The student exchange partnership between the University of Baguio’s Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (BAPS) program and the Khon Kaen University College of Local Administration (KKU-COLA) continues to thrive as a dynamic platform for international academic cooperation, experiential learning, and cross-cultural immersion. As part of the shared vision and goal for academic excellence that is governed by quality education, the cultural exchange and immersion provide scholars with institutional gain through meaningful academic, professional, and cultural experiences beyond their home countries.
Upon their arrival in November 2025, the university warmly welcomed four exchange students from Khon Kaen University. Having delegates from the College of Local Administration (COLA) and one from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The student exchange initiative was led by the UB Linkages Office, being a part of the university’s broader thrust toward internationalization.
Alt Text: Welcoming activities for KKU-COLA inbound delegates/students given by the University of Baguio
Cultural Experiences and Academic Exchanges
The visiting students were initially deployed to the institution’s Research, Innovation, Extension, Community, and Outreach (RIECO) Office and the University Library, where they were introduced to the university’s pedagogical culture, academic services, and community-oriented initiatives. Completing various assignments and designated seat-ins in selected classes as understudies, which allowed them to observe practices and classroom dynamics (on higher education levels) and cultures set in the Philippine context.
Alt Text: Welcoming activities and program pinning ceremonies for predeployment of KKU-COLA inbound delegates/students given by the University of Baguio
Following suit of their immersion, the KKU exchange students enrolled in the BAPS Practicum course. Enrolled until March 12, 2026, the delegates undertake various internships at the City Administrator’s Office, gaining firsthand exposure to local governance, public administration processes, and policy implementation. This placement provided practical insights into Philippine local government operations, all while strengthening their comparative understanding of governance systems in Southeast Asia.
Reciprocity remains a cornerstone of the exchange program, as the institution’s Political Science Department sent three outbound scholars to KKU-COLA from January 26 to March 31, 2026, to represent the university’s academic prowess in Thailand. During their stay, the students are enrolled in three essential courses:
- Advanced English Academic Reading and Writing
- Seminar on Public Affairs
- Research Methodology in Local Governance
The courses are subsequently aligned with the BAPS curriculum, ensuring academic rigor while enhancing the students’ analytical, research, and communication skills in an international setting.
Alt Text: Students from UB’s Bachelor of Arts in Political Science along with program chair, Ms. Marianne Basoyang, and KKU-COLA representatives in Thailand for the outbound cultural immersion
The participation of UB’s students in the cultural immersion and academic exchange directly supports the department’s Program Educational Objective (PEO) of developing competencies relevant to governance at both national and global levels. Fulfilling the objectives of cultivating a predisposition towards ethical political involvement and proper practice across various forms and levels of engagement. Through classroom discussions, seminars, and research-oriented coursework, students deepen their understanding of public affairs while engaging with diverse perspectives shaped by cultural and institutional contexts.
Strong Partnerships and Adaptability
Beyond academics, the exchange program emphasizes holistic learning through cultural integration and interpersonal engagement. Students from both universities experience daily life in their host countries, participate in institutional and community activities, and build lasting friendships that transcend borders. Language skill-building, cultural sensitivity, and adaptability emerge as key outcomes, reinforcing the value of experiential immersion in shaping globally competent graduates.
Reflecting the commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), UB’s cultural immersion for both inbound and outbound related activities fosters strong academic partnerships through global learning opportunities, and its efforts to provide quality education through proven pedagogical techniques and practices (which are situated through goals 4, 8, 10, and 17).
The international partnership between UB and KKU-COLA demonstrates how collaborative education can contribute to sustainable development and global understanding. Continuing to grow, the UB-BAPS and KKU-COLA exchange program stands as a testament to the transformative power of international academic collaboration, which equips students with knowledge, values, and experiences essential for leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.
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Written by: Marianne K. Basoyang
Article Enhancement by: Gabriel Madriaga
