The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) College of Development Education (Pili) and the College of Education (Calabanga) officially inaugurated the “Global Classroom Lecture Series: CBSUA BEED Alumni in Action – Elementary Teaching Across the Globe” on April 26, 2025. Conducted via Zoom and organized under the Student Exposure Program (SEP), the first day of the event featured an inspiring presentation by CBSUA alumna Ms. Merriam Asis Hermogeno about her experiences teaching in the United Arab Emirates.
The online event drew 165 Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEED) students from various CBSUA campuses and was spearheaded by Dr. Cherry Love B. Montales, Director of the International Relations Office.
In her talk, titled “UAE Classrooms: The Life of a Filipino Teacher”, Ms. Hermogeno provided a glimpse into her daily life abroad, her experiences teaching in a multicultural environment, classroom practices prevalent in the UAE, the challenges she encountered, her strategies for overcoming them, and the ways she integrates Filipino values into her classroom instruction.
The opening program featured encouraging messages from Dr. Melinda Pan, Dean of the College of Development Education, and Assoc. Prof. Karen B. Perez, Program Chairperson of Elementary Education. Assist. Prof. Mary Grace Polvoriza introduced the guest speaker. Also in attendance were Dr. Jenelyn Aguelo, Dean of the College of Education Calabanga Campus, and Program Chairperson Nilda Olores, along with BEED students from the Calabanga campus.
The Global Classroom Lecture Series is designed to broaden BEED students’ understanding of international teaching methodologies, diverse elementary education curricula, inclusive and culturally sensitive teaching approaches, and the integration of digital tools in education. This initiative directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Quality Education by exposing students to global perspectives and equipping them to become inclusive, competitive, and future-ready educators.
The successful launch of the series signals a promising start to the weeklong program, motivating students to envision their careers extending beyond national borders while embodying the spirit of CBSUA wherever their professional journeys may lead.
