KSU Joins the First ever Masterclass for Filipino Leaders in Advancing International Reputations: FLAIR KUMINWANI MASTERCLASS 2022

With the vision to make CAR HEIs Visibly Strong in International Reputations, the Commission on Higher Education CAR and CHED- International Affairs Staff partnered with CAR Higher Education Institutions in launching the first-ever Masterclass on International Ranking for HEIs in the Philippines, titled "FLAIR KUMINWANI" (Filipino Leaders in Advancing International Reputations).

The event consists of masterclass series shared by the different internationally ranked Philippine HEIs such as Mariano Marcos State University, De La Salle University-Manila, St. Louis University, and Tarlac Agricultural University.

Participated by eighty-five Higher Education Faculty and Staff from ASIST, ASC, BSU, KSU, IFSU, SLU, UB, and UC, the three-day event commenced with the signing of the Commitment Vision by the presidents and heads of the HEIs.

As stated by CHED International Affairs Staff, the various ranking exercises conducted by global higher education data providers have been instrumental in establishing benchmarks for academic preference as well as introducing a competitive market into higher education. The results have been crucial, not only in terms of quality assurance but on the institution’s reputation as a whole.

The Kalinga State University continues its efforts towards internationalization by increasing its visibility in the global community through a systematic and targeted attainment of international university ranking standards and criteria such as the QS Ranking, Times Ranking and WURI Ranking. In preparation for this big tasks, six (6) faculty members and officials attended CHED's first-ever masterclass for internationalization.

The KSU participants under the Kuminwani Class of 2022 are:

 Dr. Robert A. Rodolfo, Dr. Rhonda Vail G. Leyaley,Dr. Jessie Grace M. Sannadan, Dr. Pinky Larcelle L. Gas-ib, Dr. Ruth L. Ladwingon, Dr. Marilou B. Adora, Prof. Ronald U. Wacas, and Prof. Lourdes Adeline Nicole Y. Cosmiano

"Kuminwani" in Ifugao is an adjective that means "most skillful, the chosen one, the right one, or well- prepared".

The event aimed to work together with the different Cordillera HEIs in showcasing their uniqueness and their contributions to the region, the country and the world.

This is the first ever masterclass of this nature in the whole Philippines that considers a regional approach in internationalization initiatives. The second series is scheduled in September 2022.

The participants from KSU are tasked to present the status of the Kalinga State University vis a vis the rating tools of the Quacquarelli Symonds, Times Higher Education Rankings and World Universities with Real Impact (WURI) rankings. It must be noted that the Kalinga State University is ranked 101-200 in the 2022 WURI Rankings. /Jessie Grace Sannadan