BukSU Faculty Selected for AE Alumni Meet PH 2026

Ms. Rachel-Anne Valera, faculty member of the Language and Letters Department and Program Chair for Faculty Mobility of the International Affairs and Linkages Unit, represented the university at the AE Alumni Meet PH 2026, held on March 7–8, 2026 at the Bayview Park Hotel.

Alumni of the American English (AE) professional development programs across the Philippines came to exchange best practices, strengthen professional networks, and explore innovative approaches in English language teaching.

Valera was selected from among numerous AE alumni nationwide, highlighting her continued engagement in international professional development initiatives, reflecting a shared commitment among BukSU educators to advancing English language education and fostering global perspectives in the classroom.

According to Valera, the involvement of BukSU faculty in AE programs also reflects the longstanding engagement of the university’s Language and Letters Department in American English initiatives. Since 2016, the department has been active in implementing and participating in AE-related professional development activities, including webinars, trainings, and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) designed to strengthen English language teaching and intercultural competence.

In 2024, Valeracompleted the Massive Open Online Course Teaching English for Critical Intercultural Awareness offered by World Learning and sponsored by the Online Professional English Network of the U.S. Department of State.

Since 2017, she has completed multiple MOOCs under the program, strengthening her expertise in English language teaching, intercultural communication, and innovative pedagogies.

Her participation in the AE Alumni Meet PH 2026 underscores Bukidnon State University’s continuous efforts toward internationalization through active engagement in global professional development and academic collaboration.

Moreover, the involvement of faculty members in international learning communities reinforces the commitment of the university’s Language and Letters Department to sustain its distinction as a Center of Excellence in the English Program in Mindanao, ensuring that its educators remain globally competitive and responsive to the evolving demands of language education.

The celebration’s theme was “80 Years Strong, 250 Years Inspired: Transforming Education through Alumni Expertise and Experiential Learning.” (With report from Rachel-Anne Valera/ Faculty, Language and Letters Department)