𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐒 | 𝐓𝐀𝐔 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲

𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄𝐒 | 𝐓𝐀𝐔 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐃𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐲

The Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) through the initiative of the External Linkages and International (ELIA) office led by its Director Dr. Marianne P. Villaruel,  co-hosted and actively participated in a three-day international virtual convergence on gastronomic tourism, food diplomacy, and sustainability as part of a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiative led by Quirino State University via Zoom from 28-30 April.

The 2026 International Spring Convergence on Gastronomic Tourism, Food Diplomacy and Sustainability partner institutions included Palawan State University, Urdaneta City University, Marinduque State University, Mindoro State University, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Bandung Islamic University (Indonesia), and Howard University (USA). The theme was "Culinary Heritage and Food Innovation for a Resilient and Sustainable Future."

TAU President Dr. Silverio R. Ramos delivered a welcome message during the convergence. Students and faculty from the College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF), College of Education (CEd), and College of Business and Management (CBM) participated voluntarily following a university memorandum encouraging global academic engagement.

𝗧𝗔𝗨 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀

Three TAU faculty members served as resource speakers: Ms. Maricar Estrada, PFT, from CAF under the Department of Food Science and Technology discussed integrating food science principles into heritage preservation and sustainable product development; Mr. Jefferson L. Bautista from CEd presented pedagogical approaches to embedding culinary heritage and food diplomacy into school curricula; and Mr. Mark Lawrence Y. Dupitas, also from CEd, delivered a presentation on food literacy, community engagement, and cultural identity.

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀

The convergence provided a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration in gastronomy, tourism, and sustainable development. Partner institutions exchanged research findings, best practices, and models for using food as a tool for diplomacy, cultural preservation, and community empowerment. TAU officials underscored that the University remains committed to internationalization, research collaboration, and sustainability through continued global partnerships.