The Commission on Higher Education Caraga Regional Office (CHED Caraga) successfully conducted the Capacity Building for Transnational Higher Education for Caraga Higher Education Institutions International Relations Officers (HEI IROs) cum 2nd Regional Conference on Internationalization at Dottie’s Place Hotel, Butuan City on November 26, 2024. This landmark event brought together key HEI stakeholders to strengthen the foundation and advancement of the region’s higher education internationalization efforts.

Dr. Julia Felisa C. Martinez, LPT, Chief Education Program Specialist, delivered the welcome message and rationale for the conference. The morning sessions explored the Caraga Higher Education Internationalization Landscape, discussed by Ms. Kershey Reign E. Dueñas, Transnational Higher Education Officer.

Dr. Glenn Arthur A. Garcia, Director of the Office of Internationalization and Global Engagements at Caraga State University, shared best practices in cultivating international partnerships and academic mobility.

Keynote introductions were handled by Mr. Amy C. Saavedra, MSc., leading to insightful discussions on the Transnational Higher Education or TNHE Law (Republic Act 11448) and the establishment of TNHE programs in the regions, discussed by Atty. Ednalyn Grace Viste, Co-Lead for Transnational Higher Education from the CHED International Affairs Office. This was followed by an insightful panel discussion where participants were able to seek clarifications and guidance regarding the implementation of TNHE and internationalization projects.

The afternoon sessions provided a broader perspective for Caraga HEI IROs with Mr. Jay Ahon, TNHE Officer from CHED Regional Office XI, discussing internationalization in the perspective of Region 11. The afternoon also featured an in-depth learning session on the development of the institutional Strategic Internationalization Plan (SIP) with Dr. Daisy T. Besing, Director of the Institutional Planning Division from the University of Southeastern Philippines.

Mr. Saavedra concluded the conference with a closing message, encapsulating the day’s achievements and ways forward.

This conference marked a monumental step towards strengthening the internationalization competitiveness of the Caraga higher education community.