Malaysian envoy visits MMSU
By Wimbledon Bosque
His Excellency Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines, made his first official visit to Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) on November 20, for a courtesy meeting with University President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano Jr.
The visit followed his earlier engagement with the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte, where he discussed initiatives to reinforce bilateral cooperation and discuss potential areas of partnership with the Malaysian Embassy.
Dr. Manzano, together with Internationalization, Linkages, and Partnership (ILP) Director Jeanette Dials and other ILP officials, welcomed Ambassador Castelino, Minister Counsellor Muhammad Iqbal Ismail, and Counsellor Nur Farahliza Putri Naaim Yazid.
During the meeting, Ambassador Castelino commended MMSU’s expanding international engagements, particularly its collaborations with Asian institutions such as the University of Malaya (UM), evident in the university’s recent participation in the ASEAN University Network–Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) International Conference 2025 at UM.
Ambassador Castelino expressed optimism about strengthening bilateral academic cooperation, noting considerable potential to strengthen institutional partnerships, broaden initiatives, and create more opportunities for students from both countries to learn from one another. “This University holds significant promise for learners because of the overall quality of services and proactive education system it provides,” he enthused.
Dr. Manzano highlighted MMSU’s continuing push for internationalization. “The University is still expanding and wants to partner with as many institutions as it can within ASEAN,” he said, reaffirming MMSU’s vision to develop virtuous, future-ready graduates who will benefit from future international programs. He added that MMSU is eager to collaborate with Malaysian universities through initiatives such as global classrooms and mirror teaching.
Prof. Dials added that MMSU actively collaborates with Malaysia’s academic institutions to further strengthen regional academic networks, enhance knowledge exchange, and provide students with innovative learning experiences. She also proposed faculty exchange programs to reinforce MMSU’s academic networks across Asia.
Both parties expressed commitment to reciprocal and mutually beneficial exchanges that promote shared growth, academic mobility, and sustainable cooperation. The meeting laid the groundwork for future joint initiatives, faculty exchanges, and programs for educators and students to thrive in an increasingly interconnected ASEAN educational landscape.
Nov, 21, 2025 02:36:pm
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