Eight Indonesian and one Thai pre-service students successfully completed their 28-day academic and cultural immersion under the 11th Batch of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange Program at Capiz State University (CAPSU).
The exchange students were formally recognized during a closing and testimonial ceremony held on February 5 at the CAPSU Dadivas Auditorium, attended by university officials, campus heads, and External Affairs and Linkages (EAL) chairpersons. The event also highlighted the strong partnership between the university and the Department of Education (DepEd), with representatives Dr. Analee A. Magallanes (Schools Division of Roxas City) and Ms. Yzarda Claudette D. Ballera (Division of Capiz) in attendance to support the student teachers.
Vice President for External Affairs and Linkages Dr. Salvacion J. Legaspi led the welcoming of all attendees. In her message, she offered words of encouragement to the nine outgoing exchange students while officially welcoming three new students from Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA), Indonesia. These newcomers are part of the Batch 11, arriving just as their peers concluded their journey, to begin their own month-long immersion at CAPSU.
University President Dr. Efren Linan highlighted the spirit of the exchange through the acronym T.E.A.C.H.: Trust, Empathy, Academic Excellence, Cultural Understanding and Hope. Dr. Linan emphasized that the university’s internationalization efforts have successfully “broken barriers,” allowing students to carry home more than just pedagogy. “You carry the stories, values, and perspectives that enrich our collective understanding of education in Southeast Asia,” he noted.
The atmosphere turned nostalgic as a video presentation, prepared by the Pilar Satellite College faculty, showcased the students’ activities both in and outside the classroom. This was followed by testimonials from the exchange students themselves, who expressed deep gratitude for the guidance they received from the cooperating teachers and host campus, and the “warm hospitality” of the Capizeños.
In appreciation of their host institution, the exchange students presented traditional songs and dances, showcasing the cultural exchange that defined their stay at CAPSU.
The program concluded with the awarding of Certificates of Appreciation to the cooperating schools and partner stakeholders. Prof. Malou B. Albor, University Director for International and National Affairs, formally closed the ceremony by acknowledging the “unwavering support” of the university administration and the tireless work of the EAL chairpersons who made the deployment a success.
| via Frederick D. Almeida, CAPSU Public Information Office