๐Œ๐ˆ๐‹๐„๐’๐“๐Ž๐๐„๐’ | ๐€๐ฌ๐ข๐š๐ง ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐š๐ข๐ง๐š๐›๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐š๐๐ฏ๐จ๐œ๐š๐ญ๐ž๐ฌ ๐œ๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ ๐ž ๐š๐ญ ๐“๐€๐” ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐ˆ๐ง๐ญโ€™๐ฅ ๐’๐ƒ๐†๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ญ๐œ๐š๐ฆ๐ฉ ๐˜๐ž๐š๐ซ ๐Ÿ Thirty-s

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๐Œ๐ˆ๐‹๐„๐’๐“๐Ž๐๐„๐’ | ๐€๐ฌ๐ข๐š๐ง ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐š๐ข๐ง๐š๐›๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐š๐๐ฏ๐จ๐œ๐š๐ญ๐ž๐ฌ ๐œ๐จ๐ง๐ฏ๐ž๐ซ๐ ๐ž ๐š๐ญ ๐“๐€๐” ๐Ÿ๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ž ๐ˆ๐ง๐ญโ€™๐ฅ ๐’๐ƒ๐†๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐จ๐ญ๐œ๐š๐ฆ๐ฉ ๐˜๐ž๐š๐ซ ๐Ÿ
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Thirty-seven sustainability champions from 14 higher education institutions (HEIs) representing five countries in Asia are now in Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) for the second edition of International SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) Bootcamp (ISB) which will run from 9 - 14 December.
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Consisting of 30 students and seven faculty mentors from the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and Thailand, the ISB operates fully in-person, enabling real-time interaction and comprehensive engagement for all participants.
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During the opening program, keynote speaker and Regional Director of Commission on Higher Education Regional Office I (CHEDRO I) Dr. Christine N. Ferrer focused her message on what SDGs represent and encouraged TAUians and ISB delegates to think globally, act locally, and forge partnerships across sectors and borders.
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โ€œYour presence today signifies a shared commitment to the purpose of internationalization and common understanding among our ASEAN nations. The theme of this bootcamp on SDGs is one that is close to my heart. Both during my time at TAU and now in my role at the Commission on Higher Education, I have witnessed firsthand the power of collaboration and internationalization in achieving ambitious goals,โ€ Dr. Ferrer underscored in a recorded speech.
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In his message delivered by Dr. Sonny DC. Torres, Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs (VPASA), TAU President Dr. Silverio Ramon DC. Salunson urged the audience to explore the unknowns and complexities of tomorrow and stated that sustainability is gradually becoming not just a goal but a necessity and a way of life. โ€œOur problems like resource depletion, socioeconomic inequalities, and climate change call for creative, inclusive, and dynamic interventions,โ€ he stated. The kickoff was also honored by CHEDRO III Regional Director Dr. Lora L. Yusi who extended her greetings through a video message.
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The event highlights exploring the UNโ€™s 17 SDGs, fostering idea exchange, building networks with experts, and experiencing Filipino culture. ISB plenary sessions cover essential topics such as the significance and interconnections of SDGs, the role of student leaders in advancing these goals, collaborative learning and teamwork, impactful SDG projects, and project planning and development.
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In addition to waived program fees, complimentary accommodations, meals, snacks, and airport transfers, ISB participants will also benefit from engaging campus tours, sessions for pitching dynamic project proposals, and an enriching cultural trip.
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First conducted in 2022 by the External Linkages and International Affairs (ELIA) Office in coordination with TAU colleges, ISB is a national finalist in the Outstanding International Education Awards category in the Commission on Higher Educationโ€™s (CHED) ICONS Awards in 2023. It fostered inclusive internationalization and was recognized for expanding students' access to global opportunities and by localizing and enhancing institutional programs through collaboration with both local and international partners.
Article | Information Unit
Photos | Planning and Development Office