BukSU partners with HEIs in ASEAN for virtual mobility program

MALAYBALAY CITY (OP-IPS) Bukidnon State University, through its International Affairs Unit, collaborated with P2A (Passage to ASEAN) organization and three universities in the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) in Organizing a P2A Virtual Mobility Program called “e-Xchange Program in Language and Social Behavior.”

The P2A virtual mobility program was in cooperation with the Binus University-Indonesia, Burapha University International College-Thailand, and Universitas Sultan Agung-Indonesia. The six-session virtual event was scheduled on August 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, and 13, 2021 (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3:00-4:30pm). The theme for this year’s program is “How the Language I Speak Influence the Way I Behave”.

The event was intended for student-participants from the three countries to share and exchange ideas and experiences pertaining to their distinct languages and cultural practices. It was also organized for them to have a better understanding about other people with different backgrounds and cultures.
Fifteen BukSU students from the College of Education, College of Technologies, College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Business participated in the sessions.

The students and their courses were Darius Leo L. Castada II (BSE Filipino), Kristine Jane G. Dongogan (BSE Social Studies), Kristine Joy G. Dongogan (BSE Social Studies), Jade Lewis Naparan (BSE Social Studies), Asha Kate T. Rojo (BSE English), Precious Jane O. Pagasi-an (BSE English), Karen Grace L. Irag (ComDev), Chelsea Asiñero (DevCom), Ceos Mark Pronto (BS Philo), Michelle Grace S. Nilogao (BS Math), Jia Lyn A. Idul (BS-ES Environmental Heritage Studies), Geths Van C. Villa (BS InfoTech), Ardie Jane B. Cabonillas (BS Food Tech), Jhenseen D. Hapayon (BS Auto Tech), and Jeanette Quirong (BSBA).

The students were assigned to five groups with 10 members in each group made up of two students coming from each of the participating universities. The multicultural groups were able to come up with their final projects – creative video productions about language and culture which were showcased in the culminating session.
BukSU students also presented a pre-recorded video of a cultural presentation – a Bukidnon dance in one of the sessions, which became one of the highlights of the event.

Collectively, the participants were able to experience an international student mobility virtual event where they were given the opportunity to work and collaborate with other students from the other ASEAN HEIs in producing projects/ outputs which were presented on the last day of the conference.
The students learned negotiation and people skills by using proper and respectful language with persons belonging to different cultures/ races. The student-participants were also able to gain insights from the talks about Language, Social Behavior and Culture.

The BukSU IAU staff were also given a unique opportunity to spearhead an international event and to mobilize activities and resources to make the activity possible. This is done through close collaboration with representatives from HEIs in the ASEAN. Indeed, the activity was an actual walk-through of the processes and arrangements involved in hosting an international student virtual event involving students from universities of different cultural backgrounds.

The speakers in the virtual mobility program’s sessions were: Dr. Krittipat Pitchayadejanant; Ms. Farah Mutiasari Djalal; Ms. Nailil Muna; Dr. Debby Lubis; Dr. Hataipat Phungpumkaew, Ms. Vorrapob Vivatvanit, and Ms. Loreta Sol Dinlayan. The culminating activity also featured panel members from the different participating universities – Dr. Lorenzo B. Dinlayan, Jr., Dr. David Bourne, Dr. Farah Mutiasari Djalal and two of the speakers – Ms. Muna and Dr. Pitchayadejanant. Mr. Jake Peras, a BukSU instructor also served as moderator/ master of ceremony in two events –Opening program and the Culminating activity. (Rowena F. Egargo, International Affairs Staff)