SLSU, TVU Conduct Strategic Planning Workshop on Transnational Graduate Education Program
Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), Philippines, in partnership with Tra Vinh University (TVU), Vietnam, conducted a Strategic Planning Workshop on the EdD Transnational Graduate Education Program on September 19, 2025, at St. Mark Hotel, Cebu City. The event was organized and attended by SLSU Vice Presidents, the ELIA Office, Campus Officials of SLSU-TO, office heads, and faculty members from the Faculty of the Graduate Education Program, alongside representatives from TVU. The activity aimed to align standards, policies, and implementation schemes in preparation for the joint doctoral program.
The event opened with the welcome address delivered by Dr. Constantino G. Medilo, Jr., Vice President for Academic Affairs of SLSU. He emphasized the role of education as a force for national transformation and highlighted the significance of the program as an institutional investment to develop leaders in educational management, policy, and supervision. Dr. Ingrid M. Uy, Director of External Linkages and International Affairs, presented the objectives and overview of the workshop, followed by Dr. Huy Thông Nguyễn, Deputy Director of the International Education Institute of TVU, who shared TVU’s expectations and strategic directions. He noted that international collaboration allows universities not only to advance academic standards but also to learn from each other’s systems, particularly in adapting policies and implementing programs within different national contexts.
The first workshop session on the Alignment of Standards, Policies, and Regulatory Requirements was facilitated by Dr. Norla Grace A. Betarmos, Dean of the Faculty of Teacher Education at SLSU, together with Ms. Nguyễn Thị Mai Khanh, International Affairs Director of TVU. Discussions focused on harmonizing quality assurance systems, aligning policies, and ensuring compliance with institutional and regulatory frameworks. A presentation on the proposed EdD curriculum structure and course schedule followed, leading to the second workshop on implementation schemes. These workshops explored strategies for program delivery, quality assurance, and collaborative mechanisms that would support the long-term sustainability of the transnational program.
The day’s proceedings were synthesized by Mr. Mark Donald Oja, Director of Instruction, who highlighted the importance of collective decision-making and emphasized the long-term academic and societal impact of the program. In the closing message, Dr. Dewoowoogen P. Baclayon, Vice President for Administration and Finance, stressed that the outcomes of the workshop would have a lasting effect on both universities, further encouraging active participation and contribution from all stakeholders.
The activity reflected the shared commitment of both institutions to strengthen transnational higher education and advance collaborative initiatives in Asia. This collaboration supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education, by fostering inclusive, equitable, and globally competitive graduate programs.
