The University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) served as the host institution of the University Social Responsibility Immersion Program on Oct. 16, 2026, for the Higher Education Week 2026 organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO RIHED).
The immersion program sought to showcase the Philippines’ commitment to regional collaboration, academic excellence, and community engagement, particularly in aquatic sciences, fisheries, culture, and coastal protection.
The delegates simultaneously engaged with communities in the towns of San Joaquin, Miagao, and Tigbauan during the activity. The immersion sites included the Kuliatan Marine Sanctuary, Bugnayan Point Marine Sanctuary, Asinan de Paul, UPV Institute of Fish Processing Technology, Indag-an Primary Multipurpose Cooperative, and HF Food Products.
The delegates later gathered that day at the UPV Covered Court, Miagao campus, to discuss their experiential learning from their respective immersion visits and shared their stories at the plenary session during the program proper. Participating state universities and colleges from Western Visayas also displayed their exhibits at the venue as part of the immersion experience for foreign delegates.
To cap off the program, the participants signed the Asian Commitment to University Social Responsibility. This activity was made possible through SEAMEO RIHED’s Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) Programme in collaboration with UP Visayas and the CHED International Affairs Service.
The Higher Education Week 2026 was an event that gathered higher education officials, policymakers, institutions, and international partners from Southeast and East Asia to chart the future of higher education in the region.
Written by Carlson Alelis, IPO
Photos courtesy of UPV USR Immersion Program Committee and Gian Genoveza (IPO)
