The University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) conducted a virtual benchmarking session with the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) Department of Communication and Development Studies on January 30, 2026, highlighting the University’s Bachelor of Science in Community Development (BSCD) program and its best practices in community-oriented higher education.

Organized by the College of Development Management at the Mintal Campus, the activity served as a platform for academic exchange and institutional learning, reinforcing both universities’ commitment to strengthening development education and community engagement initiatives.

The session commenced with a USeP promotional audio-visual presentation, offering participants an overview of the University’s academic environment and institutional achievements. This was followed by welcome remarks from Dr. Grace Meroflor A. Lantajo, Dean of the College of Development Management, who underscored the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing among higher education institutions in advancing responsive and transformative academic programs.

Dr. Andrea May C. Malonzo, Head of the CLSU Department of Communication and Development Studies, then presented the rationale behind CLSU’s benchmarking initiative. She emphasized the department’s ongoing efforts to enhance its academic offerings and to strengthen its capacity to deliver community-centered instruction aligned with national and global development goals.

The highlight of the session was the comprehensive presentation of USeP’s Bachelor of Science in Community Development program by Dr. Bernadeth A. Talip, BSCD Program Head. The presentation detailed the program’s foundational rationale and curricular structure, alongside its implementation and management strategies. It also showcased the program’s teaching–learning approaches, particularly its integration of community immersion as a core component, as well as its mechanisms for sustaining meaningful community engagement. Dr. Talip further shared the program’s quality assurance practices, including key insights on securing the Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC), providing valuable guidance for institutions pursuing similar academic pathways.

An open forum followed, allowing for an engaging exchange of insights and experiences between the two institutions. Members of the CLSU delegation commended the USeP BSCD core group for its strong emphasis on experiential learning and its effective linkage between classroom instruction and field-based community work. They noted that the program’s immersion-driven approach offers a compelling model for fostering socially responsive graduates equipped to address real-world development challenges.

In closing, the USeP BSCD team expressed its support for CLSU’s initiative to establish its own Bachelor of Science in Community Development program, conveying optimism for its successful implementation. The session concluded with a shared commitment to sustain collaboration and dialogue in advancing community-focused higher education.

The CLSU delegation was led by Dr. Andrea May C. Malonzo and included Assistant Professor Zorille D. Villaflores, Ms. Maria Loida D. Irabagon, Ms. Lynnel M. Alejandro, Mr. Christopher C. Gonzales, Mr. Mark Bryan Gusi, and Mr. Paolo Carl E. Soliven. The session was moderated by Mr. Roel S. Sayson, BSCD faculty member and Extension Head, who facilitated the discussions and ensured the attainment of the session’s benchmarking objectives.