ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY (PIO) โ Advancing research excellence, educational innovation, and internationalization, the university recently participated in the 5th International Research and Education Conference 2026 with a series of benchmarking engagements, organized by the Association of Filipino Teachers and Educators in America (AFTEA), in partnership with the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, held at the City University of New York (CUNY)โLaGuardia and key destinations across United States from June 26 to July 5, this year.
Centered on the theme, โSustainability Through Innovation: Rethinking Futures of Education in the Age of AI,โ the conference brought together educators, researchers, university leaders, and policymakers for knowledge exchange, research presentation, and collaboration on advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) toward a more sustainable, future-ready educational landscape.
The ZPPSU delegation was led by University President Dr. Nelson P. Cabral who was introduced among the keynote speakers, bringing ZPPSUโs institutional perspective into the international conversation. While Dr. Ma. Cristina P. Andrade, Director of Internationalization and External Linkages served as Session Facilitator.
Prof. Josephine L. Sulasula, Vice President for Administration and Finance, and Prof. Ferdinand V. Andrade, Dean of the College of Information and Computing Sciences, presented their research studies, with the latter bringing honor to ZPPSU by receiving the Best Paper Award for Track 6: Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences.
From formal conference sessions and research presentations, the ZPPSU delegation further engaged to institutional networking; university benchmarking including Yale University, Harvard University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology; museum and heritage learning, and diplomatic dialogue โsupporting the universityโs goals in digital transformation, quality assurance, and responsible institutional growth.
This international exposure transforms into an accessible learning opportunity for the wider ZPPSU community through a Professional Development Workshop on Applying Cognitive Science and Thinking Routines for Effective Teaching and Learning, hosted by the AFTEA, in partnership with the Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology (ZSCMST), held at the Sen. Angara Building, July 7, this year.
โThis is how we ensure that the benefits of international engagement do not remain with only a few participants but are multiplied across our classrooms, offices, programs, and communities,โ Prof. Sulasula affirmed.
Bringing together university officials, academic leaders and faculty members, and students, the workshop equipped participants with evidence-based approaches to foster meaningful and lasting learning.
โAs educators, we are constantly challenged to understand not only what our students learn, but also how they learn, remember, reason, solve problems, and apply knowledge in real-life situations,โ Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Christina G. Wee expressed.
AFTEA Vice President Dr. Roy M. Mirafuentes, facilitated the workshop as Resource Speaker, sharing principles of cognitive science and their application in creating more engaging and effective learning experiences.
In his discussion, Dr. Mirafuentes also introduced the Project Zero (PZ) Thinking Routines of the Harvard Graduate School of Education and encouraged the faculty to incorporate the approach into instruction for deepening studentsโ critical thinking and making their thinking โvisibleโ.
“Learning doesn’t happen simply because information is presented. Learning requires students to think. It is our job to make that thinking happen,” Dr. Mirafuentes said, emphasizing the roles of teachers.
Afterwards, the event conducted the oathtaking of new AFTEA members, symbolizing continuous growth and a share commitment to educational excellence and collaboration.
ZSCMST Vice President for Administration and Affairs Dr. Alvin C. Reyes also expressed his full support to ZPPSU successful internationalization endeavors with AFTEA, while underscoring that AFTEA membership provides valuable opportunities for universities to advance collaborations in the international research and academic landscape.
Moreover, a meaningful highlight of the workshop program is the distribution of financial assistance of AFTEA to selected university students with disabilities and special needs, demonstrating its advocacy for student welfare and well-being.
Vice President of Student Affairs and Services Dr. Cyrus Pil P. Cadavedo expressed gratitude to AFTEA for its efforts and reaffirmed ZPPSU’s commitment to fostering a compassionate and inclusive academic community.
The Professional Development Workshop served as one of sustainability initiatives arising from the value ZPPSU-AFTEA partnership since 2024 in USA.
โIt demonstrates that our partnership is not limited to signed agreements or participation in international conferences. It is a living partnership โ one that continues to bring meaningful programs, professional growth, and concrete benefits to our faculty members and students,โ Prof Sulasula exclaimed. (Written By: Rio L. Landingin/JRA/ABC/Photos: ZPPSU-Office of the Internationalization/Public Information Office)