DMMMSU University Coordinator for International Affairs (Home-Based Education), Ms. Rowena T. Badua, attended the Regional Orientation of Guidelines for Assessment of Legitimacy of Foreign Travel conducted by SUCs personnel (Luzon leg) at Villa Isabel Hotel in Sorsogon City on March 20-21, 2024.
The session was designed to capacitate International Relations Officers (IROs) at SUCs for evaluating the legitimacy of international conferences and meetings, as well as determining the need for foreign travel under Executive Order No. 77 on the Prescribing Rules and Regulations and Rates of Foreign Expenses and Allowances for Official Local and Foreign Travels of Government Personnel.
On the first day, Atty. Lily Freida Milla, Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Deputy Executive Director and Director of IAS, opened the seminar by delivering the statement of purpose. Dr. Beatriz Belonias, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chairman of the SUCs’ Faculty Development Council – Academic Staff Development Program (VSFC-ASDP), shared best practices for internationalization within SUCs. Atty. Lynn Danao-Moreno, Assistant Executive Secretary of the Governance Gap Analysis and Development (GGAD) Office of the President, discussed the implications of Executive Order No. 77, which prescribes guidelines for travel expenses and allowances for government personnel on official local and foreign trips. Dr. Gaudencio Petalcorin Jr. concluded the first day with a synthesis of the role of research in internationalization.
On the second day, Prof. Johnrev Guilaran, Associate Professor at UP Visayas, equipped participants with knowledge on how to spot and avoid predatory international conferences and journals. Mr. Renz Giorgio Tibigar, Project Technical Staff of IAS, provided a detailed explanation of the guidelines and process flow for assessing the legitimacy of official foreign travel undertaken by SUC personnel.
The seminar concluded with an interactive question and answer session, allowing participants to share insights and gain further clarification. (By Rochelle M. Verganio)
