The Benguet State University (BSU) College of Numeracy and Applied Sciences (CNAS), under the leadership of Dean Ederson G. Bawang, through the initiative of the Statistics Department, conducted a benchmarking visit to Pangasinan State University (PSU)–Lingayen Campus on September 16, 2025.  The activity, titled “Meeting of Minds,” served as a platform for collaboration and exchange of best practices between the two institutions.

The BSU delegation was welcomed at the Kalachuchi Hall, PSU Golden Lion Hotel by officials from the PSU-Urdaneta Campus, led by Christine Lourrine Tablatin, Dean of the College of Computing. She was joined by Marvin Merlin, Chairperson of the Mathematics and Natural Science Department; Caren Ambat, Chairperson of the Information Technology Department; and Bobby Roaring, Research Coordinator and Head of the Statistics Center.

Juan Primitivo P. Petrola, Director of the PSU Presidential Management and Liaison Office, underscored the importance of strengthening institutional partnerships and academic collaborations along with the call for developing graduates who are not only intellectually capable but also empathetic citizens.

The two universities engaged in substantive discussions covering the implementing rules and regulations of the PSU Statistics Center, the challenges encountered in its operations, and the strategies undertaken to address them.

Other exchanges focused on best practices in extension services, particularly in conducting impact assessments, as well as in forging local and international linkages and partnerships. Both institutions also explored potential agreements on student exchange programs and identified areas for future collaborative undertakings.

The “Meeting of Minds” activity highlighted the shared commitment of BSU and PSU to strengthen academic, research, and extension initiatives through meaningful collaboration and sustained partnership. This initiative also reflects BSU-CNAS’s support for #SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals).//NWSibaen