Center for Internationalization and External Relations Director Rhoderick Samonte and Prof. Jay Jay Pisueña, CIER Coordinator of CHMSU Fortune Towne Campus were elected to the inaugural Commission on Higher Education Negros Island Region International Relations Officers (CHED NIR IRO) Council during the Activating Linkages: IRO Convergence meeting held on May 29, 2025, at the Negros Oriental State University Main Campus in Dumaguete City.
Director Samonte has been elected as the pioneering President of the NIR IRO Council, while Prof. Pisueña will serve as the Public Relations Officer.
Serving as vice president for external affairs is Dr. Yasmin Pascual-Dormido, External Affairs and Linkages director of STI West Negros University (STIWNU), and Dr. Sheilla Trajera, director of Center for Linkages and International Affairs of the University of St. La Salle Bacolod as vice president for internal affairs.
Also elected were Ruji Medina of Siquijor State College as secretary and Joe-ann Mae Escobar of Central Philippine State University (CPSU) in Kabankalan as assistant secretary.
Mary Francis Laquinon of St. Paul University Dumaguete was named treasurer, while Agnes Sequino of the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) was elected assistant treasurer.
Completing the set of officers are Venice Marie Hulleza of the State University of Northern Negros (SUNN) in Sagay City who was named auditor and Craig Refugio.
CHED Regional Director Raul Alvarez challenged IROs in the NIR to take an active role in helping CHED raise the quality of education in the newly created region. He also called on higher education institutions (HEIs) to unite and work together in advancing internationalization efforts that will directly benefit students.
A total of 85 Higher Education Institutions in the region joined the 1st NIR IRO convergence meeting.
The convergence meeting was held in celebration of the 5th National Higher Education Day and the 31st Founding Anniversary of CHED.
It also forms part of the strategic preparations for the full operationalization of CHED in the newly established Negros Island Region.
In addition, Director Samonte was also chosen to present CHMSU’s internationalization initiatives—showcasing the university’s commitment to global engagement.
The Central Philippines State University, State University of Northern Negros, STI West Negros University, University of St. La Salle, Negros Oriental State University, Silliman University, St. Paul University, Siquijor State College, and University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos also presented their internationalization initiatives.
