OVCSA co-hosts Swinburne students with ICS

The Learning Resource Center (LRC) and the International Student Relations (ISR) of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (OVCSA) spearheaded vital activities for 13 students from the Swinburne University of Technology (Swinburne) in Melbourne, Australia who participated in the two-week Study Abroad Program on Cybersecurity of the Institute of Computer Science (ICS).

LRC and ISR onboarded and toured the students and at the end of their study program, also held debriefing sessions for them.

The onboarding session was held on November 25, 2024 at Eliezer A. Albacea Hall of ICS. 

Kathleen Marie V. Paguio, ISR office assistant, gave a brief orientation on Philippine culture and discussed notable Filipino practices and events. 

Joshua Michael G. Jonas, LRC university research associate, introduced the students to UPLB, including its history, degree programs, recent academic achievements, and famous alumni. 

He also showed the Swinburne students some iconic sceneries and landmarks around UPLB. 

ICS director Maria Art Antonette D. Clariño and Reginald Neil C. Recario, assistant program coordinator of the Study Abroad Program, thanked the OVCSA units for sharing their time and effort in the session.

In the afternoon, LRC’s resident student assistants (SA) facilitated a guided tour of the university’s lower campus for the 13 students. 

Before the tour, the students visited the Student Union Building. They were welcomed by LRC Director Mariyel Hiyas C. Liwanag, the LRC staff, and LRC Fur Staff “Sylvie.” Coordinator Recario and Director Clariño also joined the tour. 

The SAs provided background information and trivia about the prominent buildings and landmarks they visited. The students also visited the National Biotechnology Week exhibit at the E.B. Copeland Gymnasium.

On December 6, 2024, LRC facilitated a debriefing session for the Swinburne students as part of the study tour’s culminating activities. 
Jonas facilitated the debriefing session through an art activity wherein the group was able to create and