Held on September 18, 2025, at the Management Conference Room (MCR) at the University of Baguio, international academic delegates from the O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) India have dedicated their time to sharing knowledge and practices, while gathering notable information and metrics to create a foundation that elevates the quality bestowed upon higher educational institutions. Reflecting on meaningful partnerships that facilitate reciprocal exchanges on collaborative teaching styles. For a better outlook for the institutions involved.
Above and Beyond in Navigation and Advancements with UB and JGU
The exploratory partnership meeting included a presentation on JGU’s academic offerings, expansions, and immediate plans on university facilities, fellowship programs focusing on independent and corroborated young global research, and a detailed overview of the university’s background.
The visit comprised academic leaders, innovators, and international delegates from the University of Baguio and O.P. Jindal Global University. Consisting of nine (9) academic innovators from India and the Philippines, leading the roster for JGU is Dr. Rahul Bhandari, Director, Office of Institutional Advancement and Strategic Global Engagement (IASGE), along with Dr. Swapnil S. Bhosle, Head, Office of Rankings Benchmarking & Institutional Transformation.
Alt text: O.P. Jindal Global University, India, visiting delegates, Dr. Rahul Bhandari, Director, Office of Institutional Advancement and Strategic Global Engagement (IASGE) (left), and Dr. Swapnil S. Bhosle, Head, Office of Rankings Benchmarking & Institutional Transformation (right)
Accompanying them from the University of Baguio are Dr. Janice Kaylyn K. Lonogan, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Kareen Leon, Director, Quality Assurance Office, Ms. Melanie Rulla-Saro, Director, Linkages Office, and Ms. Nona Christina Gabriel, RIECO staff.
Alt text: University of Baguio academic members and leaders, Ms. Dahlia Soriano, Program Chair, School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA), Ms. Nona Christina Gabriel, RIECO staff, Dr. Kareen Leon, Director, Quality Assurance Office (left), and Ms. Melanie Rulla-Saro, Director, Linkages Office, Dr. John Balanquit, Dean, School of Business Administration and Accountancy (SBAA), and Architect Ryan Benaoe, Dean, School of Engineering and Architecture (right)
Following suit with academic heads from the participating departments, Ms. Dahlia Soriano, Program Chair, School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA), Dr. John Balanquit, Dean, School of Business Administration and Accountancy (SBAA), and Architect Ryan Benaoe, Dean, School of Engineering and Architecture.
A Brief Walk to Jindal Global University’s (JGU) History
Founded in 2009, the O.P. Jindal University has established its tenure and philanthropic initiatives, creating a holistic environment where academic scholars and leaders/innovators immerse themselves through a multidisciplinary and research-focused environment. Dubbed as the top-ranked private university in India for three consecutive years by the prestigious QS World University Rankings 2023, and leading in the overall score among universities (with a gold ranking) by the Times Higher Education (THE) Online Learning Rankings 2024.
Alt text: University of Baguio academic members and leaders having a sit-down discussion, along with visiting delegates from O.P. Jindal Global University, India
As the discussion progressed, both institutions collaborated on the proposals for launching an intercultural exchange program that involves academic prospects from the engineering and architecture departments. Both parties are leading an initiative to allow students from the University of Baguio to visit and experience the vast academic life and offerings from JGU, while opening an opportunity for student delegates from the prestigious Indian University to experience student and campus life in UB and in the City of Pines.
An Exciting Opportunity for Cross-Cultural Partnerships
Following the promotion of intercultural studies that play a pivotal role within the lines of JGU’s broader vision on promoting global excellence, inclusivity, and societal impact, the research fellowship program offered by the visiting institution is a one-year initiative (three-month maximum residential program and mentorship in India) that can empower delegates from partnered international universities within interdisciplinary and innovative academic metrics.
A dynamic structure that combines collaborative research, teaching initiatives, and supportive development within interdisciplinary exchanges. With academic and practical implementations, the program has been offered to UB courtesy of Dr. Bhandari and is in progress for institutional initiation toward the management and academic delegates in the immediate future.
UB officials and management members have also considered conducting a benchmarking visit to JGU to observe first-hand available facilities and academic systems, and academic or practical immersion through advancements in the realm of Technology, Engineering, and Architecture. Delegating Important logistics and proposals for cross-cultural academic exchanges and visits for the number of faculty members who can participate, and JGU’s student-to-faculty ratio, which currently stands at 1:9.
Having to express certain Sustainable Development Goals, the exploratory partnership tackled the following lines of:
- Creating a notable prowess in building quality education and enhancing knowledge attainment for higher education settings (SDG number 4)
- Reeling in decent work and economic growth through efforts in management consultations and advancements in organizational strengthening (SDG number 8)
- Upskill measures and tactics for creating equal intercultural opportunities to inspire and set a playing field for academic members, management, and students involved (SDG number 10)
- Broadening the partnership to new horizons and solidifying measures, proposals, and plans for the immediate future for partnerships and collaborations between UB and JGU (SDG number 17)
Alt text: University of Baguio academic members and leaders with Dr. Janice Kaylyn Lonogan, Vice President for Academic Affairs, along with visiting delegates from O.P. Jindal Global University, India. Held on September 18, 2025
