๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ | ๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐ญ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ฆ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฅ
Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) held a hybrid closing ceremony to honor the completion of the International Credit Transfer Program for the students of Universitas Pancasakti (UPS) Tegal, Indonesia on 15 December 2025 via Zoom and face-to-face at the TAU Agritourism Hostel.ย
The ceremony marked the conclusion of a semester-long academic journey, during which the Indonesian students namely Harris Fadillah who enrolled in the College of Engineering and Technology (CET), Aslih Auladhana who engaged in the College of Business and Management (CBM), as well as Ignacia Efie Liya Rini, Berliana Maharani and Denawa Lutfiana who belonged to the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) immersed themselves in the Philippines, fostering cross-cultural understanding and academic growth in TAU.ย
The event commenced with a solemn ecumenical prayer followed by the singing of the national anthems of both the Philippines and Indonesia. Dr. Mariella Alexes Espiritu, Director of the Office of Curriculum and Instruction (OCI), delivered the opening remarks on behalf of Dr. Sonny DC. Torres, Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dien Noviany Rachmatika, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at UPS, who joined via zoom extended her sincere gratitude to TAU and expressed deep commitment to fostering a continued partnership in exchange programs.
Dr. Marianne P. Villaruel, Director of External Linkages and International Affairs (ELIA), also expressed her gratitude to the entire TAU community and the UPS faculty for their unwavering support. In her message, she highlighted the significance of the studentsโ cultural immersion trips with which they gained experiences that transformed them into true global ambassadors. Dr. Villaruel also noted her optimism for building greater opportunities through institutional collaboration in the future.ย
This was followed by the presentation of certificates to the students of UPS. They also took the center stage to share their personal reflections and experiences during their stay. While their academic journey at TAU was the primary focus, the students also spoke fondly of their cultural immersion trips in Baguio City, Metro Manila, and Tarlac City in which they engaged with the local community and discovered the culture of their host province.
ELIA Chief for Partnership Development, Ms. Caroline N. Gabis, led the presentation of the Certificates of Appreciation, recognizing the dedication of everyone involved in the programโs success including the deans of the Colleges and the lecturers of the courses where the exchange students enrolled. Said lecturers and instructors who guided the Indonesian students through their courses also shared heartwarming messages for the UPS Tegal students. Mr. Von Carlo R. Pangilinan represented CAS, Mr. Bryan Paul Danganan from CET, and Ms. Angelai Bucsit on behalf of CBM.
To showcase the rich heritage of the Philippines, the TAU Performing Guild also delivered a high energy performance of traditional cultural dance for the closing performance.ย
Concluding the program; Dr. Sheila R. Lingaya, ELIA Assistant Director and Chief for International Mobility, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the students for choosing TAU as their host institution. She thanked them for trusting TAU with their academic and cultural journey.
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Text and Photos | Ann Xylih R. Calma [External Linkages and International Affairs]
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