PANABO CITY – Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) attended the University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) Philippines Annual Conference 2025, held on February 26 at the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Auditorium in Quezon City.
The event included the election of new officers, where Mr. Mer Jun Cañas, Head of DNSC’s Internationalization Initiatives and External Affairs Office (IIEAO), was elected as one of fifteen new UMAP board members in the Philippines. UMAP is a consortium of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and partners dedicated to expanding study-abroad opportunities across the Asia-Pacific region.
During the plenary sessions, Dr. Heracleo D. Lagrada, UMAP Ph board member, provided an overview of the consortium’s history. Dr. Christine N. Ferrer, CHED RO 1 Director, emphasized the importance of a regional approach to internationalization, urging institutions to engage in student exchange programs to enrich learning experience.
Dr. Laurene Chua-Garcia, UMAP PH President, addressed the challenges HEIs face in establishing and sustaining an international presence, highlighting the support needed for long-term success. The conference concluded with a general assembly, which included the president’s report, treasurer’s report, and election of officers.
DNSC has been a lifetime member of UMAP since 2022.
