The Capiz State University (CAPSU) was one of the awardees in the First Philippine Higher Education Internationalization Award organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the UP Open University (UPOU) during a virtual awarding ceremony held on May 19, 2021 via zoom and Facebook Live. The award was perceived to recognize the efforts of HEIs that have implemented internationalization initiatives which profited many Filipino students.

The prestigious award was a huge achievement for CAPSU being a neophyte in the field of internationalization program. The university’s internationalization program started in 2018 and gradually throve through the effort of the VPEAL Office headed by Dr. Mary Ann B. Martelino as the Vice President for External Affairs and Linkages. Moreover, this award was under the leadership of the University President Dr. Editha C. Alfon.

There were 44 HEIs eyed for the said internationalization award wherein three (3) were chosen as the top HEI with outstanding internationalization programs. The first prize was bagged by the Philippine Normal University, second was the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, and third was the St. Paul University. The 14 universities that were also awarded for their outstanding internationalization programs included Aklan State University, Ateneo de Davao, Atyeneo de Manila University, Capiz State University, Cebu Technological University, Central Bicol State University, Central Luzon State University, Iloilo Science and Technology University, Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology, Our Lady of Fatima University, St. Louis University, Samar State University, San Pedro College, and University of Manila College of Public Health. The universities were evaluated based on the merit of their creativity and innovativeness, impact, responsiveness, inclusivity, and sustainability initiated by HEIs in implementing their various programs.