The Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) hosted a welcome program for faculty and student exchange participants from Universitas Muria Kudus (UMK), Indonesia, on January 28, 2025, at Nieto Hall, Sumacab Campus.

NEUST President Dr. Rhodora Jugo underscored the importance of international partnerships in academic and cultural development. She highlighted the shared commitment of both institutions to student and faculty welfare, stressing that collaboration through knowledge and resource-sharing enhances educational services. “The essence of this exchange lies in the beauty of diversity. Our cultures, though distinct, are bound by a shared commitment to the development of future generations,” she said.

NEUST Vice President for Administration, Business, and Finance, and concurrent Legal Officer, Atty. Bembol Castillo noted the cultural similarities between Filipinos and Indonesians, particularly their hospitality. He encouraged the participants to bring home valuable insights gained from NEUST.

Meanwhile, Atty. Eric G. Claudio, Director of the Office of International Affairs (OIA), discussed NEUST’s ongoing internationalization efforts and the role of global partnerships in strengthening its academic programs. “Please share your experiences and knowledge with your country because not everyone is given the opportunity to be part of such an endeavor,” he urged.

The exchange program, which runs from January 28 to February 8, 2025, has deployed three UMK faculty members including Dr. Richma Hidayati, Jayanti Putri Purwaningrum, and Diana Ermawati to the College of Education, while UMK Faculty of Law member Yusuf Istanto and students Zidane Febriano and Ananda Echa Pratama will be assigned to the College of Criminology. The NEUST Graduate School will also host Lisa Karlina, a Master of Arts in Education Major in English student.

“As educators, we share a profound responsibility to empower minds, develop, and inspire the next generation of leaders. Faculty and student exchange reminds us of the boundless potential that emerges when we work together,” Istanto remarked.

University officials, including Dr. Jo Neil Peria and Prof. Cristina Virginia Jimmy, along with faculty members and students from the College of Criminology, College of Education, and Graduate School, attended the event.

This exchange program is part of NEUST’s ongoing efforts to expand its international collaborations and promote cross-cultural academic engagement.

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