The Language Instruction Towards Excellence (LITE) Program of CAS-UPLB welcomed 20
undergraduate students from Kobe University, Hyogo, Japan, for a three-week English Plus
Course from February 25 to March 18, 2023.

With the goal of improving their English language proficiency skills and familiarizing with the
Philippine culture, the 14th batch of Kobe University students attended the program,
accompanied by their faculty guardians, Dr. Kengo Kanamaru and Dr. Daiki Hayashi. The
students were specifically given English lessons designed to enhance their pronunciation, oral
presentation skills, conversational fluency, and vocabulary building skills. Serving as language
tutors were Department of Humanities (DHUM)’s Asst. Prof. Ana Katrina P. De Jesus, DComm;
Asst. Prof. Elizabeth Segura-Krueger, Asst. Prof. Rudell A. Ramirez, and Ms. Jacqueline B.
Recaña, who also designed the course module for the students.

Programs and activities were designed to boost not only the learners’ language proficiency, but
also their intercultural awareness which included guided interactions with UPLB student-
guardians and facilitators, in-campus and historical tours in Intramuros and the National
Museum in Manila, and a cultural tour in Villa Escudero, Quezon Province.
The program concluded last March 17 with a graduation ceremony at the CAS Auditorium. It
was attended by the Kobe University students with their faculty guardians, Dr. Kengo Kanamaru
and Dr. Eri Chatani. Also present in the event were Dr. Maribel L. Dionisio-Sese, Dean for the
College of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. Katrina Ross A. Tan, Chair for the Department of
Humanities.

The entire LITE Program team headed by Asst. Prof. Kristine K. Adalla - Coordinator of the LITE
program, Asst. Prof. Jerard Ancel Eusebio - Asst. Coordinator of the LITE program, tutors,
administrative staff, student guardians and facilitators also attended the event.
Ms. Ayaka Omichi was awarded class Valedictorian and was also granted the Best in
Pronunciation Improvement and Oral Presentation Skills Awards. Meanwhile, Mr. Gakuto
Inaoka was given the Best in Conversational Fluency and Vocabulary Enrichment Award.
Currently serving as LITE Program Manager is CAS Dean Dr. Maribel L. Dionisio-Sese, with
DHUM’s Asst. Prof. Jerard Ancel Eusebio as program coordinator effective April 1, 2023.