Published December 05, 2025 by CSU-Gonzaga Paragon
Cultural convergence and international engagement.
Delegates of the Nexus Summit 2025 visited Cagayan State University—Gonzaga (CSU-G) and participated in a series of cultural presentations on Dec. 4 at the Bamboo Café.
The delegates witnessed performances by the Indayog Performing Arts Bureau (IPAB) that showcased the traditions and culture of the Ilocano people.
Dr. Norahim Ibrahim, a faculty delegate from the University of Technology Malaysia (UTM), described his visit as “close to home.”
“I came from Malaysia, and it feels so close to home. The food and culture are almost similar. I don’t feel like being outside Malaysia. It feels like meeting another relative from a different village,” he said.
Dr. Ibrahim also praised the campus’s greenery and the hospitality of CSU-G, calling them among the university’s many attractions.
“The first thing I liked about the campus is the greenery; I think about the people themselves, the hospitality, and the environment. Those are one of many attractions,” he said.
On the summit’s significance, Dr. Ibrahim highlighted its role in strengthening international connections.
“The summit is a good platform for students and staff because it establishes connections and communication to know more about the internationalization agenda,” he said.
Dr. Marie Cristina Cauilan, Vice President for Internationalization, Partnership, and Resource Mobilization, explained that the Nexus Summit 2025 supports CSU’s short-term internationalization initiatives.
“Nexus Summit supports our internationalization efforts at CSU by contributing to our goals on the development and implementation of a short-term internationalization program and partnership,” Dr. Cauilan said.
She further emphasized that the summit provides faculty opportunities to present innovations and establish relationships for accreditation and future partnerships.
“The Nexus Summit is not only contributing to internationalization, but also to faculty development. This gives them the chance to present their research in the international arena,” Dr. Cauilan added.
Highlighting CSU-G’s growing global presence, Dr. Cauilan said: “We are making a mark in the international arena, and this is one of the strategies we have: to promote the existence of CSU to the whole world.”
The Nexus Summit partnered with five foreign higher education institutions under the leadership of the Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the University President, Dr. Arthur G. Ibanez.
The university’s eyes to initiate more internationalization efforts as CSU’s global presence grows. #
Photos by: Ms. Jean Torres, Jhadee Sebastian, Karizza Calipdan, and John Emerson Castro
Written by: Lenin Marx S. Siazon and Jet S. Siazon