Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) joined higher education institutions from across the region in the 2026 Filipino Leaders in Advancing International Reputation (FLAIR) Masterclass – Visayas Leg, hosted by the Commission on Higher Education – International Affairs Service (CHED-IAS) in partnership with CHED Regional Office XVIII – Negros Island Region (CHED-NIR) at the SMX Convention Center Bacolod.
Themed “Beyond Rankings: Strengthening Global Reputation,” the two-day event was held on September 8 to 9, 2026. CHMSU’s participation is part of the university’s continuing efforts to strengthen its international competitiveness, global visibility, sustainability impact, and institutional readiness through the FLAIR Masterclass, a national capacity-building and strategic internationalization initiative that operationalizes the “I” in CHED’s ACHIEVE Agenda — Inclusive and Impact-Driven Internationalization.
(from left) CIER Coordinators April Mae Nabor, Elvina Causing, Charmaine Sabio, CHED-IAS Director Christine Nabor-Ferrer, CHED-NIR Regional Director Raul Alvarez Jr., and CIER Director Rhoderick Samonte at the FLAIR Masterclass Visayas Leg.
CIER / Charmaine Sabio photos
The CHMSU delegation was led by Director Rhoderick Samonte of the Center for Internationalization and External Relations (CIER). He was joined by Alijis Coordinator Charmaine Sabio, Binalbagan Coordinator April Mae Nabor, and Fortune Towne Coordinator Elvina Causing.
As part of the program, Director Samonte signed the FLAIR Pledge of Commitment on behalf of CHMSU, joining fellow representatives from various Higher Education Institutions across the Visayas in formally affirming their institutions’ dedication to leading toward meaningful global distinction.
Through the pledge, CHMSU committed to driving high-impact research, educational quality, and ethical international partnerships that elevate its global standing while remaining deeply rooted in Filipino national identity, and to serving as a principled champion for its academic community in building a lasting, competitive global legacy for the institution and the nation.
Through its participation, CHMSU joins other Visayas HEIs in advancing the push for inclusive, substantive, and globally recognized Philippine higher education.
