25/06/2025
On June 23, 2025, Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) warmly welcomed student and faculty from Glenville State University (GSU), West Virginia, USA, for an Academic, Research, and Cultural Exchange Program. The initiative, organized by the International Affairs and External Linkages Office (IAELO) in coordination with the College of Agriculture (CAg), aimed to strengthen international academic linkages, promote collaborative agricultural research, and celebrate cultural diversity.
The visit commenced with a courtesy call to University President Dr. Frederick T. Villa and university officials. As part of the engagement, GSU generously donated a Total Station, an advanced surveying equipment for use in land and forestry research and instruction at SLSU. The delegation then proceeded to the College of Agriculture in Brgy. Ayuti, Lucban, Quezon, where they toured the Clonal Nursery and joined a tree planting activity, while also enjoying fresh buko juice as part of the cultural experience.
Building on the momentum of the visit, the program opened with a welcome remarks from Dr. Joanna Paula E. Verano, Director of the SLSU- International Affairs and External Linkages Office (IAELO), followed by an inspirational message delivered by Dr. Juanita San Jose, Dean of the SLSU-College of Agriculture. This was followed by academic program updates from Dr. Rico M. Gazal and Prof. Jacob Petry, faculty of GSU, and Dr. San Jose representing SLSU. In the succeeding segment, research presentations from GSU and SLSU students sparked engaging discussions and insightful questions, reflecting strong academic interest from both sides. To close the program, Dr. Mary Ann Agudilla, Program Chair of the Forestry and MFO Program, delivered the closing remarks, emphasizing the importance of sustained partnerships and academic exchange.
This exchange served not only as an opportunity for academic and cultural learning but also as a meaningful step toward building long-term international partnerships between SLSU and GSU.
