Study Visit of BiPSU, part of a cooperative with AUAP and Siam University

Siam University recently welcomed a delegation from Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) in the Philippines, sponsored by the Association of Universities of the Asia Pacific (AUAP), for a dynamic week of learning, cultural exchange, and academic collaboration. A delegation of student leaders and faculty members visited Thailand for the first time and selected Siam University as their learning hub for a full-day masterclass experience.

The visit combined two major learning components, theory and practical experience, with a campus tour and peer-to-peer conversations with Siam University faculty, allowing BiPSU’s student leaders and administrators to explore new ideas for cross-border collaboration.

Learning Through Experience

Perception-Based Learning

The first session illustrated how people can view the same situation or hear the exact words and interpret them differently across cultures. This became the anchor of the workshop: leadership depends on how people perceive ambiguity, pressure, responsibility, tone, and people.

Campus Tour & Cross-Cultural Exchange

Beyond the workshop, the BiPSU delegation explored key parts of the campus, met faculty members, and learned about Siam University’s education philosophy, sustainability initiatives, and internationalization efforts.

Both BiPSU and Siam University discussed building deeper regional academic partnerships, encouraging student mobility, and expanding joint activities among member universities.

Student-Led and Student-Focused Learning

Many of the visiting students were active members of their student government at BiPSU. The workshops were structured to match their leadership roles, blending academic insight with practical, emotionally resonant lessons such as:

• how tone influences teamwork
• how interpretation shapes decisions
• how cultural difference affects communication
• how leadership emerges naturally, not through titles
• how management keeps teams structured and focused

A First Visit, but Not the Last

This visit marked BiPSU’s first time in Thailand and their first experience learning with Siam University faculty. The group’s energy, engagement, and curiosity stood out throughout the week.

Both institutions expressed enthusiasm for deeper collaboration for:

• joint student projects
• mobility programs
• research sharing
• sustainability initiatives
• cross-cultural leadership development

A Week of Learning, Connection, and Shared Purpose

By the end of the program, students and faculty walked away with:

• practical leadership tools
• new ways to interpret challenges
• a deeper understanding of teamwork
• cultural connections worth nurturing
• new academic partnerships to develop

The visit reflected Siam University’s commitment to preparing students—not just with knowledge, but with the mindset to lead in a changing world.