SAN BEDA UNIVERSITY (SBU), through the Linkages and International Affairs (LIA) Office, engaged in an eco-friendly quest during the fifth International Linkages Week (ILW) with the theme, “Integrative and Collaborative Education Initiatives for Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD),” last October 23 to 27. 

Dr. Tita Branzuela, the Vice President for Linkages and International Affairs, revealed that ILW 2023 was anchored on Laudato Si’, an environmental encyclical, and SBU’s commitment to the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

“This is to gather meaningful activities related with Laudato Si’, since we also already decided to launch it and for San Beda as green Laudato Si’ university,” Dr. Branzuela in an interview as she cited the targeted goal for this year’s ILW conduct. 

As to the process taken into consideration for the management of the week-event, Dr. Branzuela affirmed that based on the institutional office’s major vision and mission, they continuously provide integrative opportunities to all SBU’s academic departments and offices. 

Administrators, faculty, along with Bedan students and staff participated and linked with the various green activities of ILW 2023. 

In conjunction with the Integrated Basic Education Department (IBED), the ILW held its pre-opening activity on the 21st of October, entitled ‘Unity with the Community: A Tree Planting Activity’ which took place within the vicinity of Rizal, Antipolo.  To kick off the ILW, on October 23, a Eucharistic celebration spearheaded by the Campus Ministry Office (CMO) was celebrated at the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat. 

Following this was the Leveraging Education Across Partnerships (LEAP) Conference held at the Jonathan Sy Auditorium. In which, different international partner networks were present, specifically, Mr. Lucrecio D. Delgado, Jr., Regional Director of Wadhani Entrepreneur Southeast Asia (Wadhani Foundation, USA); Dr. Roden S. Mama, Managing Director of Philippines Operations (Pacific Link College, Canada); and, Prof. Dr. Nik Maheran Binti Nik Muhammad, President of Regional Network on Poverty Eradication (RENPER), (University Malaysia Kelantan, Malaysia). 

Moreover, on October 24, a dialogue on the Garbage Reduction and Ecological Enhancement Network (GREEN) was also held at the Jonathan Sy Auditorium. When asked about the notable programs, Dr. Branzuela expressed her inclination that all LIA events be met with preparation and action. “’Yung sa garbage reduction, we try to think about it and discuss initially with the concerned possible offices who’ll be with us. For us, it’s really to do something,” he shared. 

The dialogue was graced by Dr. Brent Allen Jones, Professor of Konan University (Japan); Dr. Julio O. Castillo, Jr., Founding Chairman of AKBAY KALIKASAN; Mr. Glenn Chatelier, Director of Office of International Affairs (Assumption University, Thailand); and EnP Lilia Casanova, Vice President for National Capital Region (NCR), Solid Waste Management Association of the Philippines (SWAPP). 

On October 25, the Research and Development Center was responsible for the HyFlex Seminar on Qualitative Research, held at the SBU Multi-Media Room. Dr. Feorillo Petronilo A. Demetrio III of De La Salle University (DLSU) and the Executive Director of the Research and Grant Management Office (RGMO) took part in the said program. 

Following this, on October 26, officers, and student leaders from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) marched into the walls of SBU. The University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the PMA.  

Dr. Branzuela shared that the MOU was a very special partnership as it came as a surprise. “Actually, from our end, we were informed that they were interested to be partners with us and collaborate on so many things, so from there, nag-initiate na ako ng initial communication with them. We tried to look at our usual standard MOU, usually ano siya eh, general provisions on academics, research, community engagements covering administrators, faculty, staff and students so madali, makikita mo doon in case may gusto kang gawin, faculty exchange, andoon, nakapasok siya doon,” she further stressed out. 

On that same day, a Blood Donation Project was conducted with the help of the Community Engagement Center (CEC), the Department of Health (DOH), and the College of Medicine (COM). 

For the closing ceremonies, on October 27, the Manuel V. Pangilinan-Information and Communications Technology Center (MVP-ICTC), with Mr. Fernando Mulia, Deputy Executive Director of the ASEAN Learning Network (ALN), administered a Global Impact in Designing Publicity Materials.  

Overall, the academe, industry, Government agencies, and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) partners helped celebrate the fifth ILW with SBU. 

Dr. Branzuela expressed her pleasure with the event’s turnout and excellent evaluation, “Kasi ever since naman talaga ‘yun sa events ng international especially during our meetings, academic and administrator council so, since they participate, we’re also happy, we’re all happy with the accomplishment, so for me, it’s really something na it’s well, cooperative effort of everybody so masaya,” she shared. 

The University’s LIA head also guaranteed the maintenance of excellence in each LIA activity as they continue to align with Laudato Si, and partner with other universities abroad which focus on SDGs. 

To draw a close, Dr. Branzuela, a volunteer at heart, ended by saying that “we are here together, we are called to a mission, as professionals especially for the students onwards, main thing is to just give your mind, heart and your hands in full service for our common goal, ‘yun lang naman talaga and that will make all of us happy and doing things will not be a burden.” 

(with Paolo Vital)