CPU Librarians Engage as Resource Speakers and Accreditors in Yangon, Myanmar
By Via Marie F. Dumenden, RL
CPU Henry Luce III Library personnel, Prof. Vince Ervin V. Palcullo, RL, MAIS (Archives, Special Collection, and Bahandian Institutional Repository Librarian), and Ms. Via Marie F. Dumenden, RL (Serials and Filipiniana Librarian), recently participated in international engagements in Yangon, Myanmar this October 2025. Their roles as resource speakers and accreditors occurred during ATESEA-led training and accreditation activities, underscoring Central Philippine University’s expanding leadership in digital preservation and theological education support.
The invitation came from the Association for Theological Education in Southeast Asia (ATESEA), under the direction of Dr. Limuel Equiña, ATESEA Director. The collaboration highlights CPU’s growing prominence in building robust library services and sustaining scholarly resources across the region.
Training in Digital Preservation
From October 23–24, 2025, Prof. Palcullo and Ms. Dumenden led a two-day Training on Digital Preservation at the Myanmar Institute of Theology. The program covered core strategies and practical techniques for digitization, management of institutional repositories, and ensuring long-term accessibility to academic collections. Participants comprised librarians, library staff, and IT professionals from several theological institutions.
Accreditation Activities in Yangon
Following the training, CPU librarians joined a broader team to serve as accreditors for multiple seminaries in Yangon from October 27–30, 2025. Working within ATESEA’s accreditation framework, they evaluated aspects such as library services, collections, staffing, facilities, and information literacy initiatives. These assessments help uphold high standards in theological education and verify that institutions meet the academic and resource requirements defined by ATESEA.
Impact and Focus
Prof. Palcullo and Ms. Dumenden’s involvement illustrates the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange in supporting ATESEA’s mission to strengthen library services, elevate academic quality, and enhance theological education across Southeast Asia. Their efforts contribute to a shared commitment to accessible, well-managed scholarly resources and to the ongoing professional development of library personnel in the region.
Controversy & Engagement
The collaboration invites discussion on how regional accreditation bodies balance standardization with local context. Do centralized standards adequately address diverse institutional needs, or should accreditation afford greater flexibility to reflect unique cultural and educational landscapes? Share your thoughts on how international partnerships can best support libraries and theological education in your context.
