Pursuing academic excellence and continuous institutional improvement, the Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) College of Education (CEd) - Laboratory School (LS) led by its principal, Dr. Milani C. Petero, conducts benchmarking activities in various institutions on 23 and 26 February, including Central Luzon State University (CLSU) Laboratory for Teaching and Learning, and Don Bosco Technical Institute โ Tarlac and Maliwalo National High School.
As part of the benchmarking initiative, TAU delegates engage in collaborative discussions and campus tours. Classroom observations are also conducted during the visits, allowing them to gain firsthand insights into instructional practices and the learning environment that supports effective teaching and learning styles.
These activities support the Laboratory Schoolโs ongoing preparations for the full implementation of the revised curriculum in the coming school year, reinforcing its commitment to quality education and continuous improvement.
Strengthening the initiatives for gender equality and womenโs empowerment in the University, Dr. Ma Theresa B. Nardo, Director of Gender and Development (GAD) office of Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) joined the 2nd Southeast Asian Womenโs Summit and the 8th National Womenโs Summit on 2-3 March at the Innovation Center of Miriam College in Quezon City.
Organized by the Women and Gender Institute (WAGI) of Miriam College, the summit gathered women leaders, scholars, policymakers, and civil society representatives from across Southeast Asia. The event carries the theme, โASEAN Leadership and Regional Cooperation: Where are the Women?โ and includes plenary dialogues and parallel sessions that discussed womenโs roles in ASEAN leadership, governance, and peace-building.
Dr. Nardo was joined by Dr. Marianne P. Villaruel, External Linkages and International Affairs (ELIA) Director, and Ms. Erika R. Prado, GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) member. They participated in the collaborative discussions led by speakers from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Women and Children.
International scholars and women advocates also talked about womenโs leadership, feminist knowledge, and regional collaboration on gender equality.
The said event helped the University to strengthen its regional collaboration on gender equality, womenโs leadership and policy engagement across Southeast Asia. Through the participation of its GAD representatives, TAU gains insights from regional experts and institutions that can help enhance gender-responsive programs, research, and community initiatives within the University.
โThe summit called for leadership and cooperation among women, and we had been asked where our women leaders were today. Our response echoes our determination to take action on issues that beset our communities. This happens when we no longer identify problems but work on solutions amid the challenges in the organizations where each leader belongs,โ said Dr. Nardo.
Dr. Nardo also highlighted that the summit provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge and reinforce collaboration with regional gender advocates.
Laying the groundwork for a significant leap in global academic standing, the members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) held a meeting at the Office of the President Conference Room on 12 February 2026, to strategize for the UI Greenmetric World University Rankings 2026 and for the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE WUR) 2027.
The session opened with a comprehensive synthesis of previous results presented by Mr. Jerome L. Duque, Information Officer III. He clarified that TAUโs current standing is a direct reflection of the data provided by various units. Mr. Duque also noted that while the university made strides in improving energy, water, and transportation metrics for the UI GreenMetric last year, a lower volume of research output remains a key reason the university's ranking has lagged.ย
โA major highlight of the meeting was the presentation of a structured framework by Dr. Sheila R. Lingaya, Assistant Director of External Linkages and International Affairs (ELIA). She introduced a document mapping out the specific indicators and evidence required for the upcoming ranking cycle, while urging the group to maintain open communication to ensure a unified approach. Consequently, Dr. Lingaya shared about a monitoring dashboard designed to keep the entire TAU community informed about the universityโs environmental footprint, specifically by tracking real-time data on waste and water consumption.
The group also discussed TAUโs current status as one of the few "Reporter" institutions in Region III. Dr. Lingaya remarked that while the university did not yet meet the eligibility criteria for a full rank, holding "Reporter" status confirms TAU's initial step toward meeting future ranking criteria โ an active participation and paves the way for full ranking in the coming years.
In line with this, the group discussed practical green initiatives such as the newly implemented "Carfree Friday" and the "DocTrax" system, which Mr. Duque praised for drastically reducing paper waste through digital document sharing.
To also ensure better collaboration with the administration, Mr. Sonny A. Santos, University Board Secretary V, highlighted the need for the Administrative Council (AdCo) to be actively involved in these technical strategies, a sentiment the members strongly supported. In which, Dr. Mariane P. Villaruel, Director for ELIA, mentioned that she serves as the representative of the Administrative Council, emphasizing a "bottom-up" approach to ensure that the TWG membersโ efforts will reach top leadership.
In closing, Dr. Villaruel summarized the key takeaways and provided clarifications on the next steps. The meeting successfully transformed raw data into a unified action plan, ensuring TAUโs journey toward a higher world ranking is organized, sustainable, and supported at every level of university leadership.
Officials from the Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) External Linkages and International Affairs (ELIA) office participated in the "Friends of Saskatchewan Networking Reception" hosted by the Government of Saskatchewan, Canada, at the Makati Diamond Residences on 24 February 2026, where they joined stakeholders from different universities to discuss strategic collaborations in trade, investment, research, and workforce development.
TAUโs representation through the ELIA Office composed of Dr. Marianne P. Villaruel, Director; Ms. Caroline N. Gabis, Chief for Partnership and Development; and Mr. Jayson J. Elenzano, Chief for Technical Support, helped strengthen TAUโs internationalization efforts by their active participation in this specific event exploring opportunities for potential research project collaborations that address challenges in agriculture, energy, mining, and advanced manufacturing.
The reception is a statement of Saskatchewanโs commitment to building sustainable, innovation-driven partnerships with the Philippines, aligning its shared priorities for economic growth and global competitiveness. Throughout the program, Saskatchewanโs representatives underscored the pivotal role in stabilizing global supply chains through its leadership in agriculture, energy, and mining.
The Office of External Linkages and International Affairs (ELIA) of Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) formally initiated a virtual meeting for a potential partnership with the University of Hawai`i West Oโahu held via Zoom on 20 February 2026.
The session commenced with Dr. Marianne P. Villaruel, Director of External Linkages and International Affairs (ELIA), who introduced the TAU participants and shared the Universityโs vision for expanding the global footprint. Following this, Ms. Caroline N. Gabis, Chief for Partnership Development of ELIA, introduced the potential partner to the meeting, setting the stage for a comprehensive presentation by Mr. Gian Otoman, International Program Coordinator, Office of Global Engagement at the University of Hawai`i, West Oโahu. Mr. Otoman introduced UH as an institution and detailed the specific exchange programs, providing a roadmap that both universities can benefit from cross-cultural academic immersion.
Although this potential partnership is currently in the developmental phase, this initiative marks a significant milestone for TAU as it seeks to align itself with international institutions. Establishing a rapport with UH offers TAU an opportunity to enhance its curriculum through global practices and provide its students with invaluable exposure to diverse global academic and cultural environments.
