SISFU celebrates its 27th anniversary. Present at the event, SISFU Founder and Chief Executive Mentor – Dr. Genevieve Ledesma-Laurel, SISFU President – Dr. Jocelyn Tizon, SISFU EVP – Dr. Nancy De Guia, SISFU Chairman – Dr. Melva Diamante, Sr. Director for Strategy and Partnerships – Mr. Daniel Steel, De Montfort University Faculty of Business and Law – Mr. Ian Thomas, Sr. Director for OBL Programmes – Mr. Leo Anoche, Ched’s Chief Education Program Specialist (CHED-NCR) – Mr. Victorino Datuin, and Country Business Development Manager Pearson – Mr. Mark Flores

Last February 27, 2025, Southville International School Affiliated with Foreign Universities celebrated its 27th anniversary. The week-long celebration was marked with a Filipiniana-themed opening ceremony – a fitting motif for SISFU’s continuing efforts to bring the Philippines to the forefront of transnational education.

SISFU Chairman, Dr. Melva Diamante delivered a warm welcome, setting the tone for the powerful and insightful lineup of speakers that were to follow that day. She highlighted the institution’s values and commitment to world-class education. SGEN President, Dr. Jocelyn Tizon gave an inspiring address on the school’s continuing pursuit of academic innovation and excellence. Chief Executive Mentor, Dr. Genevieve Laurel-Ledesma, took the stage reminding students about the quality and unwavering mission of SISFU towards excellence and real world readiness. In his signature warmth and humor, Dean of Academics, Mr. Daniel Steel highlighted SISFU’s achievements in equal parts insight and entertainment. A video from the Marketing Department was later presented highlighting the creativity, passion, and achievements that define SISFU.

In highlighting the impact of the years-long partnership with a world-ranked UK institution, De Montfort University’s Associate Dean, Mr. Ian Thomas spoke about the increasingly competitive international landscape and how the DMU-SISFU graduates are being prepared to take on the challenges of the globalized workforce. Pearson Country Business Development Manager, Mr. Mark Thomas, spoke about the benefits of UK credentials through Pearson programmes. Both their talks highlighted how in a UK-patterned curriculum, specialization and mastery are given special attention, one which US-based counterparts lack. This emphasis on specialization allows graduates to have a level of learning above the ordinary, allowing them to be better equipped for what awaits beyond campus. 

The Commission on Higher Education’s Chief Education Program Specialist (CHED-NCR), Mr. Victorino Datuin also graced the event delivering a keynote address praising SISFU’s sustained commitment to 27 years of educational excellence. He highlighted the school’s numerous remarkable achievements throughout the years and its continued outlook towards the mission of transnational education through strategic partnerships with DMU, Pearson, and the like. 

The day was further filled with enriching entertainment from students and recognition of valued industry partners. It was an amazing opportunity to look back at the many achievements of SISFU and to dream about more milestones for the institution in the years to come. Through innovation and strategic partnerships with top-tier international partners, SISFU is committed to pioneering transnational education efforts in the Philippines. 

Southville International School affiliated with Foreign Universities (SISFU) is the pioneer in transnational education in the Philippines committed to exacting standards and academic excellence. SISFU is located at Lima cor. Luxembourg Sts. BF International, Las Pinas City, Philippines. For more information, please visit https://www.sisfu.edu.ph/