The Philippine Normal University (PNU), the country’s National Center for Teacher Education, formally welcomed international guests during a courtesy visit to University President Dr. Bert J. Tuga. The visit underscored the University’s sustained commitment to global engagement in teacher education. The guests included Dr. Roberta Piazza, a Full Professor of Education from the University of Catania, Italy, and Mr. Josse Caers, an exchange student from UC Leuven (UCLL), Belgium.
Dr. Piazza is visiting PNU under the PROGETTO LEGO – Italy–East Asia Cooperation Program. Her visit, scheduled from February 8 to 15, 2026, focuses on advanced and doctoral-level teacher training, emphasizing innovative teaching strategies, professional and transversal skills development, and international academic collaboration. As Deputy Coordinator of the University of Catania’s secondary school teacher training program, Dr. Piazza seeks to engage in academic dialogue, observe institutional practices, and exchange insights on strengthening secondary teacher preparation within an international and intercultural context.
Also present was Mr. Caers, a secondary education major with concentrations in Mathematics and Physics. He will conduct his Practice Teaching Internship from February to June 2026 at a public high school in Manila, where he will gain firsthand teaching experience under the supervision of PNU faculty and partner schools.
During the meeting, President Tuga expressed PNU’s appreciation for the growing academic partnerships with European institutions and emphasized the University’s openness to collaborative research, faculty exchange, and student mobility initiatives. Discussions centered on shared goals in teacher education, professional development, and the preparation of globally competent educators.
This visit reflects PNU’s continuing efforts to strengthen international linkages and foster mutual learning through meaningful academic exchanges, reinforcing its vision of advancing teacher education within a global framework.
