BAGUIO CENTRAL UNIVERSITY

CUBE Management Exchange: Strengthening Partnerships for Excellence and Sustainability

Dr. Michael T. Sebullen, CRS

Baguio City, Philippines — On January 24, 2025, representatives from Baguio Central University (BCU), Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC), University of Baguio (UB), and Easter College Inc. (ECI) came together for the CUBE Management Exchange: A Collaboration for Excellence. Hosted by BCU, the event provided a platform for sharing best practices in research, extension, and quality assurance. This collaboration aimed to strengthen partnerships among higher education institutions (HEIs), equipping graduates with the tools to become effective leaders in their communities while upholding institutional standards.

The CUBE Management Exchange demonstrated the transformative potential of partnerships in higher education. Through shared goals, collaborative strategies, and a focus on sustainability, BCU, CCDC, UB, and ECI showcased how working together can lead to meaningful and lasting progress for academic institutions and their communities. These initiatives aim to be implemented before the partnership agreement concludes, reinforcing the institutions’ commitment to collaboration and impact

Dr. Elma D. Donaal, Vice President for Academic Affairs of BCU, opened the program by emphasizing the role of partnerships in driving innovation and development. She highlighted the importance of collaboration, referencing CHED Commissioner Dr. Prospero De Vera’s vision of collective progress. “Partnerships are vital for fostering growth and innovation. Through these efforts, we can create a ripple effect of positive change that benefits our institutions and communities,” she said.

Dr. Margarita Cecilda B. Rillera, President of BCU, further underscored the event’s significance by aligning it with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #17, which focuses on partnerships to achieve sustainable growth. She stressed the importance of working together, pooling resources, and exchanging knowledge. Drawing inspiration from the teachings of Confucius and Helen Keller, Dr. Rillera said, “This collaboration exemplifies how academic institutions can work together to foster regional development, innovation, and a shared commitment to a brighter future for our region and beyond.”

The program featured presentations from institutional leaders. Dr. Kareen Leon from UB discussed the importance of quality assurance, emphasizing inclusivity and the principle that “Quality is Everyone’s Responsibility.” She outlined strategies for aligning institutional goals with outcomes, including the use of benchmarking and the PDCA Cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act).

 

Dr. Donnavila Marie B. Panday, Director of the Research, Innovation, Extension, and Community Outreach (RIECO) Center at UB, revisited the objectives outlined in the partnership’s Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). She introduced the Coffee Bean Framework, which highlights a step-by-step approach to institutional growth, focusing on investments in people, infrastructure, and partnerships. She also highlighted the crucial link between research and extension, stating, “Research forms the foundation for identifying community needs, ensuring that extension programs remain relevant and sustainable.”

Representatives from CCDC, BCU, and ECI—Dr. Corazon L. Ocden, Dr. Michael T. Sebullen, and Ms. Jessica Balag-ey—shared their strategies for enhancing institutional research efforts. They discussed mentoring programs, stakeholder training, and partnerships with government agencies to build capacity and improve outcomes.

 

The event also included a collaborative group activity where participants identified common challenges in research, extension, and quality assurance. The discussions resulted in a position paper outlining shared initiatives such as resource-sharing systems, mentoring opportunities, and community-focused projects. The institutions pledged to implement these initiatives before the expiration of their partnership agreement, demonstrating their commitment to collective growth.

Dr. Panday concluded the event by reiterating the partnership’s shared vision for stability, meaningful social change, and lasting collaboration. “This partnership embodies our united effort to drive transformation—not just in our institutions but in the communities, we serve,” she said.