By Crisdeniele Clemente

A new set of physical therapy students from Seirei Christopher University (SCU) in Japan are undergoing clinical observation at the Mariano Marcos State University.

The five students, along with Prof. Daiki Takahashi and Prof. Hiroki Yabe from the SCU Department of Physical Therapy, were welcomed by MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis  on February 19, through a courtesy call held at the MMSU FEM building. Prof. Myra Lampitoc, chair of the department of physical therapy, and Prof. Mary Audrey Viloria, head of the University Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center, accompanied them.

Dr. Agrupis said that MMSU is delighted to welcome the Japanese visitors and ensured that the university will offer a valuable learning opportunity for international students.

During their two-week stay, the students will be assigned to the University Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center, Black Nazarene Hospital Institute, and the Laoag Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy Center. They will be immersed with community-based rehabilitation clinics in the Municipality of San Nicolas for general cases, Florentino Camaquin Integrated School in Vintar for pediatric cases, and Balay Taripato in Ilocos Sur for geriatric cases.

Aside from their clinical observation, the PT students will conduct cultural exchange sessions and English Language lectures with students and faculty from the university.

In February last year, the first batch of physical therapy students of SCU underwent clinical observation. Prior to this, a memorandum of understanding was signed in 2021 between MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis and SCU President Shohei Ohgi. Through this partnership, both institutions continue to improve the health sciences programs by facilitating the exchange of faculty and scholars, sharing academic information and materials, and collaborating on periodic academic publications. (MKA_StratCom)