By DANIEL P. TAPAOAN, JR.

The Balik-Alumni Program of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) has transitioned into an online platform in response to the restricted mass gatherings due to the pandemic crisis situation.

Last August 4, the Alumni Relations Office (ARO), in partnership with the Department of Biological Sciences of the College of Arts and Sciences, conducted a free Zoom webinar for the students and faculty members of BS Biology and Doctor of Medicine programs.

Dr. Bernard Benjamin P. Albano, consultant at the Interventional Cardiology and Critical Care in the Philippine Heart Center, The Medical City and Asian Hospital, served as the resource speaker in the online session.

His lecture revolved around the topic, “Changing the Landscape of Heart Attack Management: From Medical Treatment to Invasive Strategies in the Local Setting.” 

Albano was magna cum laude graduate of MMSU, BS Biology Class of 2004. 

The Balik-Alumni program aims to entice alumni to return to the University to offer their expertise and other resources to the students and faculty in the form of lectures, consultations, and partnerships. 

Since its initial run in 2016, the Balik-Alumni Program has staged annual events that served as an avenue for learning and inspiration to the academic community.

Prof. Ryan Dean T. Sucgang, ARO chief, said that by shifting from warm-body interactions to the digital platform, “we were able to respond to the challenges on limited university operations and academic-related programs.” 

“Despite the pandemic crisis, we continue to reach out to the University alumni and fulfil the promise of a “never-ending love,” Sucgang said. 

According to him, results of the MMSU Graduate Tracer Survey showed that many of the MMSU alumni are employed in prestigious companies, institutions, and other agencies. (StratCom)