Showcasing its best practices in international education, the University of Northern Philippines, through Dr. Sally Jarin, Director for International Affairs and External Linkages, shared its institutional experiences and initiatives as she served as a panel member during the Southeast Asia Conference on Pre-Service Teacher Education held on October 20–21, 2026 at Seda Manila Bay in Parañaque City.
The University of Northern Philippines’ participation in the regional conference reflects President Dr. Erwin Cadorna’s vision of elevating the institution’s global standing, expanding international partnerships, and advancing educational practices through regional collaboration. By sharing its best practices in international education, the university contributed to broader discussions on strengthening teacher preparation and promoting innovative approaches to pre-service teacher education in Southeast Asia.
Hosted by the Philippine Normal University in partnership with the Teacher Education Council Philippines and REX Education, the conference brought together education leaders, ministry representatives, and scholars from 11 member countries of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization. The gathering provided a regional platform for exchanging institutional experiences, examining emerging challenges in teacher education, and shaping policies and collaborative initiatives to improve teacher training and professional preparation.
Adding national significance to the event, Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis delivered the keynote address, highlighting the importance of collective efforts in advancing the quality and relevance of teacher education. Through engagements of this nature, UNP continues to contribute to regional educational discourse while pursuing opportunities to broaden its international linkages, exchange best practices with partner institutions, and strengthen its presence in the global academic community.
Representing UNP in the panel discussion titled “Advancing regional mobility, collaboration, and teacher preparation,” Dr. Jarin joined international counterparts from Indonesia and Thailand in sharing strategies and institutional practices for strengthening cross-border cooperation in teacher education. She highlighted UNP’s student mobility frameworks, particularly the active participation of the College of Teacher Education (CTE) in the Southeast Asia Teacher Program. Her presentation outlined the university’s established procedures for identifying and screening qualified student-teachers, coordinating with partner institutions, and facilitating their deployment to universities in the region for international teaching experiences.
Emphasizing the importance of integrating local cultural heritage into globally oriented teacher preparation, Dr. Jarin also presented two flagship programs spearheaded by CTE: the Developing Awareness on the Life and Language of Ilocanos among Southeast Asian Teachers (DALLIASAT) Program and the SEA Innadal ken Linglingay para ti Ayat ken Wayawaya (SILAW) Program. These initiatives demonstrate UNP’s efforts to promote Ilocano language, culture, and heritage while encouraging intercultural understanding among future educators. She further discussed the university’s broader internationalization initiatives, including international microteaching modules and virtual student and faculty exchanges, which provide opportunities for cross-cultural learning, professional development, and academic collaboration beyond geographical boundaries.
Since establishing its engagement with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization and the SEA-Teacher Program in 2017, UNP has continued to provide pre-service teachers with opportunities to gain international exposure, experience diverse teaching environments, and develop intercultural competencies essential to the teaching profession. Dr. Jarin’s participation in the regional conference highlighted the university’s continuing contribution to discussions on teacher education, student mobility, and international academic cooperation, reinforcing its commitment to prepare future educators for increasingly interconnected educational environments.
