Negros Oriental State University (NORSU), through its Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) and the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM), participated in the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office XVIII–Negros Island Region (CHEDRO XVIII–NIR) capacity-building workshop held on August 3, 2026, at the University of St. La Salle (USLS), Bacolod City.

Anchored on the theme, "Transforming Higher Education: ETEEAP and Sustainable Curriculum Innovation for Hospitality Management, Tourism Management, and Business Programs," the workshop reaffirmed the participants' commitment to academic excellence, curriculum innovation, and quality assurance. Representing the University were Dr. Rose Marie Pinili, Director of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP); Dr. Tulip F. Lopez, Dean of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM); Dr. Millard Vaughn Tubog, Associate Dean of CTHM; Prof. Jane B. Leyva, Chairperson of the Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management Program; Prof. Helen T. Cabije, CTHM Extension Coordinator; and Ms. Varian Saldua, representing the University International Relations Office.

The workshop convened higher education leaders, international relations officers, and academic administrators from across the Negros Island Region to strengthen institutional understanding of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), promote sustainable curriculum innovation, and encourage the integration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into higher education programs. The knowledge and best practices gained from the workshop are expected to further strengthen the University's initiatives in curriculum enhancement, quality assurance, internationalization, and the expansion of flexible learning pathways through ETEEAP.

The sessions featured discussions on emerging trends in curriculum development, quality assurance, outcomes-based education, and lifelong learning, equipping participating institutions with practical strategies for developing responsive, industry-aligned, and globally competitive academic programs.

The NORSU delegation expressed its gratitude to University President Dr. Noel Marjon Yasi, the University Administration, and CHED Regional Director Dr. Raul C. Alvarez Jr. for their steadfast support of academic excellence, faculty development, innovation, international engagement, and initiatives that promote collaboration and quality assurance among higher education institutions across the region.

The University extends its sincere appreciation to the University of St. La Salle (USLS) for co-hosting the activity and for its warm hospitality and excellent facilitation of the workshop.