08/21/2026
PEOPLE, PLACES, AND EVENTS (PPE) FEATURE: WISE Immigration Helps Launch DLSZ's First-Ever SEED Canada Program with Mohawk College
A new milestone in global education has been made possible through the collaborative efforts of WISE Immigration, Four Seasons Immigration & Study Services, De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ), and Mohawk College, Canada. The launch of the SEED Canada Program marks DLSZ's first international STEM immersion program in Canada, expanding its successful SEED destinations beyond Asia following previous programs in Singapore and Japan.
Designed to provide students with meaningful learning experiences beyond the traditional classroom, the SEED Canada Program combines academic enrichment, cultural immersion, and real-world STEM applications. Through a carefully curated partnership between DLSZ and Mohawk College, students will gain hands-on exposure to emerging technologies, robotics, 3D printing, healthcare innovation, aviation, and industry-driven learning environments. Highlighting the unique nature of the program, Ms. Leah Marie Castillo, Associate Principal for Learning Standards at DLSZ, emphasized its immersive approach, saying, "In this case, their classroom is Canada." Her statement reflects the school's commitment to making learning globally relevant, meaningful, and transformative.
Supporting this landmark initiative are WISE Immigration and its Canadian counterpart, Four Seasons Immigration & Study Services, whose expertise in international student mobility helped make the program possible. During the press briefing, Leah Fe Balucan-Ybañez, Chief Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) of WISE Immigration, underscored the value of working with licensed immigration professionals to ensure that the purpose and educational objectives of student travel programs are accurately represented throughout the visa application process. Through this guidance, WISE Immigration helps provide students, parents, and partner institutions with confidence as they navigate international educational opportunities.
The Canadian learning experience has been thoughtfully developed in collaboration with Mohawk College, one of Canada's leading institutions for applied learning. According to Jelson Sales, Mohawk College Representative for Southeast Asia and Taiwan, students can look forward to a two-week immersive experience featuring access to advanced aviation facilities, healthcare technology laboratories, robotics and 3D printing hubs, and innovation-focused learning spaces. Beyond academics, participants will also experience Canadian campus life and explore key destinations, offering valuable insight into future study pathways and global career opportunities.
More than a STEM-focused study tour, the SEED Canada Program is designed to foster leadership, adaptability, collaboration, critical thinking, and global citizenship. It reflects DLSZ's mission of developing future-ready learners while demonstrating the power of meaningful partnerships among educational institutions and international mobility specialists. By connecting students with world-class learning environments, the initiative empowers them to apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges and become active contributors to their communities.
For Ybañez, one of the program's most meaningful objectives is giving students the opportunity to represent the Philippines on the global stage. In one of the event's most memorable messages, she encouraged participants to "Carry the Filipino pride," emphasizing how international educators continue to recognize the intelligence, excellence, and potential of Filipino learners. Her message encapsulates the vision behind the program: empowering young Filipinos to learn beyond borders, embrace global opportunities, and become world-ready leaders.
As the pioneering SEED Canada cohort prepares for its journey, the partnership among DLSZ, Mohawk College, WISE Immigration, and Four Seasons Immigration & Study Services stands as a testament to what can be achieved when education and international mobility partners work together to create transformative opportunities for the next generation.
"Conquer Canada. Carry the Lasallian Spirit. Carry the Filipino Pride. Be World-Ready."
