27/08/2026
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ก ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ก๐จ๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐๐
Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) sent off its second batch of scholars โ seven faculty members and one non-teaching personnel โ bound for graduate studies abroad during LAYAG 2026: A Journey Beyond Borders, held at the Mini Theater, Library Building, NVSU Bayombong Campus, August 26.
The eight scholars will pursue graduate degrees across five countries: Edvie Peejay V. Baral (Master of Development, Planning, Management, and Innovation) and Daisybelle P. Banida (Doctor of Philosophy in Agribusiness Management) to the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand; Carlita G. Segundo (Doctor of Philosophy in Data Convergence Computing) to Kyungpook National University, South Korea; Jose R. Comia, Jr. (International Doctorate Program in Intelligent Engineering and Technology) to National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan; Melanie A. Ibarra (Doctor of Philosophy in Forest Resources and Environmental Science) to Mie University, Japan; Richard J. Taclay (Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics with specialization in Cryptography) to Universiti Malaya, Malaysia; Kristine Jane P. De Leon (Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Sciences and Engineering) to Hokkaido University, Japan; and Ma. Eden R. Salaguste (Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics and Statistics) to Silpakorn University, Thailand.
In her welcome remarks, Office of International Affairs Director Atty. Regine Karla G. Tabas likened the scholars' journey to a ship catching the wind toward its destination.
"The scholarship is the wind that moves you forward, your knowledge and preparation the vessel, your dreams the destination, and NVSU your home port to which you will return," she said.
Atty. Tabas noted that this year's batch of eight follows a first batch of 11 scholars sent abroad last year, and that the university is already preparing to send more in the coming year as part of its continuing internationalization efforts.
The testimonial segment featured Mr. Jeremy V. Dasalla, an AIT scholar in Agricultural Systems and Engineering, and Dr. Lori Shayne A. Busa, Director for Research and Development and a graduate of Maejo University and Hokkaido University, who both spoke about the difficulty of adjusting to life and coursework abroad.
"The return service agreement you're signing today isn't just paperwork โ it's the whole point. Everything we learn out there is meant to come back here," Mr. Dasalla said.
Dr. Busa urged the scholars to build strong relationships with their advisers and classmates, safeguard their research data, and seek out Filipino community networks abroad, as she had done during her own studies.
In her inspirational message, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Elma P. Apostol drew a parallel between the scholars' journey and Homer's Odyssey, tying the program's name โ LAYAG, Filipino for "to sail" โ to Odysseus's own long voyage home.
"Even if you will be encountering your Odyssey, please do not forget your Ithaca," she said, invoking Penelope and the loyal dog Argos as symbols of the loved ones who would wait for the scholars' return.
NVSU President Wilfredo A. Dumale, Jr. drew from his own experience studying at the University of Tokyo, encouraging the scholars to invest in their relationships with their thesis advisers. He also credited the university's growing partnerships โ with Mie University, Asian Institute of Technology, and the Department of Science and TechnologyโScience Education Institute (DOST-SEI), among others โ for making this and future scholarships possible.
Each of the eight scholars shared their own reflections on the journey ahead. Mr. Baral spoke about the challenge of entering a program outside his field, learning unfamiliar technical terms as he went and pushing himself to grow into the new discipline.
Ms. Banida made a simple pledge: "I will always carry NVSU in my heart, and I will return to serve."
Ms. Segundo said her scholarship is not a personal pursuit alone. "I do not go as an individual. I am carrying the name of this university. We are not going abroad to stay for good โ we are going to come back and bring back what we learned," she said.
Mr. Comia credited government scholarship support for his entire academic journey, from undergraduate studies to his upcoming doctorate. "I am now a DOST-SEI scholar through and through," he said, recounting support from the agency across three levels of his education.
Ms. Ibarra whose research centers on citrus as a high-value crop for upland farmers, spoke about the potential of her work to support agroforestry communities back home. "I promise to come back after my study to serve the NVSU community," she said.
Mr. Taclay spoke about the personal cost of the distance, including long stretches away from his family, and tied his scholarship to a department-wide goal. "My promise to my department is this: after finishing my PhD in Mathematics, my first goal is to become a COD or COE in Mathematics," he said, referring to Center of Development or Center of Excellence status the department has been pursuing since 2013.
Ms. De Leon returning to Hokkaido University for a second time, spoke about the mentors who guided her through her studies and her excitement to continue her research there.
Ms. Salaguste spoke about her department's long-term goals for her return. "We want to help the BS Math curriculum maintain its level status, and at the same time work toward a Center of Excellence or Center of Development standing," she said.
Faculty Regent Dr. Joey M. Villanueva delivered the closing remarks, reflecting on the university's internationalization efforts and encouraging the scholars to return home to contribute what they've learned.
As Dr. Dumale put it, "I believe that the future of NVSU is just going to get better... we are going to have a new group of internationally educated faculty and staff with different backgrounds, different perspectives, different experiences, and put them all together in the institution." With eight scholars now bound abroad, following last year's batch of 11 and more expected next year, the university continues to build a wider base of globally trained educators to strengthen its academic programs, research collaborations, and international partnerships.
