Representatives from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Bureau of Immigration (BI), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) visited Saint Louis University (SLU) to conduct the Inter-agency Committee on Foreign Students (IACFS) monitoring session held at the SLU Talged Center on 07 November 2024.
SLU Vice President for Academic Affairs Felina P. Espique, PhD welcomed the delegation together with SLU Office of Global Relations and Alumni Affairs (SLU OGRAA) Director Stephenie O. Busbus, PhD; School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts- Languages and International Studies Unit (STELA-LISU) Coordinator Freda B. Paulino, PhD; and SLU OGRAA Internationalization and Alumni Affairs Coordinator Mr. Joshua D. Madongit.
Ms. Cynthia Mamawan, OIC-Supervising EPS, CHED-OSDS; Mr. Fredrick Lugtu, BI-Student Visa Section, Mr. Pablito P. Gunio, Jr, NICA, and Mr. Gerry A. Soriano, University Registrar’s Office Senior Clerk, discussed the status of foreign students in the university. Moreover, the officers from the government agencies led by Ms. Mamawan and Mr. Lugtu further emphasized the updated measures in the admission of foreign students in the country including the submission of requirements, process of enrollment, and recommendations on strengthening the monitoring and control on foreign students studying at SLU.
The discussion emphasized the University’s role in enhancing national security and its preparedness to address conflicts related to the admission and enrollment of foreign students in the country. This way, SLU reassures its commitment to inclusive and quality education by upholding great responsibility in transparency and accountability. These values align with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (04) Quality Education, (16) Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, and (17) Partnerships for the Goals. (Article by Shane Gamboa, GRAA Intern | Photos by Meann Henderson, GRAA Intern)
