SLSU San Juan Campus deepens collaboration with UNISDA and Surabaya universities for academic and research innovation

Southern Leyte State University sent a delegation of key officials and faculty members from San Juan Campus to Indonesia to deepen its collaboration through a strategic institutional visit to Universitas Islam Darul 'Ulum (UNISDA) in Lamongan and top-tier universities in Surabaya, Indonesia, including Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA) and Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS), for Academic and Research Innovation. The visit was held from April 10 to 16, 2025.

The delegation was led by Dr. Gary Garcia, Campus Director of SLSU San Juan. Joining him were Dr. Gwendolyn Tatoy, Dean of the Faculty of Business Management; Dr. Melvin Sarsale, Director for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services; Ms. Lhouremhel Muncada, Head of the Business Management Department; and Mr. Ryan Negros, Pre-Service Teacher Supervisor. The team was also accompanied by Dr. Lilian Balbon, SLSU SEAMEO (Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization) Coordinator.

The first stop on their itinerary was Universitas Islam Darul 'Ulum (UNISDA) in Lamongan, where the delegation received a warm welcome from the university’s academic community. The visit paved the way for strategic discussions centered on future collaborative programs. Both institutions expressed a strong commitment to formalizing an agreement that would support student and faculty exchanges, joint research initiatives, and community extension projects.

The delegation also took the opportunity to visit Universitas Negeri Surabaya (UNESA), where on April 14, 2025, SLSU officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The partnership aims to promote joint academic programs, collaborative research, and student-faculty mobility—especially in the fields of business and entrepreneurship education.

Further strengthening its global engagement, the SLSU San Juan team visited Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) in Surabaya—one of SLSU’s longstanding partners known for joint participation in programs like the UMAP Discovery Camp Winter 2023 and the Virtual CommTECH Program. Discussions were led by Dr. Tatoy and Dr. Sarsale, who proposed various initiatives in collaboration with Prof. Agus Muhammad Hatta, ITS Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, Cooperation, and Alumni.

This visit highlights SLSU San Juan Campus' growing dedication to ascend through strengthened international linkages by forging stronger international connections.