Saint Mary’s University (SMU) recently hosted a delegation from the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) Office for Institutional Development in Higher Education (OIDHE). The visit, which took place after two highly successful joint training workshops on June 10-11 and June 16-17, 2025, underscored SMU’s strong commitment to enhancing its academic excellence and fostering research innovation.

The collaborative program brought together SMU’s Deans, Department Heads, and faculty members. These intensive workshops were designed to equip participants with essential skills for modern education, focusing on outcomes-based curriculum review and the creation of student-centered course syllabi to strengthen the university’s academic offerings. Beyond curriculum development, the training also empowered attendees to develop high-quality research proposals capable of securing vital funding and to deepen their understanding of intellectual property.

During the UPLB team’s visit, SMU President Dr. John Octavious S. Palina expressed his sincere appreciation for their invaluable support and the transformative opportunities provided through this partnership. Dr. Palina also actively sought feedback from the resource speakers and facilitators on the recently concluded joint training workshops, demonstrating SMU’s dedication to continual improvement.

This vital collaboration between UPLB and SMU directly aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4 (Quality Education), which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which emphasizes global partnerships for sustainable development.

Written by: 
Dr. Harrison T. Villanueva
Assistant Director, Institutional Development and Quality Assurance Office