By Stephanie Camille Ilar

Two physical therapy students, Laela Putri and Shavana Intana Fernando, from Binawan University in Indonesia, started their two-week clinical observation at MMSU today, July 21, 2025. 

During their stay until August 2, the students will participate in various activities, such as a university tour around the Batac campus and cultural exchanges with clinical and non-clinical interns at the MMSU-University Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center (UPTRC). 

They will also visit the rehabilitation center in Vintar, Ilocos Norte, to learn about pediatric physical therapy, and Balay Taripato in Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, for a geriatric physical therapy clinical observation, where they will join activities in celebration of National Disability Rights Week. The Indonesian students will also visit the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center for a neurologic physical therapy observation. 

On their first day, the Indonesian students paid a courtesy call to MMSU Vice President for Academic Affairs Aris Reynold Cajigal. They were accompanied by Prof. Noraeni Arsyad, Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy at Binawan University. 

The students will be supervised by the College of Health Sciences, led by Dr. Cheryll Didi Nellie Obra, the college dean; Ms. Mary Audrey Viloria, UPTRC chief; and Prof. Gerald Lester Caoili, Department of Physical Therapy chair. 

This Student and Cultural Exchange Program is part of the memorandum of agreement signed in September 2024 by then-OIC President Prima Fe R. Franco with Binawan University to promote student and faculty exchanges and to enhance the university’s commitment to producing globally competitive medical practitioners.