Rex Langngag, Dean of the College of Agriculture at Kalinga State University, completed an International Summer Course Program in Bogor, Indonesia, held from September 2 to 9, 2023. This esteemed program, a project in partnership with the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED) under the Leveling-Up Philippine Higher Education Institutions in Agriculture, Fisheries, and Natural Resources (LevelUPHEI AFAR) initiative, aims to strengthen the institutional capacities of State Universities and Colleges in the Philippines. LevelUPHEI AFAR, working through the Association of Colleges of Agriculture in the Philippines, Inc. (SUC-ACAP, Inc.) and its 75 members, provides short-term training, cross-visits, and participation in international university consortiums to foster knowledge exchange and agricultural advancements.

The “Tropical Agricultural Environment toward Regional Sustainability” course focused on tropical agriculture. While primarily directed at food production for local communities, tropical agriculture also emphasizes the cultivation of cash crops to drive regional economic sustainability. Dean Langngag’s participation is set to enhance Kalinga State University's capacity to integrate sustainable tropical agricultural practices with insights gained from leading international research and field applications. This initiative underscores KSU’s commitment to advancing regional agricultural practices, aligning with CHED’s mission to elevate higher education institutions in the Philippines.