#GoingGlobal: VSU becomes the lone Southeast Asian university advancing in VLIRUOS partnership selection

VSU has been selected as the only Southeast Asian university to qualify for the Stage 2 of the Institutional University Cooperation (IUC) program of VLIRUOS, a Belgian organization that promotes academic partnerships worldwide. 

This recognition placed VSU among a select group of universities working towards global research excellence, sustainability, and socio-economic development. 

VSU is currently hosting consultants from Syspons commissioned by VLIRUOS to carry out institutional evaluations of partner universities within the framework of the IUC program. 

The visit of the IUC international and local consultants, Arne Fellerman and Kate Alyzon Ramil, scheduled from February 24 to 28, 2025, marks a significant step forward in VSU’s pursuit of international cooperation. 

This comes after VSU was selected for Stage 2 of the IUC Call for Proposals, an opportunity that places the university in a competitive position for global academic alliances. 

Last August 2024, VSU was identified as a strategic partner by the University of Ghent in Belgium for this IUC project. 

Prof. Dr. Peter Goethals and Dr. Marie Anne Eurie Forio from Ghent University, and Prof. Dr. Olivier Thas from Hasselt University conducted workshops and engagements with VSU faculty, staff and stakeholders in developing the IUC concept note.   

VSU joins a distinguished group of institutions from the Global South that have been considered for this initiative, including Nelson Mandela University in South Africa, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana in Peru, Wolaita Sodo University in Ethiopia, Technical University of Mombasa in Kenya, Universidad Técnica del Norte in Ecuador, Gulu University in Uganda, and Universidad de Holguín in Cuba.

University President Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes described this as a major milestone for VSU as this recognizes the university’s growing influence in global research and academic collaboration. 

“We are very much honored to be chosen as the only Southeast Asian university. This opportunity affirms the strength of faculty and student researchers in tackling real-world challenges through science and education,” President Yepes said. 

The IUC framework is designed to create long-term partnerships between Flemish universities and selected institutions in the Global South to enhance research, education, and community engagement and address pressing global challenges. 

IUC has long supported academic exchange and research collaborations in social economics, university development, and non-governmental organizations. 

Meanwhile, VLIRUOS, as the operational agency of the Flemish rectors’ conference (Vlaamse Universitaire Raad), specializes in financing scholarships and promoting academic partnerships across Africa, Latin America, and Asia, with an emphasis on global sustainable development. 

VSU’s Proposal: SUSTAIN

VSU has laid out a comprehensive proposal under the IUC program called “Strengthening Visayas State University’s Capacity for Sustainable Societal Transformation by Advancing Innovation, Inclusive Growth, and Building Networks” or SUSTAIN. 

The proposal highlights six key thematic areas that address sustainability challenges both locally and globally. 

These themes are rooted in VSU’s existing strengths and strategic plans to align with the university's mission of driving societal transformation through education and research. 

The first thematic area focuses on systems transformation and resilience, addressing issues related to climate change, natural resource management, sustainable infrastructure, circular economies, and waste management.

This aims to develop holistic and sustainable solutions that can help mitigate environmental degradation and promote responsible resource utilization. 

The second thematic area explores human well-being and social economic development, particularly in relation to nutrition, health, and economic stability. 

This initiative seeks to improve quality of life, especially for vulnerable communities, by promoting research-based interventions and policy recommendations. 

The third theme revolves around governance and transformative change, which seeks to enhance institutional capacities for disaster  response, governance structures, and societal transformation efforts. 

This includes developing frameworks for better risk management and policy implementation to create more resilient societies. 

Another major focus of the proposal is data collection and technological advancements to improve research infrastructure and methodologies for gathering data from diverse ecosystems, production chains, and societal systems. 

This effort will enable researchers and policymakers to make informed decisions based on accurate and comprehensive data. 

In line with the growing role of technology in research and development, the proposal also emphasizes advancements in data science and artificial intelligence. 

By leveraging AI, statistical modeling, ICT, and the Internet of Things (IoT), VSU aims to enhance its research capabilities and provide more efficient solutions to complex societal problems. 

The final thematic area centers on integrated staff development and education, which aims to strengthen training programs, research capabilities, and outreach efforts. 

This component ensures that VSU’s faculty, students, and researchers are well-equipped to contribute to academic advancements and societal impact. 

Leading up to this institutional assessment visit, VSU leaders engaged in preparatory workshops in August 2024. These sessions focused on refining strategic directions, identifying key development areas under the IUC Project framework and ensuring that VSU is prepared to meet the expectations set by the program. 

The discussions also facilitated knowledge exchange among faculty members, administrative staff, students, and other stakeholders, allowing them to refine strategies that will drive the success of the partnership. 

Vice President for Administration and Finance and VSU’s local IUC Project Coordinator Dr. Moises Neil V. Seriño explained that VSU's strong track record in research, education, and community engagement will play an important role in the university’s selection for this program. 

“Our SUSTAIN proposal aligns with global priorities by focusing on sustainability, climate resilience, socio-economic development, and technological advancements, that reinforce VSU’s role in advancing research and innovation,” Vice President Seriño pointed out. 

This initiative presents a unique opportunity for VSU to expand its research portfolio, engage in global knowledge-sharing activities, and address critical societal challenges through innovative solutions. 

As discussions continue with VLIRUOS, VSU is positioning itself to become a key player in international research and development efforts. 

The visit of the IUC delegation is a crucial milestone in this journey, and VSU remains focused on strengthening its role in sustainable education, scientific discovery, and socio-economic advancement. 

This article is aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4: Quality Education; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure; SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 13: Climate Change; and, SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals.

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