Celebrating the research excellence and social responsibility of the Filamerian community, Filamer Christian University (FCU) held the opening program for its first-ever Research, Extension, Internationalization, Innovation, and Development (REIID) Week on June 22 at the FCU Roblee Hall. The event was guided by the theme, “Filamer for REIID: Building the Groundwork, Shaping the Culture.”

The inaugural celebration fortifies the University’s commitment to building a cohesive framework that strengthens scholarly and creative work, translates policy into locally relevant programs, aligns university practices with national and international standards and drives simultaneous local relevance and global connectedness.

A Strategic Evolution for Future-Readiness

The first REIID Week Celebration is more than an academic event,” rationalized Dr. Erlyn Beup, Vice President for REIID. “It is a strategic institutional initiative that expresses Filamer Christian University’s commitment to excellence, relevance, and transformation. Through this week, the University affirms its intention to become a more collaborative and future-ready institution – one capable of translating national directions, global standards, and local realities into meaningful and sustainable educational action,” she added. “

Dr. Beup also announced a strategic revitalization of the offices under her unit. Citing evolving higher education practices and an increasingly competitive educational landscape, she noted that these offices are transitioning away from basic program administration toward a more proactive, holistic, and legally protected ecosystem.

As part of this transition, the offices under the OVP-REIID have been renamed and realigned:
• Research, Innovation, and Creative Works Office (RICWO) – formerly the Research and Education Center
• Community Engagement and Extension Services Office (CEESO) – formerly the Community Extension and Outreach Office
• Internationalization and Global Engagements Office (IGEO) – formerly the International Programs Office

Keynote: Aligning with Global and National Agenda

The highlight of the program featured Dr. Danebeth Narzoles, Chief Education Program Specialist of the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office – VI (CHEDRO-VI), who graced the event as the keynote speaker. In her address, Dr. Narzoles introduced CHED’s 7-point ACHIEVE agenda — which aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — and reiterated the synergistic significance of research, extension, and internationalization to instruction and institutional culture.

“Research, Extension, Internationalization, Innovation, and Development are interconnected and mutually reinforcing functions,” Dr. Narzoles presented. “Research generates knowledge, extension translates knowledge into societal impact, innovation transforms knowledge into solutions, development sustains institutional growth, and internationalization expands these efforts beyond borders through global collaboration and engagement.”

She further highlighted the vital role of internationalization in Higher Education, urging the FCU academic community to exercise collective strength and unity to establish the university as a premier institution of competence and excellence in the region.

“As we move forward, the challenge before us is not simply to establish programs but to build a culture — a culture where research is valued, innovation is encouraged, community engagement is embraced, international perspectives are welcomed, and excellence becomes a shared responsibility,” Dr. Narzoles emphasized in her closing statement.

United Institutional Support

Showing full support for the initiative were the university’s top executives: Dr. George Cortel (University President), Dr. Minnie P. Chan (VP for Academic Affairs), Mrs. Esther Arceño (VP for Finance), and Prof. Exequiel Calimutan (OIC, VP for Administration). Deans, program heads, chairpersons, and faculty members of the University’s higher education sector were also in attendance.

The two-day REIID celebration featured various activities showcasing the initiatives of the OVP-REIID units. Key events included the University Research Forum, the Community Extension Monitoring and Evaluation Highlights for SY 2025-2026, and an Orientation on FCU’s Internationalization Programs and Initiatives. The milestone event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the OVP-REIID and its subsidiary units: RICWO, CEESO, and IGEO.

The inaugural initiative on Research, Extension, Internationalization, and Innovation is strategically aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, with a strong focus on advancing SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Story by Prof. Leo Art Diosep E. Borres, Dr. Mary Jane F. Tormon