International Students from Developing Countries

With policies in place to support international students, Leyte Normal University (LNU) demonstrates its commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunities for students from diverse economic backgrounds. Among its international students is Xianglin Niu, a Chinese citizen enrolled in the Master in Special Education program since August 11, 2023. LNU creates an environment where international students can thrive, offering them the resources and support they need to succeed academically and culturally. This inclusivity contributes to LNU’s broader mission of fostering global partnerships and reducing educational inequalities, ensuring that all students, regardless of nationality, have the opportunity to achieve their academic goals.

Leyte Normal University hosted 19 students from Chung Hua University, Hsinchu City, Taiwan, for a transformative cultural exchange program held from July 9 to 12, 2024, under its Internationalization Program Initiatives. A highlight of the short-term engagement was the English language enhancement sessions, where the visiting students attended classes facilitated by LNU faculty members, providing them with authentic, classroom-based learning experiences in English communication. These sessions not only strengthened the participants’ language proficiency but also fostered academic interaction and cultural exchange between LNU educators and Taiwanese learners. Alongside these classes, the students participated in local sports, traditional craftsmanship, and culinary activities, and explored cultural and historical landmarks across Leyte and Samar. In support of equitable international learning, LNU partially sponsored some of the program’s cultural exchange activities, travel arrangements, and hosting requirements, ensuring that all participants could meaningfully engage in and benefit from the full experience. This initiative reflects inclusive and equitable international learning opportunities that promote language development, cross-cultural understanding, and educational collaboration among diverse communities.

For more details, click on this link

Number of Students with Disability

Republic Act No. 7277, also known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, underscores the government’s responsibility to provide equal opportunities and access to essential services, including education and healthcare. In line with this commitment, Leyte Normal University remains dedicated to providing a nondiscriminatory learning environment, ensuring that all students, regardless of their abilities, have equal access to educational opportunities and resources.

Number of Employees with Disabilities

Leyte Normal University (LNU) is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Institutional policies emphasize the importance of non-discrimination, with clear guidelines that support the hiring and advancement of employees with disabilities. By adhering to these standards, LNU not only ensures compliance with national policies on equal opportunity but also strengthens its commitment to inclusivity within its institutional culture.

Leyte Normal University recorded an average of over 300 employees, among whom several were identified as having various physical, sensory, and health-related conditions. This steady representation signifies the university’s commitment to fostering a workplace that values inclusivity, equity, and participation among all personnel. Through fair employment practices, accessible work environments, and continuous support for staff with differing abilities, LNU strengthens its institutional culture of diversity and empowerment. These efforts reflect the university’s broader pursuit of a just and inclusive community where every individual, regardless of physical condition, is given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to academic and organizational excellence.

Non-Discriminatory Admissions Policy

Leyte Normal University (LNU) upholds a non-discriminatory admissions policy as outlined in its Admissions Manual, ensuring equal access to educational opportunities for all students, including those from marginalized and vulnerable groups. The policy explicitly welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, such as Indigenous Peoples, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and graduates from the Alternative Learning System (ALS), as long as they meet the general and specific program requirements.

LNU’s policy framework aligns with national laws that advocate for inclusive education. The university’s admissions procedures are grounded in principles of equity and access, fostering a learning environment where all students have the opportunity to succeed. This commitment reflects LNU’s dedication to social inclusion and reinforces its role as an institution that values diversity and equal opportunity in higher education.

• LNU Merit System for Personnel

Tracking Underrepresented Groups Applications

Admission Policies for Underrepresented Groups

As detailed in the LNU Admissions Manual and Student Handbook specifically in Article XXII Admission & Registration, the university ensures fair admission processes, eliminating discrimination based on socio-economic status, ethnicity, gender, or physical abilities.

In alignment with the University’s commitment to expanding access to underrepresented groups, institutional efforts are guided by the principle of monitoring and supporting applications and admissions of diverse learners, including low-income students, ethnic minorities, non-traditional learners, women, LGBTQ+ students, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized sectors.

Supporting this commitment, Leyte Normal University employs a data-driven and evidence-based approach to ensure equitable access and inclusivity in student admissions. Various institutional monitoring reports serve as concrete bases for tracking the participation of underrepresented and potentially underrepresented groups. Among these are the Enrollment Countdown Summary by Gender, Excerpt from the Certified List of Scholarship Program Applicants, and the Summary Report on First-Generation Students in the First-Year. These comprehensive datasets collectively provide insight into demographic profiles, socio-economic backgrounds, and equity indicators such as gender, scholarship affiliation, and first-generation student representation.

To further strengthen transparency and accessibility, information and results of student applications and scholarship opportunities are publicly posted through the University’s official social media channels, including the LNU official Facebook page for general admissions updates and the LNU Guidance Office page for scholarship-related announcements. This practice ensures that information reaches a wider audience.

By regularly updating and analyzing these reports, LNU maintains a systematic framework for measuring and evaluating access trends among students from diverse backgrounds—ensuring that interventions remain responsive, inclusive, and aligned with the University’s mission to uphold diversity, equity, and access to quality higher education.

Recruitment of Individuals Belonging to Underrepresented Groups

The university follows a transparent, system-based process that emphasizes equal opportunity and inclusivity, ensuring that qualified students and candidates, regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, or socio-economic background, have fair access to education and career opportunities. To enhance accessibility, LNU posts vacancy announcements and enrollment schedules on its official website, social media platforms, and physical announcement boards within and outside the campus. These inclusive practices reflect LNU’s dedication to fostering a diverse and representative academic community, promoting a culture that values varied perspectives and experiences for enriched learning and institutional growth.

Leyte Normal University is committed to recruiting students, staff, and faculty from underrepresented groups, as outlined in its Enrollment Schedule and Merit System for Personnel. To ensure transparency and equal opportunity, the University regularly posts its enrollment schedules and employee recruitment announcements on its official LNU Facebook page, making information accessible to the public and promoting inclusivity in both academic and employment opportunities.

 The university follows a transparent, merit-based recruitment process that emphasizes equal opportunity and inclusivity, ensuring that qualified candidates, regardless of gender, disability, ethnicity, or socio-economic background, have fair access to positions.

These inclusive practices, combined with proactive recruitment strategies, reflect LNU’s dedication to fostering a diverse and representative academic community, promoting a culture that values varied perspectives and experiences for enriched learning and institutional growth.

• Enrollment for Graduate School Students

Posting of Job Vacancies (2023)

• Multiple Vacancies
• Attorney IV
• School Marshalls
• Website Services Officers
• Multiple Vacancies for June 2023
• Multiple Vacancies for October 2023

Posting of Job Vacancies (2024)

• BSIT Part-time Instructors
• Multiple Vacancies for February 2024
• BSED English and BAEL Part-time Instructors
• Multiple Vacancies for College Instructors

Access Schemes for Underrepresented Groups

As detailed in the LNU Admissions Manual, the university ensures fair admission processes, eliminating discrimination based on socio-economic status, ethnicity, gender, or physical abilities. Additionally, LNU tracks the enrollment of underrepresented groups each year to monitor diversity and address gaps in representation. 

The university also provides tailored services to support these students, enhancing their academic and personal development. By embracing this approach, LNU underscores its commitment to diversity, equity, and equal access to quality education.

Anti-Discrimination Policies

Leyte Normal University (LNU) implements a comprehensive anti-discrimination policy that ensures equitable treatment for all members of its community, as outlined in both the LNU Merit System for Personnel and the Student Admissions Manual. 

LNU’s policies strictly prohibit discrimination on grounds of age, gender, disability, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, civil status, or political affiliation, applying these standards consistently across student admissions, faculty recruitment, and staff appointments. 

Additionally, the university upholds national regulations supporting equal opportunities, ensuring that all individuals, especially those from marginalized groups, have access to education and employment opportunities. Such regulations are: 1987 Philippine Constitution, Anti-Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, Magna Carta of Women, and Safe Spaces Act. This approach reinforces LNU’s commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity in its institutional culture and operations.

University Diversity Officer

Leyte Normal University (LNU) demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus environment through its Gender and Development (GAD) Office. This office, mandated by the administration, is dedicated to advising and implementing policies, programs, and training that address issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and human rights.

The GAD Office, through the GAD director works actively to support a culture of inclusivity, providing resources and support for marginalized groups and promoting awareness about gender equality and human rights. It serves as a key component in LNU’s efforts to create a respectful and supportive academic environment for students, faculty, and staff alike. Through various initiatives, the GAD Office ensures that diversity and equality remain central to the university’s operations and values.

University Activities Spearheaded by the GAD Office

• 2023 National Women’s Month Celebration
• Aningal – Resonating Voices: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment
• 2024 National Women’s Month Celebration
• Purple Ribbon Pinning Ceremony
• Positive Masculinity and Women’s Empowerment
• Safe Spaces Act Forum (RA 11313)

For more details on LNU’s GAD Activities, visit their official Facebook Page

Support to Underrepresented Groups

Leyte Normal University (LNU) actively supports underrepresented groups by offering various programs focused on mentoring, counseling, and peer support. Through initiatives such as the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) under the UniFAST program, LNU provides financial aid to low-income students, including those with disabilities. The university facilitates access to TES funds with over-the-counter release events, making financial support readily available to eligible students.

Additionally, LNU has partnered with external organizations to offer scholarships, and conducts regular Mental Health Awareness campaigns to support the well-being of not just the students but the whole LNU community . LNU’s Needs and Problems of LNU Students Survey helps the university identify and address specific challenges faced by its students, ensuring targeted support for their academic and personal growth. Through these programs, LNU demonstrates its commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all members of its academic community.

Activities Supporting Underrepresented Groups

• Project LIFE
• LNU-GTO Services
• Wellness Fair
• Support for Mental Health Awareness
• Scholarships and Financial Assistance to Students with Disabilities and Special Needs
• UNIFAST Portal for TES Applications
• Over-the-Counter Release of TES-TDP Student Subsidy for August 2023
• Over-the-Counter Release of TES-TDP Student Subsidy for September 2023
• Educational Assistance Application
• Mega Job Fair 2023
• Mental Health Awareness Month 2023
• Needs Assessment Survey for LNU Students 

Accessible Facilities

Leyte Normal University (LNU) prioritizes accessibility across its campus, ensuring that individuals with disabilities can navigate facilities with ease. All major buildings, including the Administration Office, College Building, Cafeteria, and Conversion Building, are equipped with ramps designed to accommodate wheelchair users. Dedicated parking spaces for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are also provided, along with specialized amenities like a PWD-accessible powder room in HRDC Alba Hall, the university’s main theater.

These measures reflect LNU’s commitment to creating an inclusive campus environment, providing equal access to educational resources, services, and facilities for all members of its community.

• Facilities for PWDs

Disability Support Services

Leyte Normal University (LNU) provides comprehensive support services for students with disabilities, ensuring they receive the necessary resources for academic and personal success. The “We Hear, We See Too” program, for instance, is designed specifically to support deaf and mute students through academic assistance, welfare services, and initiatives focused on diversity and inclusion. This program promotes full integration of students with special needs, making LNU one of the few institutions in Eastern Visayas that admits and supports such students. 

The university also organizes events like orientation sessions and needs assessments to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement in student services. Additionally, support services include access to ramps and other accessible infrastructure across campus, making LNU a model of inclusivity and accessibility.

Programs and Events to Support People with Disability

• LNU Supports Inclusive Internship Program
• PROTECT Program (Peer Reaching Out To Empower Children and Youth of Tacloban)
• PROTECT Campaign for Mental Health Awareness
• “We Hear, We See Too”
• Technopreneurship: Turning Bright Idea into Succesful Business
• The Power of Innovation: Entrepreneurship and Global Solidarity for a
  Sustainable Future
• Inclusive Education
• Project LIFE
• Teachers’s Training Handling Students with Special Needs (Deaf and Mute)
• Technopreneurship: Turning Bright Idea into Successful Business
• TDP Applicants

Disability Access Schemes

Leyte Normal University (LNU) provides tailored access schemes to support students with disabilities, enhancing inclusivity and equal access to education. Key programs like “We Hear, We See Too” offer comprehensive support for deaf and mute students, integrating them into the academic community through academic assistance, welfare support, and inclusive engagement activities.

LNU’s Project LIFE (Living an Impactful and Fulfilling Existence) extends psychological and emotional support to students, including those with special needs, offering mental health services and stress management sessions to improve coping skills. Additionally, teachers undergo specialized training to handle students with disabilities, focusing on sign language and inclusive teaching strategies to facilitate effective communication and learning environments.

These initiatives demonstrate LNU’s commitment to providing accessible and supportive educational experiences for all students.

Disability Accommodation Policy

Leyte Normal University (LNU) is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to support students with disabilities, ensuring equitable access to education and campus resources. As outlined in the Admissions Manual, LNU’s admission policies are inclusive, welcoming students with disabilities and facilitating their integration into the academic community.

The university has invested in accessible infrastructure, including ramps at all main buildings, reserved parking spaces, and PWD-accessible facilities in key areas like the HRDC Alba Hall. These measures, alongside dedicated funding for accessible resources, demonstrate LNU’s proactive approach to inclusivity and support for all students.

Anti-Harassment Policies

Leyte Normal University (LNU) enforces a comprehensive anti-harassment policy that aligns with key national regulations to ensure a safe, respectful campus environment. This policy is based on the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (RA 7877), prohibiting harassment in educational and workplace settings, and the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313), which addresses gender-based harassment in various public and institutional spaces. LNU also adheres to the Labor Code of the Philippines, CSC Memorandum Circular No. 01, Series of 2017, and CHED Memorandum Order No. 1, Series of 2015, which provide guidance for creating harassment-free environments in government and educational institutions.

To further support these policies, LNU regularly hosts educational forums and seminars focused on awareness and prevention of harassment, reinforcing a culture of respect and safety across campus. These events provide valuable information on individual rights and the importance of safe spaces, reflecting LNU’s commitment to an inclusive and secure environment for all members of its community.

• LNU Merit System for Personnel (HRM-MRP)
• LNU Student Handbook
• Labor Code of the Philippines

Anti-Harassment Activities

• Aningal – Resonating Voices: Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment
• LNU Promotes Safe Workspaces with Forum on RA 11313
• JSWAP LNU Chapter holds VAW Seminar

Access Schemes for PWDs

Leyte Normal University (LNU) provides tailored access schemes to support students with disabilities, enhancing inclusivity and equal access to education. Key programs like “We Hear, We See Too” offer comprehensive support for deaf and mute students, integrating them into the academic community through academic assistance, welfare support, and inclusive engagement activities.

LNU’s Project LIFE (Living an Impactful and Fulfilling Existence) extends psychological and emotional support to students, including those with special needs, offering mental health services and stress management sessions to improve coping skills. Additionally, teachers undergo specialized training to handle students with disabilities, focusing on sign language and inclusive teaching strategies to facilitate effective communication and learning environments.

These initiatives demonstrate LNU’s commitment to providing accessible and supportive educational experiences for all students.

Accommodation Policy for PWDs

Leyte Normal University (LNU) is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to support students with disabilities, ensuring equitable access to education and campus resources. As outlined in the Admissions Manual, LNU’s admission policies are inclusive, welcoming students with disabilities and facilitating their integration into the academic community.

The university has invested in accessible infrastructure, including ramps at all main buildings, reserved parking spaces, and PWD-accessible facilities in key areas like the HRDC Alba Hall. These measures, alongside dedicated funding for accessible resources, demonstrate LNU’s proactive approach to inclusivity and support for all students.