Two faculty members of UC College of Criminal Justice Education, Dr. Debbie Karyle Arquero and Dr. Nica Togana, were awarded the Global Minds–Short Research Stay at Ghent University, Belgium, following a competitive application process. Dr. Arquero participated from September to December 2025, while Dr. Togana attended from October to November 2025.

During their research stay, the faculty members utilized the advanced library resources and dedicated research workspace of Ghent University’s Faculty of Law and Criminology. They received academic mentoring from their assigned promoters, Prof. Tom Vander Beken and Prof. Jelle Janssens, and successfully developed a research proposal. In addition, they participated in research days, dissertation defenses, and faculty lectures, gaining exposure to international research practices.

The program enhanced their research competencies and reinforced the College’s commitment to global research collaboration, positioning its faculty to contribute more effectively to scholarly advancement and knowledge exchange.

This initiative supports the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Quality Education (SDG 4) through research capacity building, Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8) by strengthening professional skills, and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17) by fostering international academic collaboration.