The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) welcomed Mr. Shawn Ethier, Director for Global Partnerships of New Brunswick Community College (NBCC), Canada, on February 26–27, 2026, for a two-day engagement aimed at exploring strategic academic and cultural collaborations between the two institutions.
The visit, held upon the invitation of CBSUA President Dr. Alberto N. Naperi, aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17 on Partnerships for the Goals and the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) internationalization thrust under Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis’ ACHIEVE framework, particularly on expanding external linkages and partnerships. The engagement provided a platform for strategic discussions with university officials, including Vice Presidents, College Deans, and Campus Directors from CBSUA’s four campuses, to identify mutually beneficial programs and strengthen international cooperation.
During the collaboration meeting, Ms. Mariss G. Encinares, International Relations Office (IRO) Coordinator of the Calabanga Campus, presented CBSUA’s academic offerings and internationalization initiatives. Mr. Ethier, likewise, introduced NBCC’s program offerings and global engagement opportunities, leading to productive discussions on potential areas of collaboration in instruction, research, student mobility, and cultural exchange.
The meeting concluded with an initial framework for partnership and a shared commitment to pursue future collaborative initiatives anchored on innovation, sustainability, and global engagement.
As part of the visit, Mr. Ethier toured key university facilities, including Agri Ville, where he observed best practices that may inform NBCC’s newly established sustainable agriculture program. He also visited the Greenhouse Laboratory of the College of Engineering and Food Sciences, where Dean Dr. Glaiza J. Visitacion engaged him in discussions to enhance laboratory operations and technical capabilities further.
The visit also included a cultural immersion activity in Naga City, providing Mr. Ethier with an opportunity to experience local heritage and community life, guided by university officials and International Relations Office coordinators.
The activity was coordinated by Vice President for Business and External Affairs Dr. Cherry Love B. Montales and facilitated by University International Relations Officer Dr. Raquel M. Reapor, together with campus IRO coordinators and university personnel. | 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘋𝘳. 𝘙𝘢𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘔. 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘱𝘰𝘳, 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘊𝘉𝘚𝘜𝘈 𝘗𝘐𝘖, 𝘔𝘴. 𝘔𝘪𝘬𝘪 𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘢 𝘒𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘪-𝘗𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘣𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘳. 𝘚𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘪𝘯 𝘔. 𝘉𝘢𝘫𝘢
