The Philippine Normal University (PNU), through its Linkages and International Office, continues to strengthen its global academic footprint through the successful implementation of its recent International Experiential Learning Program (IELP), highlighting the active scholarly engagement of its faculty members across partner universities in Thailand and Indonesia.
Beyond their supervisory roles for PNU practice teachers abroad, participating faculty members served as visiting lecturers, delivering magisterial lectures and engaging in high-level academic exchanges that fostered curriculum innovation, research collaboration, and intercultural understanding.
At Kasetsart University in Thailand, Dr. Maria P. Fatima Dolendo of PNU Visayas actively contributed to academic discussions, emphasizing experiential and reflective teaching practices. Her participation reinforced PNU’s commitment to immersive international learning and professional exchange among teacher education institutions.
In Indonesia, Dr. Amor F. Loniza, Executive Director and Provost of PNU South Luzon, engaged with Universitas Kristen Indonesia through focused discussions on strengthening early childhood education. The session highlighted inclusive pedagogical strategies, policy alignment, and contextualized learning approaches essential to early childhood development in diverse educational settings.
Meanwhile, Dr. Celia M. Ilanan, Dean of the College of Alternative and Lifelong Learning, and Dr. Ma. Arsenia C. Gomez, Director of the Research Management Office, delivered a magisterial lecture on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The lecture examined the Indonesian education framework vis-à-vis the Philippine curriculum. It also underscored shared regional commitments to sustainability, quality education, and global citizenship through curriculum integration.
At Universitas Negeri Malang, Prof. Steve B. Anapi of PNU Manila presented “From Intention to Interaction: Reimagining Mathematics Teaching Through Didactical Situation and Lesson Study.” His lecture explored innovative mathematics instruction grounded in lesson study, emphasizing reflective practice and collaborative teaching models that resonated strongly with faculty members and pre-service teachers.
Cultural education likewise took center stage at Universitas Negeri Semarang, where Prof. Irma L. Escobia, also of PNU Manila, delivered “Dancing Culture: Philippine Folk Dances as Heritage and Wellness.” The lecture highlighted Philippine folk dances not only as expressions of cultural heritage but also as vehicles for promoting holistic wellness, drawing strong interest from scholars in arts, physical education, and cultural studies.
Collectively, these engagements affirmed that PNU faculty members were not merely chaperones to student teachers but active academic ambassadors—contributing scholarly expertise, advancing international dialogue, and strengthening institutional partnerships. The International Experiential Learning Program thus stands as a testament to PNU’s mission to internationalize teacher education, where faculty leadership, cultural exchange, and academic excellence converge on the global stage.
