Caraga State U advances global education with membership in ASEAN university network
By Renelle L. Escuadro
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — Caraga State University, with campuses in the Cities of Butuan and Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte, advances global education as it recently gained membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA).
This milestone solidifies the university’s position as a competitive university, strengthening its quality education under Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) No. 4 on quality education, opening doors to stronger international partnerships, increased academic mobility, and a reputation for world-class education and research beyond ASEAN.
In its official communication, the AUN-QA Secretariat congratulated the CSU and confirmed that it has fulfilled the requirements for its membership effective March 20, 2026. “As an associate member, the University now gains access to AUN-QA opportunities, including program-level and institutional assessments, regional collaboration projects, knowledge exchange, international mobility, and institutional visibility within the ASEAN higher education community.”
It added that these advantages contribute to improving the University’s competitiveness, employability of graduates, and program alignment with global standards.
According to Director Aquessa R. Piamonte of the CSU’s Public Information and Communication Office, this international membership aligns with the core goals of the LIKHA Agenda, the university’s current strategic plan, and ensures that the university’s quality assurance systems are comparable to those of higher education institutions (HEIs) across the ASEAN region.
She shared that before this membership, select personnel attended the AUN-QA tier 1 training course in Bangkok, Thailand, and a self-assessment report (SAR) writing workshop in Davao City in 2025.
“Within the same year, CSU also conducted two internal workshops to realign efforts, share insights and strategies, and strengthen institutional readiness in preparation for the AUN-QA program assessment, scheduled for this year, 2026,” she said.
“Beyond the assessment, CSU, through the leadership of University President Rolyn C. Daguil, envisions this membership to open wider academic opportunities to international partnerships, academic mobility, and a reputation for world-class education and research,” Piamonte added.
Meanwhile, the term ‘likha,’ meaning to create or develop, captures the essence of the university’s commitment to global competence, built on its core strengths—talents, assets, and opportunities.
The CSU’s LIKHA framework serves as follows: Launchpad for Global Talents and Innovators; Interdependent and High-Impact Coalition; Knowledge, Co-Creation, and Technopreneurship; Hub for Academic Innovation; Advancement in Administrative Systems and Digital Transformation. (RLE, PIA Dinagat Islands, with a report from PICO-CSU)