The College of Teacher Education (CTE) and Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM) students, together with the CTE faculty headed by Dr. Juvy O. Baso, participated in the academic and cultural exchange program titled “Bridging Borders: Advancing Academic Learning & Culture” held at Tupay-ya Gymnasium on November 4, 2026. The event formally opened with welcome remarks from School President Dr. Sherry Junette Tagle, who highlighted the importance of building partnerships and strengthening institutional connections through shared academic goals, cultural exchange, and collaborative learning.
The first resource speaker, Dr. Hj. Imelda Wahyuni, M.Pd.I., Dean of the Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, presented two research studies: “Green Environmental Management Practices in Schools in the Implementation of the Deming Cycle: A Narrative Inquiry Approach” (2024) and “Children’s Environmental Identity Development with Descriptive Information Phenomenology Approach.” Her presentations emphasized the shared responsibility of educational institutions, teachers, students, and families in promoting environmental sustainability. She highlighted that
maintaining cleanliness and developing environmental awareness require collective action and consistent practices. She also underscored how meaningful experiences, such as school gardening activities, strengthen children’s connection with nature.
Meanwhile, the second speaker, Muh. Kurniawan, M.Pd., Head of Global Partnership at the International Office and Language Teacher, facilitated an interactive Bahasa Indonesia language-learning session. Through basic greetings, conversational expressions, and culturally appropriate ways of addressing people, participants gained practical language knowledge while developing a deeper appreciation of Indonesian culture. These sessions demonstrated how sharing expertise, educational practices, and cultural knowledge can strengthen partnerships across institutions and
communities.
Overall, the academic and cultural exchange program served as a meaningful platform for advancing partnerships toward shared goals through academic collaboration, environmental responsibility, and intercultural understanding. By bringing together educators and students from different academic and cultural backgrounds, the program emphasized that achieving meaningful educational and social progress requires collective efforts, mutual learning, and shared responsibility. It further reinforced the value of building connections beyond institutional boundaries to develop globally aware, environmentally responsible, and culturally sensitive learners.
Article by: Delailyn M. Luciap I English Faculty
