Faculty members and students of La Consolacion College Bacolod gained broader perspectives on regional cooperation, international education and cultural exchange during the 59th ASEAN Founding Anniversary Celebration in the Negros Island Region on Aug. 5.
Held at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum, the celebration carried the theme “Navigating Our Future, Together” and was staged alongside NAM-EATS: Flavors of Southeast Asia, an ASEAN food, tourism and culinary innovation festival.
The event brought together representatives from higher education, government and industry to highlight the role of international partnerships in strengthening academic quality and preparing students for an increasingly interconnected world.
Keynote discussions emphasized the importance of internationalizing higher education institutions through sustainable cross-border partnerships, academic exchanges and collaborative programs. Speakers also underscored the need for schools to align their programs with international standards to equip students with the knowledge, skills and cultural competence required in global workplaces.
For LCC Bacolod hospitality and tourism students, the event provided an opportunity to see how regional cooperation influences education, tourism and the service industry.
The NAM-EATS festival complemented the academic discussions through presentations and showcases centered on Southeast Asian cuisine, tourism and cultural heritage. The activities demonstrated how food and hospitality can serve as platforms for cultural understanding, innovation and regional unity.
Faculty members and students also witnessed how traditional culinary practices can be preserved while being adapted to changing consumer preferences and emerging tourism trends.
The delegation’s participation reinforced LCC Bacolod’s commitment to providing learning opportunities that extend beyond the classroom and expose students to regional developments in hospitality, tourism and culinary innovation.
Through engagements such as the ASEAN anniversary celebration, the college continues to strengthen the global outlook of its students and prepare them to become culturally responsive and competitive professionals in the hospitality and tourism industries.