From October 7 to 10, 2026, esteemed representatives from the University of Baguio, alongside the Baguio City Sister Cities Executive Committee, pursued internationalization and global engagement with the City Government of Baguio through a visit to South Korea. They immersed themselves in the culture and festivities under the Yeonsu Neungheodae Cultural Festival.
The visit included the university’s Linkages Office Director, Ms. Melanie Rulla-Saro, and Ms. Liza D. Bulayungan, Department Head of the City Social Welfare and Development Office, as the exchange and endeavor’s lead.
The delegation included Ms. Amelia Joan Clerigo of the City Human Resource Management Office; Ms. Blessie Ngeteg of the City Budget Office; Ms. Grail Cortez of the City Tourism, Culture, and Arts Office; and private sector representative Ms. Helen Tibaldo, member of the Baguio City Sister Cities Executive Committee.
Their active participation reflected a collaborative approach to international relations, bringing together government agencies, private sector representatives, and higher education leaders to strengthen institutional ties and promote mutual understanding and cultural significance from their collective perspectives.
Global Practices and Strengthening Institutional Cooperation
Beyond cultural events, the visit offered opportunities for benchmarking, institutional exposure, and knowledge sharing. The delegation went to the Songdo International Library, the Incheon Urban City Museum, and the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) Promotion Center and Observatory. These trips offered insights into public spaces, infrastructure development, urban planning, and knowledge-based community development that could inform upcoming projects in Baguio City.
During a courtesy meeting with Yeonsu-gu District Mayor Lee Jae-ho, the Vice Mayor, and 13 district council officials, the delegation discussed the importance of sustaining the Baguio City–Yeonsu-gu sister city relationship through continuing engagement and mutually beneficial activities, particularly youth and student exchange programs. The exchange also provided an opportunity to observe practices that may help improve institutional policies, administrative processes, public services, and infrastructure planning.
Exploring International HEI Models and Inclusive Communities
A key highlight of the visit was the delegation’s engagement with Incheon Global Campus (IGC), which hosts international institutions including SUNY Korea, George Mason University Korea, the University of Utah Asia Campus, and Ghent University Global Campus.
The visit offered insights into an international higher education model that connects students with academic programs offered by leading universities from different countries. Through its extended-campus arrangements, the exposure provides valuable perspectives for advancing international academic linkages, exploring potential institutional collaborations, and creating opportunities for students to develop cross-cultural competencies. Participating institutions could address academic oversight of their curricula and degree requirements, subject to their respective institutional and regulatory frameworks.
Alt Text: Delegates and members from Baguio City’s Sister Cities Executive Committee during the courtesy meeting with the district Mayor, Hon. Lee Jae-Hon, along with council officials
The cultural dimension of the visit culminated in the delegation’s participation in the Baekje Envoy Parade at Neungheodae Park, alongside local officials, festival organizers, and representatives from sister cities in the United States and China. The parade celebrated cultural heritage and provided a platform for international communities to foster intercultural appreciation, friendship, and cooperation.
As delegates visited Yeonsu-gu’s Public Senior Welfare Center to see the amenities and services offered to senior citizens, the visit highlighted the local government’s role in encouraging social engagement, active aging, and access to community-based support services. These methods provide insight into the value of responsive public welfare programs and inclusive community development.
The delegation’s participation in the 2026 Yeonsu Neungheodae Cultural Festival brought together diplomacy, cultural appreciation, and institutional benchmarking. More than a ceremonial visit, the engagement provided opportunities to learn from another community’s approaches to education, urban development, public administration, and social welfare.
Advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
The engagement supports the University of Baguio’s commitment to internationalization, experiential learning, and responsible global citizenship. It also contributes to the broader objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs), particularly:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – by learning from community-based senior welfare services that support the well-being and social participation of older persons
- SDG 4: Quality Education – by exploring opportunities for student mobility, cross-cultural learning, and international academic collaboration
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – by examining approaches to urban development, cultural heritage preservation, public infrastructure, and inclusive community services
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – by strengthening cooperation among local governments, higher education institutions, the private sector, and international communities
These areas of engagement demonstrate how sister city relations can extend beyond cultural diplomacy to support educational development, institutional learning, and global sustainable community initiatives.
Opening Opportunities for Future Collaboration
The overall visit reinforces the potential of the Baguio City–Yeonsu-gu sister city relationship to create meaningful opportunities for both communities. For the University of Baguio, it provides a foundation for exploring future student and cultural exchange initiatives that allow learners to experience different cultures, broaden their perspectives, and strengthen their readiness for an increasingly interconnected world.
Through sustained collaboration among local government, the private sector, and academic institutions, global engagements can be translated into practical initiatives that benefit students, institutions, and communities. The University of Baguio looks forward to building on these opportunities as it continues to advance its international linkages and contribute to a more connected, inclusive, and sustainable future.
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Written by: Melanie Rulla-Saro
Article enhancement by Gabriel Madriaga
