MMSU welcomes Chinese Consul Li Xiaoyan
By Jareason Fabre
Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) welcomes the newly installed Consul & Head of Post Li Xiaoyan of the Consulate of the People’s Republic of China in Laoag on her first visit to the university on January 9 at FEM Hall.
During the said visit, the consul officially handed two 75-inch smart display boards to MMSU. The donation was formally received by MMSU President Dr. Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr., alongside Vice President for Planning and Strategic Foresight Mee Jay Domingo, College of Teacher Education Dean Ronald Candy Lasaten, ULS Director Maria Cristeta Llacuna and International Mobility Chief Quincy Savellano.
One smart display is now installed at the Center for Teaching Excellence on the MMSU Laoag Campus, and the other at FEM Hall, where they are being used for instructional purposes, advanced presentations, and online meetings.
The donation was initiated in late 2025 through former Consul and Head of Post Ren Faqiang, who was instrumental in earlier phases of the partnership. “We are proud to see these projects take root and continue to benefit students and faculty alike,” Consul Ren said during previous visits.
MMSU President Manzano presented a special issue of the MMSU Herald, the university’s official newsletter, summarizing the milestones of the partnership and engagements between MMSU and the Chinese Consulate. “This donation reflects the strong friendship between our institutions,” President Manzano said. “We are grateful to the Consulate for supporting our programs that enhance learning, teaching, and cross-cultural understanding.”
Meanwhile, Consul Li acknowledged the importance of the partnership especially in advancing educational collaboration and cultural exchange, aiming to inspire students to explore and deepen their knowledge of Chinese language and culture.
The Consul also toured the MMSU Chinese Corner at the university library and the Chinese Learning Center, both initiatives funded and supported by the Chinese Consulate to promote Mandarin language learning and cultural exchange. The Chinese Corner was first unveiled in 2020, while the Chinese Learning Center was launched earlier to broaden access to Chinese culture and language resources for students and faculty.
Also present at the Chinese Corner are Mandarin teachers from the College of Teacher Education, College of Arts and Sciences, and the Graduate School, along with students enrolled in Mandarin as a Foreign Language courses. These include students from the English language and tourism programs, as well as Chinese graduate students.
The visit of the new consul underscores the continued friendship and collaboration between MMSU and the Consulate. Both parties emphasized that the ongoing programs reflect strong bilateral ties and a shared commitment to expanding opportunities for students and educators from both countries.
Jan, 09, 2026 04:23:pm
Written By:
STRATCOM
