To take a decisive leap in academic advancement, the University of Baguio conducted an intensive benchmarking visit and commencement activities together with MAPUA University in Intramuros, Manila. Held on March 21, 2026, the 21-member delegation comprising program chairs, esteemed faculty members, and personnel representatives engaged in an exchange to discuss digital systems with the integration of a premier Learning Management System (LMS) from the partnered university.
Alt Text: Highlights from the University of Baguio’s Visit to MAPUA, Intramuros, Manila, for three-dimensional immersion and educational models
Led by Ms. Joanna Marie V. Villavicencio, the overall coordinator from the UB School of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (SIHTM), the respected academic professionals worked with the Digital Education and Learning Technology Applications (DELTA) team from MAPUA to study the improved LMS model that has been carefully managed for the past 18 academic years since it was first implemented.
Highlights from Educational Advancements through Digital Navigation and Leads
The academic tour provided the visiting team with a benchmark on the university’s Blackboard by Anthology, which provided useful information about the birth and foundation of MAPUA’s “Don’t Cancel Classes” policy. A cohesive model that offers a digital platform that aids continuous learning and institutional resilience. The visit also included a tour around the professional video studio for module development and specialized laboratories. Exploring three-dimensional immersion on educational models heightened by high-fidelity facilities through twenty-five (25) Oculus VR devices and three audiovisual rooms (AVRs) was an enlightening experience.
Alt Text: A tour around the MAPUA University’s Audio-Visual Room during the digital benchmarking activity
A significant highlight that was observed was through the “MAPUA READS” system, integrating digital strategies to provide students with an entirely digital library of textbooks in electronic publication (e-pub) formats.
The delegation included a diverse group, with key academic leaders participating:
- Ms. Kresdale May G. Pacalso and Ms. Sweet Eulynette C. Garcia from the SIHTM department
- Director Mary Joy B. Limpin, Mr. Kayzer Baucas, and Ms. Maybel Langbayan from the HRMC office
- Ms. Rhoda Marie C. Manansala, Dr. Ruby R. Buccat, and Dr. Candido M. Perez from the SBAA department
- Ms. Ruth D. Fernandez and Ms. Bernadette P. Egtapen from the SNS department
- Dr. Michelle P. Ranges, Ms. Marianne K. Basoyang, Ms. Junalyn C. Penrad, Ms. Rhoda Marie A. Carbonel, and Dr. Karen K. Bete from the STELA department
- Ms. Ivy May V. Marbella, representing the SON department
** Specialized offices were also represented by Ms. Marjorie Ternida (UB Procurement Office), Ms. Janine Grace Javier (MIS unit), Dr. Edgar Allan Pangisban (SOD department), and Ms. Dianalyn G. Tamayo (UBLES).
Alt Text: Highlights from the University of Baguio’s Visit to MAPUA, Intramuros, Manila, for three-dimensional immersion and educational models
Beyond hardware, the group studied how Mapúa maximizes the Blackboard ecosystem through a consistent faculty upskilling that incentivizes educators to master advanced digital tools and HTML5 interactive content.
This initiative was strategically designed to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure UB remains at the forefront of modern pedagogy. By evaluating Mapúa’s interactive instructional design and micro-credentialing structures hosted within the LMS, the activity directly supports
- SDG 4 —Quality Education through the exploration of VR and AVR infrastructure managed through their digital framework for educational endeavors
- SDG 9 —Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, which shows the shift toward paperless digital resources via the ePub library model support
- SDG 12 —Responsible Consumption and Production through ethical policies and implementation in the modern digital landscape
- SDG 17—Partnership that seeks the advancement of local, regional, and international partners for education and academic initiatives
Through this collaborative exchange, the University of Baguio’s leadership has identified a clear roadmap for adopting standardized Blackboard course templates, establishing dedicated educational technology support teams, and integrating ethical AI governance into the university’s evolving digital prowess and journey.
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Written by: Joanna Marie Villavicencio
Article Enhancement by: Gabriel Madriaga
