By DANIEL P. TAPAOAN, JR.

The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and the Consulate of the People’s Republic of China in Laoag City unveiled on September 3 the Chinese Corner (CC) located at the first floor of the University Main Library, City of Batac, Ilocos Norte. 

The CC contains various book titles, a television set, DVD player, teaching materials, and photo exhibits to be used by university faculty and students. 

The unveiling ceremony was led by Consul and Head of Post Zhou Youbin and MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis, together with Atty. Saul Lazo, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member and head of the education sector of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), and some university officials. 

To signify the close ties between the consulate and the university, Dr. Agrupis and Consul Zhou signed a memorandum of agreement for the maintenance of the corner. 

Dr. Agrupis thanked the consulate for its relentless support to MMSU especially in the time of pandemic, saying that the university continues to share its resources and pursue stronger collaboration with the embassy.

“With the Chinese Corner in MMSU, there will be no more boundaries in knowing more about China in terms of culture, education, and technologies,” she said. 

She further stressed that the opening of the CC is in consonance with the offering of Mandarin courses in the university, as well as the subjects of the BS in Tourism program. 

For his part, Zhou said the CC is a good resource for MMSU students and faculty to learn Chinese language, thereby bridging the gap between its people in understanding and appreciating each other. 

The Chinese diplomat assured that the consulate will always support Ilocos Norte and MMSU to promote cultural and educational exchanges. 

Dr. Agrupis said that MMSU is expanding its partnerships with some schools in China.

“Through the Chinese Consulate in Laoag, the university has already started communicating with the universities in China, like the Shandong Normal University, Minnan Normal University, and Fujian Normal University,” she said. 

Previously, the Chinese Consulate in Laoag donated thousands of face masks and sets of personal protective equipment (PPEs) to MMSU to help the latter cope with the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. (StratCom)