By Aljon P. Tugaoen

Optimizing a forged partnership with a Chinese university, over 400 students of Mariano Marcos State University participated in an online language and culture class facilitated by Guangxi Medical College in China today, October 9.

MMSU nursing and mandarin students attended the one and a half-hour class which tackled Mandarin, the Chinese Spring Festival, their food (hot pot), and other interesting facts about China. Chinese teacher Hou Jia served as lecturer.

MMSU Language Center Chief Danica Hanna Pastor said the joint activity aimed to enhance the enthusiasm of MMSU teachers and students toward Chinese language learning. Prof. Ryan Dean T. Sugcang, officer in charge of the College of Health Sciences, added the class deepened the cooperation between the university and GMC.

Ms. Ye Junfang, GMC’s director of the party committee on international affairs, hoped “this collaborative project would further cultivate talents in MMSU.”

Present in the virtual program from GMC were Mr. Wang Xin, deputy secretary of the party committee; Ms. Zou Jing, director; and, Mr. Zhou Peng, deputy director. Representatives from Beijing Phihua International Education Technology Co. Ltd. also graced the event: Ms. Li Jiahong, product manager, and Ms. Qi Joy Mao Romualdo, director of foreign affairs. Ms. Romualdo served as the translator during the program.

The class is a product of a signed memorandum of understanding among MMSU, GMC and PHIHUA on September this year. The three institutions committed to develop cooperative relations in the fields of language, vocational education, and other academic exchange programs. The MMSU-CHS is currently working out educational exchanges with GMC in the field of traditional and complementary medicine. (JVBT/HLY, StratCom)