International University Social Responsibility (IUSR) recognizes the pertinent role universities play in advancing their local and global communities. As bastions of knowledge and innovation, universities bear the responsibility of ensuring that the expertise they cultivate escapes the university and extends to the greater society. IUSR is a commitment that draws the university out of its ivory tower into greater service to its community by employing Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)-focused, people-centered, and knowledge-driven assessments and interventions. The overarching objective of IUSR interventions is to foster sustainability.

In the fulfillment of the IUSR, the Faculty of Management and Development Studies of the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) and Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) continuously seek out opportunities wherein the university can contribute to the creation of sustainable communities, and the broader goal of sustainability. In line with this, the KMU, Sustainable Development for Namasia District and International Indigenous Areas, and the UPOU-FMDS co-organized this year’s IUSR Forum with the theme, “Bridging Universities and Communities towards Empowerment through International University Social Responsibility” on 26 September 2024 at KMU International Convention Center, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The forum was accessible both on-site and virtually through Youtube Livestream.

The opening program commenced with the singing of the Taiwan and Philippine National Anthems. “We are confident that this event will establish a robust for future collaborations and will have a positive influence on global education and social development,” as Dr. Chou Fan-Hao, KMU Vice President stated during her opening remarks, highlighting the strengthening partnership between the two nations in the realm of IUSR. On the other hand, Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria, UPOU Chancellor, emphasized the contribution of IUSR on UPOU tripartite function including instruction, research, and public service during her welcoming message. “There are also accepted parameters and standards by which we measure the outputs of these major functions but, at the end of the day, we may ask what bottom line should guide the frameworks of research and instruction or even the concretization of our public service engagement with our communities? Then we turn to the other lesser known articulation of the purpose of universities and the bottom line which should guide these major functions which is the IUSR,” she remarked.

As part of their growing partnership, both institutions had an exchange of institutional gifts led by Chancellor Bandalaria and Vice President Chou Fan-Hao, joined by FMDS Dean Professor Joane Serrano and KMU College of Life Science Dean Chang Hsueh-Wei. 

The participants were provided with the forum rationale, which outlined the forum’s purpose and significance, as discussed by Assistant Professor Lorena Jean Saludadez, Chair of the FMDS Graduate Certificate in/Master of ASEAN Studies Graduate Programs and lead faculty for IUSR. During her presentation, she gracefully acknowledged the presence of our community members from the San Antonio Trolley Organization (SANTO) of Brgy. San Antonio, Los Baños, Laguna.

Following the opening ceremony, the IUSR Forum proceeded with its plenary session titled “UPOU Trifunction and the Integration of IUSR – The CIDAS Framework” featured Professor Joane V. Serrano, who discussed the key differences of traditional Public Service and IUSR through the UPOU FMDS Framework: Community Inclusivity, Digital transformation, and Acceleration towards Sustainability (CIDAS). “This framework not only advances public service but also reinforces the holistic, interconnected mission of IUSR, thereby positioning UPOU as a proactive agent in promoting sustainability and social responsibility within and beyond its academic mandate,” as she ended, highlighting the evolving role of universities in society where IUSR seeks to create lasting, multidimensional impacts, aligning academic goals with the broader social good.

Seven panel sessions featured a diverse array of engaging sessions initiated with the first panel session moderated by Assistant Professor Lloyd Lyndel Simporios from FMDS Diploma in/Master of Social Work Programs, focusing on the “Approaches to Community Engagement in the Fulfillment of IUSR.” Subsequently, Panel Session 2 delved into the “Role and Potential of Technology in Furthering IUSR”, moderated by Assistant Professor Julissah C. Evangelio of the Department of Biological Sciences in Visayas State University. Afterward, Panel Session 3, explored the integration of the existing FMDS Policy Innovation and Learning Laboratory for Sustainability (PILLS) in IUSR policy development and learning frameworks by “Maximizing IUSR Engagement as a Learning Laboratory” with Assistant Professor Leo Mendel Rosario, Chair of FMDS Diploma in/Master of Research and Development Management Program, as the moderator. Additionally, Panel Session 4, facilitated by Assistant Professor Rovelyn P. Gallego of the Department of Biology in Caraga State University (CSU), examined “Opportunities of Promoting IUSR through Collaboration.” Meanwhile, Panel Session 5, presided by Associate Professor Finaflor Taylan, Chair of FMDS Diploma in/Master of Social Work Programs, tackled “Forwarding Gender Inclusive Development through IUSR,” focusing on the contribution of IUSR on the key challenges and opportunities in achieving gender inclusive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition to these sessions, Panel Session 6, moderated by Assistant Professor Brent Joy H. Hernando of the CSU Department of Biology, centered on “Promoting Cultural Heritage within Communities through IUSR.” Finally, Panel Session 7, facilitated by Assistant Professor Luisa Gelisan, UPOU University Registrar and faculty of the Master of Development Communication Program of the UPOU Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS), focused on “Utilizing Innovative Approaches to Education in Advancing IUSR,” addressing frameworks and strategies to education crucial in fulfilling IUSR initiatives.

The forum concluded with synthesis and closing remarks from Associate Professor Yong-Chao Su, Executive Director of Edu-Connect Southeast Asia Association Kaohsiung, Associate Professor of the KMU College Life of Sciences, and among the top contributor in furthering IUSR initiative, marking the end of a successful and insightful forum.

To formalize the overall partnership between the two institutions, a University-level Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed which was led by Chancellor Bandalaria and Professor Ming-Lung Yu, KMU President. It was witnessed by key figures from UPOU including Professor Joane V. Serrano, KMU Professor Fan-Hao Chou, Professor Hsueh-Wei Chang, and Associate Professor Yong-Chao Su, Executive Director of Edu-Connect Southeast Asia Association Kaohsiung. Following the MOU signing, a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for program collaboration was executed. This agreement focuses on specific academic initiative and course collaborations that would enhance the educational experience and foster closer ties between the two institutions. Through this agreement, it is aimed to develop programs that would benefit students and contribute to social development of respective communities.

With these, it was evident that this forum provides valuable educational opportunities for all attendees, through engaging meaningful dialogues on how education and social responsibility can empower communities and enhance our collaborative efforts in social development and education addressing SDGs 4, 8, 11, 13, and 17.

To watch the recorded Youtube Livestream, you may access through https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sn07dF0iuwg&t=1s

Written by: Raizza Anna M. Alforja • Edited by: Larry N. Cruz

Sustainable Development Goals

No event found!