By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr.

The international network of the Mariano Marcos University continues to expand as it gains the trust and confidence of more foreign partners. On September 5, MMSU forged partnerships with two reputable institutions in China: the Beijing Phihua International Education Technology Co. Ltd. (PHIHUA) and Guangxi Medical College (GMC). MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis, PHIHUA President Mei Yakun, and GMC President Yang Xiaobo virtually inked the deal. 

MMSU and PHIHUA agreed to establish the Chinese + Vocational Education Center at MMSU. This will serve as an avenue to develop cooperative relations in the fields of language, vocational education, and other academic exchange programs between China and the Philippines.  

The conduct of educational exchanges in the field of traditional and complementary medicine is in the pipeline as the MMSU-GMC partnership unfolds. This will be done through sharing of faculty expertise or visiting lecturers, student exchange, access to library resources, faculty research or discussion, and benchmarking. 

PSCA welcomed the new partnerships, saying “this will once again enable us to learn from our neighbors in the region and for us to share our culture and knowledge with them.” MMSU, Dr. Agrupis assured, is ready to do its part in realizing the goals and aspirations of the MOUs. “We look forward to working with you as we realize transnational education here in the university,” she enthused.

PHIHUA President Yakun thanked MMSU and the Commission on Higher Education for their contributions to China’s higher education cooperation through the new agreement. He also hopes that through the partnership, PHIHUA will help establish traditional Chinese medicine centers and training centers in the Philippines, and jointly build a standardized curriculum system of Chinese medicine.

“We attach great importance to this strategic cooperation and are willing to take the opportunity to enhance friendship and mutual trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and play a common role in promoting the development of China-Philippines medical and health services,” expressed GMC President Xiaobo. 

Atty. Lily Freida Milla, director of CHED's International Affairs Staff, Consul Sun Wedong, acting head consul of the Consulate of People’s Republic of China, and Ms. Joy Qi, PHIHUA representative, expressed support for the partnerships. 

“This shows your commitment to internationalization in Philippine higher education and to the broadening of friendship between the two countries despite these difficult times,” remarked Atty. Freida. 

Dr. Mee Jay Domingo, university’s director for internationalization, linkages and partnerships, said MMSU’s tie up with the Chinese institutions is a big push for MMSU as it etches a name for itself in the international higher education arena. 

The MOU signing was witnessed by the PHIHUA, GMC and MMSU officials, and representatives from Huawei Philippines and the Consulate of the People’s Republic of China in Laoag City. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)