Selected Practice Teachers of the Philippine Normal University (PNU) paid a courtesy visit to University President Dr. Bert J. Tuga ahead of their departure for the 2026 International Experiential Learning Program (IELP) – Practice Teaching, scheduled from January 24 to February 28, 2026.
The meeting, held on January 26, 2026, at the PNU Executive Lounge and Board Room, was attended by President Tuga; Vice President for Student Success and Stakeholder Services Dr. Leah Amor S. Cortez; and faculty chaperones who will also serve as guest lecturers in PNU’s partner universities abroad. These include Dr. Celia Ilanan, Dr. Voltaire Villanueva, Dr. Ma. Arsenia Gomez, and Dr. Ma. Fatima Dolendo of PNU Visayas, as well as Professors Steve Anapi and Irma Escobia from the Faculty of General Education and Experiential Learning (FGEEL).
The courtesy call provided an opportunity for the Practice Teachers to personally meet the University President and formally express their gratitude for the institutional support extended to them as they prepare for their international teaching engagement. During the visit, President Tuga conveyed his encouragement and support, underscoring the importance of professionalism, cultural sensitivity, and excellence as the participants represent both the University and the Philippines in the global academic community.
Spearheaded by the Linkages and International Office (LIO), the International Experiential Learning Program is a month-long academic and practice teaching initiative that will deploy forty-four (44) selected pre-service teachers to partner higher education institutions and affiliated schools across Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, participants will be assigned to the Academy of Policy and Development and FPT University–Danang. In Thailand, pre-service teachers will be hosted by Kasetsart University. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, participants will be deployed to Universitas Kristen Indonesia, Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), and Universitas Negeri Malang (UM).
The program integrates supervised practice teaching, classroom observation, academic engagement, and cultural immersion activities designed to strengthen instructional competence, intercultural understanding, and professional readiness among pre-service teachers.
Aligned with PNU’s mandate as the National Center for Teacher Education, the initiative aims to enhance the global exposure of future Filipino educators while strengthening the University’s regional engagement within the ASEAN education community. It likewise advances PNU’s internationalization thrust by expanding equitable access to short-term, high-impact international mobility opportunities for pre-service teachers across the PNU System.
The courtesy visit also served as a moment of reflection and inspiration for the Practice Teachers as they embark on their international journey. President Tuga emphasized that the program is not merely an academic requirement, but a platform for cultural exchange, leadership development, and nation representation, reminding the participants that they carry with them the values and standards of PNU as they engage with international partner institutions.
The 2026 International Experiential Learning Program is implemented and monitored by the Linkages and International Office in coordination with the concerned academic units, the Student Affairs and Services Office (SASO), the Faculty of General Education and Experiential Learning (FGEEL), and partner institutions abroad. Through this initiative, PNU continues to demonstrate its commitment to developing globally competent, culturally responsive, and professionally grounded teachers prepared to thrive in diverse educational contexts.
