The Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) strengthened its commitment to internationalization and global academic collaboration through its participation in the 2026 World University Association for Community Development (WUACD) Board Meeting held in conjunction with the 5th Molecular, Cellular and Life Sciences International Conference from October 13–16, 2026, at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Johor Bahru Campus and Pulai Springs Resort in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Hosted by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, ASCEND 2030, and WUACD, the gathering brought together academic leaders, researchers, and representatives of higher education institutions to promote scientific exchange, strengthen institutional partnerships, and advance the role of universities in addressing contemporary global challenges through research, innovation, and community engagement.
EVSU’s participation in the WUACD Board Meeting, through its Director for Internationalization Affairs, Prof. Faustito A. Aure, provided an opportunity to engage with fellow academic leaders and explore collaborative initiatives aligned with the University’s internationalization agenda.
Through WUACD, EVSU continues to pursue opportunities for research collaboration, knowledge sharing, academic mobility, and community-centered development initiatives with universities and institutions across borders. One of the highlights of the Board Meeting was the finalization and approval of the Programs and Projects of the Association in 2027.
EVSU will take the lead in the project Trainers Training in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management to member Universities to be held in Pakistan next year in conjunction with the International Conference on Community Development and Disaster Resilience, hosted by Bahria University in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The conference component likewise highlighted the significance of interdisciplinary research and scientific innovation, particularly in molecular, cellular, and life sciences. These areas offer opportunities for higher education institutions to strengthen research partnerships, exchange expertise, and contribute to scientific advancements that respond to societal needs.
Since the establishment of its internationalization initiatives in 2023, EVSU has expanded its network to more than 50 international academic partners worldwide and joined various international networks, consortia, and associations. These engagements have contributed to the University’s growing international visibility, including its participation in global university ranking and assessment initiatives such as Times Higher Education (THE), UI GreenMetric, and the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI).
Moving forward, EVSU aims to translate these international engagements into tangible, sustainable, and high-social-impact collaborations that benefit its faculty members, students, researchers, partner institutions, and the communities they serve. The University continues to recognize internationalization not merely as the establishment of institutional linkages, but as a strategic pathway toward improved academic quality, research productivity, innovation, and inclusive development.
Through sustained engagement with international academic organizations and partner universities, EVSU reaffirms its commitment to becoming a globally connected institution that advances knowledge, fosters innovation, and contributes to sustainable and inclusive development both locally and internationally.
Via | FAUSTITO A. AURE, MRD Director, Office of Internationalization Affairs
This article aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 04: Quality Education; SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; and SDG 13: Climate Action
