The University of Baguio is dedicated to exploring partnerships that can support its journey to provide balanced quality education and make a lasting positive impact on the community. Whether it’s with government organizations or fellow higher education institutions, the university is always seeking to forge connections that enhance learning experiences, promote innovation, and contribute to the growth and development of society.
This October 2024, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Janice Kaylyn Lonogan and Linkages Office Director Melanie Rulla Saro represented the university for a meeting at Vaughan City in Canada as part of a delegation representing the City of Baguio. This meeting aimed to discuss both cities’ sustainable development initiatives, exploring the different programs, activities, and efforts towards attaining the various United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) as the end year of 2030 approaches.
Apart from the Baguio City delegation, officials from Vaughan City and the Department of Foreign Affairs Consul General were also present. Representatives from the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Toronto, Canada, and the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan City were also in attendance, allowing for a more diversified discussion and exploration of each city’s perspectives and programs.
The relationship between Baguio City and Vaughan City was founded on a mutual goal of building a strong partnership that could facilitate cultural exchange, economic collaboration, and mutual learning in governance and sustainable urban development. Through a series of formal agreements, the relationship between the two cities has led to the establishment of numerous projects that have supported trade and investment opportunities, knowledge sharing in environmental sustainability, and community engagement activities.
While in the area, the university delegation also attended back-to-back exploratory meetings with Niagara University and York University, some of the top universities currently operating in the country. These meetings zeroed in on academic ventures, including the key areas of graduate school programs, culture and arts, exchange programs for students and faculty, and research and community outreach initiatives.
Along with Baguio City Officials headed by Mayor Hon. Benjamin Magalong, the delegation also had a courtesy meeting with the mayors of Vaughan City, Niagara Falls, Niagara on the Lake, and Grimsby Town. This cursory gathering was led by UB Alumna and president of the Filipino-Canadian Association of the City of Vaughan (FCAV) Ms. Erlinda Insigne, as well as the Board of Director and Economic Development Officer of Grimsby Professor Frank Miele.
Collaborations such as these are integral for expanding the university’s global presence, empowering its academic community, and nurturing a world-class environment that can help students build a strong educational foundation that will allow them to navigate an increasingly interconnected world with ease.
As UB continues on its journey to provide balanced quality education to the community, it aims to maintain integral relationships with fellow organizations all over the world to ensure that its operations are up to par with international standards, guaranteeing that its graduates can keep up with the demands of a global community. These collaborative efforts also serve as integral jumping-off points for the attainment of the UN SDGs, and they provide invaluable resources that allow the university to embrace a more sustainable approach to education and community outreach.
