We were very saddened to learn that Dr. Doris Ogdoc-Gascon, University Director for Internationalization and ASEAN Integration of Cebu Technological University has passed away due to COVID-19. Doris was an inspirational international education leader at her own institution and a wonderful colleague to work with for FRIENDS partners. We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to her family, friends, and co-workers in the Philippines.

Dr. Doris Ogdoc-Gascon is the University Director for Internationalization and ASEAN Integration of Cebu Technological University. She is the first to be designated in that position since the CTU office of Internationalization and ASEAN Integration was established in August 2016. In 2017, she was among the selected 15 in the Philippines to join the month Internationalization Training in Canada, sponsored by the Canadian Bureau for International Education and the Commission on Higher Education. As a result, she was able to design the 5-year Strategic Internationalization Plan of the university. She was also involved in the crafting of the Philippine higher education’s Strategic Internationalization Plan.

In 2018, CTU was awarded by CHED for its Internationalization Training. And through Gascon’s leadership, active partnerships with Erasmus (European Union), Asian Technological University, CHED, and other Philippine state universities and colleges were formed.

Furthermore, through Gascon’s directorship, Cebu Technological University bagged the 1st Philippine Higher Education Internationalization Award by CHED and UP-OU during the 1st National Higher Education Day and 27th CHED Anniversary in May of 2021. In addition, CHED Region VII made her the Resource Speaker for Internationalization of SUCs during that CHED Anniversary celebration.

She has been awarded Presidential Citations as the University Director for three times now. Dr. Gascon is an associate professor IV and has a doctorate degree in Literature and Communication.