In line with its continuous pursuit to generate new knowledge that are geared towards the development of relevant and technical higher-order skills needed to compete in the knowledge economy, the University of the Cordilleras (UC) is committed to strengthening its internationalization competitiveness.
The University believes that to help in the realization of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, the Philippines’ AmBisyon Natin 2040, and the ideals of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), it needs to assume a more active stance in producing graduates who are locally committed, globally engaged, and are ready to take on the demands of today’s globalized world.
Internationalization has been one of the top priorities of UC. Internationalization is embedded in all the key results area in the University’s current strategic plan. For instance, in the key results area on education, the university is working towards the enhancement of the global skills and competence of its faculty through mobilization programs in the form of faculty exchange, acceptance of visiting professors and experts, strengthening of research collaboration programs with foreign institutions, and attendance in international training and conferences, among others.
International partnership agreements and external grants have enabled the University to send faculty members, staff, and students to various academic programs, training, conferences, and events in countries like the United States, Canada, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, China, and Malaysia. The said academic mobility initiatives have been very beneficial to the UC community. Upon their return to UC, the grantees were able to share their experiences with their colleagues, conduct impactful projects and programs, and initiate policy reforms that are inspired by the new learning experiences and exposure they have acquired abroad.
In 2020, the UC Institute for Innovative Learning and International Cooperation (UC-IILIC) was created to lead in the realization of the University’s collective long-term vision and aspirations towards the internationalization of its academic programs and services. This office was then renamed into the Global Engagements Office (GEO) in November 2024. Along with the renaming, its vision, mission, and goals were also realigned to focus solely on the internationalization initiatives of the University to ensure that the enhancement of global skills and faculty members, as well as the formation of international partnerships, will be achieved.
The Global Engagements Office is an administrative office under the Office of the President and is the office primarily responsible in dealing with international partners and in designing, developing, and delivering meaningful and sustainable transnational collaborative programs.
Vision, Mission, and Goals
Vision
A University that is conducive to produce graduates who are locally committed, globally engaged, and are ready to take on the demands of today’s globalized world.
Mission
To attain this vision, University of the Cordilleras, through the Global Engagements Office, shall lead the internationalization of the university through strategic partnership with local and international institutions in developing and implementing meaningful and productive home-based and external internationalization opportunities.
Goals
The goals of the Global Engagements Office focus on producing international opportunities through the formation of transnational partnerships, increase global competitiveness by preparing students and faculty for international opportunities, and facilitate international programs and initiatives that align with the university’s vision and mission.
International Linkages
- IULM University, Italy
- Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain
- University of Alicante, Spain
- Pusan National University, South Korea
- University of Ghent, Belgium
- Emporia State University, Kansas, USA
- University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, USA
- Institut Kesehatan Immanuel, Indonesia
- Kun Shan University, Taiwan
- Cheng Shiu University, Taiwan
- Minghsin University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
- Silesian University of Technology, Poland
- University of West Attica, Greece
- Universiti Sains Malaysia
- Universiti Utara Malaysia
- Sunway University, Malaysia
- Goon International College, Malaysia
- National University of Battambang, Cambodia
- Svay Rieng University, Cambodia
Strategic Institutional Linkages
Beyond our specific university partnerships, the University of the Cordilleras is an active participant in premier international education consortia. These memberships provide our community with expanded access to high-impact global programs, fairs, and collaborative grants.
EHEF: European Higher Education Fair Network
As a frequent participant and regional hub of the European Higher Education Fair (EHEF), GEO connects UC students and faculty to a wide array of academic pathways across the European Union.
INTACT Base: International Talent Circulation Base (Taiwan-Philippines) Consortium
INTACT Base serves as the primary bridge for the INTENSE Program (International Industrial Talents Education Special Program), a flagship initiative of the Taiwan Ministry of Education. This consortium focuses on developing top-tier global talent through:
- Industry-Linked Scholarships: Full financial support for students in high-demand fields like STEM, Semiconductors, and Finance.
- Direct Career Pathways: A specialized “study-to-work” model that includes industry-sponsored stipends, paid internships, and guaranteed job placement in Taiwan’s leading industries upon graduation.
- Specialized Mandarin Training:
- Integrated Courses: Language modules built directly into the program to ensure cultural and professional readiness for the global workplace.
- Dedicated Mandarin Classes: Intensive, standalone language training sessions designed to build high-level proficiency and prepare participants for official language certification and career advancement.
CSAP: Consortium for Study Abroad in the Philippines
Administered by the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF/Fulbright Philippines), the Consortium for Study Abroad in the Philippines (CSAP) is a vital link between the U.S. and Philippine higher education sectors. Our involvement in CSAP allows UC to:
- Host Global Scholars: Welcome American faculty and students for cultural and academic immersion on our campus.
- Strengthen U.S. Ties: Access standardized toolkits and best practices for internationalization developed through the Fulbright Commission.