Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan continues its commitment to global academic excellence as it welcomed visiting international experts, signaling the start of a week-long series of collaborative engagements.
On 19 January 2026, University President Fr Mars P Tan, SJ, welcomed Prof Adrian Riquelme from the University of Alicante, Spain, and Prof Veerle Van den Eynden from Hasselt University, Belgium. The meeting serves as a cornerstone for the university’s ongoing internationalization efforts, particularly through the lens of high-impact research and digital innovation.
The visiting professors are key collaborators in XU’s major international projects:
- Prof Veerle for OERDPI-ACCELERATE: Open Education in Research Data Management to Accelerate Open and Responsible Science Policy and Implementation in Higher Education Institutions. It is funded by VLIRUOS, the leading funding body for scholarships and for partnerships between academics from Flanders and partner institutions in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, focused on global sustainable development.
Prof Veerle with Fr Mars, Dr Dalagan and the OERDPI-ACCELERATE Project Team Members of XU
- Prof Adrian for DIGIHAZ: The main objective of this project is to develop doctoral programs focused on digital transformation applied to natural disaster management in Southeast Asian countries. It is funded by the EU-ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity Package – Higher Education Programme (SCOPE-HE) under the Global Gateway initiative.
Fr Mars with Prof Adrian with SD Staff and DIGIHAZ Team Members of XU
While the meetings were conducted separately to address the specific goals of each project, the underlying theme was clear: global partnership. Members of both project teams were present during the meeting to discuss the roadmap for the week and the long-term sustainability of these partnerships.
Prof Riquelme and Prof Van den Eynden are scheduled for a packed itinerary over the next five days, including lectures, workshops, and networking activities.
This dual engagement underscores XU’s proactive stance in the global academic arena. By bridging local expertise with international perspectives, the university continues to cultivate a world-class environment where faculty and students are empowered through high-level research and cross-border innovation.