Rizal Technological University (RTU) successfully completed its two-day capacity-building program titled “Voices Without Borders” on April 27–28, 2026. The event was organized by the RTU Extension and Community Services Office under the Office of the Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services, in partnership with the University of the Philippines–Diliman’s (UPD) Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature, as a move towards the development of a language program for RTU’s foreign students.

The program featured lectures, workshops, and discussions aimed at enhancing participants’ knowledge and skills in second language teaching, curriculum development, and assessment.

On the first day, the morning session began with an engaging discussion on the University’s current status of internationalization initiatives and visions from the International Affairs and Linkages Office.

The discussion was followed by a lecture on Second Language Theory and practice delivered by UPD Prof. Ronel O. Laranjo, PhD, who provided both theoretical foundations and practical strategies for language acquisition and teaching.

The afternoon workshop on syllabus development, facilitated by UPD Prof. Ma. Althea T. Enriquez, PhD, allowed participants to actively design instructional materials aligned with second language teaching principles.

The second day featured an engaging workshop on materials development led by UPD Asst. Prof. April J. Perez, who guided them in creating effective and culturally responsive learning resources.

The program concluded with a discussion on assessment, where UPD Asst. Prof. Ariel U. Bosque led an insightful session on evaluation methods and tools for measuring language proficiency and learning outcomes.

The “Voices Without Borders” program provided a meaningful platform for educators and participants to deepen their understanding of second language teaching methodologies. The expertise of distinguished speakers fostered collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional growth among attendees, in line with RTU’s commitment to advancing research, innovation, and extension services that empower educators and strengthen academic communities.