the wider community during the summer period.

For reference, the official KSI Iloilo Facebook post may be accessed through the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FmvbHFaea/

The Commission on Higher Education International Affairs Service (CHED IAS) joins the entire nation in celebrating the National Higher Education Day and CHED Founding Anniversary!

Enacted under Republic Act No. 11522, National Higher Education Day is celebrated every May 18 to commemorate the official founding of CHED in 1994 through Republic Act No. 7722, also known as the Higher Education Act of 1994. This historic transition separated tertiary education from the broader Department of Education, Culture, and Sports, creating a dedicated governing body to steer the higher education system of the country toward growth, academic freedom, and structural excellence.

Over the last three decades, this milestone has served as an annual reminder of our collective pursuit of accessible, quality education for every Filipino.

Today, we continue to champion the brilliance of Filipino students, educators, staff, and Higher Education Institutions as we elevate Philippine higher education onto the global stage.

Through strategic international partnerships, transnational education, and global academic collaborations, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering a globally competitive and inclusive future for all.

To our local institutions, international partners, and academic communities, thank you for being our vital partners in fostering a borderless horizon for Filipino talent and intellect.

Let us continue to connect, collaborate, and conquer global heights!

Happy Birthday to 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗘𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗖𝘀𝗼𝗸𝗮, Director of the International and Local Linkages Office, West Visayas State University (WVSU)!

A true champion of internationalization, Prof. Edel has been instrumental in building global bridges for WVSU—connecting the university to institutions around the world and empowering students and faculty through meaningful international partnerships.

Her visionary leadership, passion for global education, and unwavering commitment to excellence continue to inspire everyone she works with.

On this special day, we honor not just your achievements, but the heart, dedication, and brilliance behind them. May your year ahead be filled with continued success, joy, and boundless opportunities.

Happy Birthday, Prof. Edel! Your impact transcends borders!ECarmz S-c

𝟱𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗩𝗦𝗨 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘆

Educators, students, researchers, and peace advocates gathered at the College of Education – NAB 110 of West Visayas State University on May 9, 2026 for the 5th West Visayas Peace Education Forum.

Anchored on the theme “Blessed Victoria Diez Memorial Lecture: Openness and Dialogue,” the forum featured discussions on peacebuilding, dialogue, and education as foundations for a more inclusive and harmonious society.

Dr. Rodgen M. Jabor, Peace Educator and Researcher, underscored the importance of education in cultivating empathy, responsible citizenship, and mutual understanding among communities.

Ms. Edel Carmela S. Subong-Csoka, Director of the International and Local Linkages Office, emphasized that peace education plays a significant role in shaping future generations and fostering global understanding.

“Peace education is the key in solving global problems. It is not an overnight solution, but if we teach our students at a young age about its value, we are creating a peaceful world one step at a time. As to internationalization, networking and forging partnerships will not prosper without peace,” she said.

The forum also showcased research presentations from educators and students across Iloilo, promoting the exchange of peace education initiatives and best practices.

Joint efforts of the WVSU – Center for Peace Education (CPE), ILLO, University Learning Resource Center, Department of Education Region VI, WVSU College of Education – Graduate School (Peace Education Class), and the Department of Guidance and Values Education made the activity possible.