The Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST), through the College of Management and Business Technology (CMBT) and the Office of International Affairs, concluded its two-week academic and cultural exchange with Universitas Brawijaya, Indonesia, today, October 30, 2026, at Rico Fajardo Hall, Sumacab Campus.

The engagement provided the visiting delegates with opportunities to participate in academic activities, explore hospitality and business management practices, and experience Filipino culture through a series of classroom engagements, facility visits, and cultural immersion activities.

As part of the academic component, the delegates participated in classroom observations, lectures, and hands-on learning sessions in hospitality and business management, including exposure to NEUST’s Virtual Reality Laboratory, Property Management System, and Point-of-Sale System.

Complementing these activities were industry and cultural immersions in Nueva Ecija and Manila, where the delegates experienced Filipino language and culture classes, local street food, traditional games, Filipino song coaching, and a boodle fight, alongside visits to local destinations and activities at NEUST Gabaldon Campus that highlighted local culinary traditions and hospitality and tourism practices.

During the closing program, CMBT International Affairs Focal Person Dr. Dean Alec De Leon presented the highlights of the engagement and reflected on the value of internationalization in fostering openness to different perspectives and appreciation of cultural differences.

“These activities remind us that internationalization is not simply about crossing geographical boundaries. It is about opening ourselves to new perspectives, learning from one another, and recognizing the value of our differences and shared experiences,” Dr. De Leon emphasized.

Meanwhile, Department of Tourism Management Head Dr. Kelvin Julius Nueda, in his closing remarks, highlighted the friendships and connections formed throughout the exchange, emphasizing that the experience extended beyond the places visited and activities undertaken.

“Today is more than just the conclusion of a cultural exchange program. It is a celebration of friendship, shared experiences, and the wonderful connections we built between Indonesia and the Philippines. And I believe this program has given us exactly that. Not just destinations to remember, but people, stories, and friendship to transfer to our Indonesian students,” Dr. Nueda shared.

Also present during the closing program were CMBT Dean Dr. Sarah Alvarez and Director of the Office of International Affairs Atty. Eric Claudio, PhD, along with faculty members, staff, and student buddies who contributed to the implementation of the exchange.

The completion of the program marked another step in the continuing academic collaboration between NEUST and Universitas Brawijaya, bringing together academic learning, cultural understanding, and shared experiences that can serve as a foundation for future cooperation in education, research, and extension.

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