MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines — Rizal Technological University’s (RTU) College of Education (CEd), through its Professional Education Department, welcomed Indonesian student teacher interns under the Southeast Asian Teacher (SEA Teacher) Project through the Philippine–Indonesia Student Teacher Exchange and Cultural Immersion Program. The initiative strengthens the RTU’s commitment to international collaboration and borderless education.

Led by Dr. Wendelyn A. Samarita, CEd Dean, Instr. Mariacil Agustin-Villanueva, Head of the Professional Education Department and Pre-Service Teacher Supervisor, and Assoc. Prof. Donato Z. Estocada, Director of the International Affairs and Linkages Office, the welcoming program marked the beginning of the interns’ teaching and cultural immersion in the Philippines.

With support from the Schools Division Office of Mandaluyong City, the Indonesian interns will undertake teaching placements in selected local schools, including the RTU Laboratory High School. During their internship, they will observe classroom practices, conduct teaching activities, and collaborate with Filipino educators and learners while gaining a deeper understanding of Philippine education and culture.

In a reciprocal exchange, 11 RTU pre-service teachers are also scheduled to undertake practice teaching in partner schools in Indonesia. This experience will allow them to explore different teaching approaches, adapt to diverse learning environments, and develop their confidence and cultural awareness as future educators.

By connecting classrooms and communities across countries, the SEA Teacher Project brings borderless education into practice. It creates opportunities for mutual learning and prepares future teachers to serve diverse learners with competence, respect, and understanding.

With the first-ever exchange between RTU and other Southeast Asian teacher education institutions under the SEA Teacher Project, Pandayang Rizalia takes a new step forward towards its transnational university aspirations.