By Kathrina Antonio

Dr. James Patrick Ku Peralta, MMSU College of Medicine (COM) Associate Dean, was selected as a Commission on Higher Education (CHED) scholar to attend an international training program at the Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health in Setia Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, from December 2 to 6.

The program, titled “Clinical and Laboratory Diagnosis of Emerging Fungal Infections,” was organized under the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization – Tropical Medicine and Public Health Network (SEAMEO TROPMED Network), an organization renowned for advancing tropical medicine education and public health across Southeast Asia.

Dr. Peralta expressed his gratitude and emphasized the value of the training: “The emerging fungal infections discussed in this workshop widened my knowledge in the field of mycology. This is a crucial area, not only in hospital settings but also in the research field in our country,” he shared.

As one of the scholars chosen under CHED’s Higher Education Upskilling and Study for Advancement of Staff and Faculty (HUSAY) Program, Dr. Peralta’s participation shows CHED’s support for improving the skills of higher education professionals. The scholarship covered the program fees, accommodation, meals, and transportation, providing strong support for faculty development and international collaboration.

“This CHED scholarship opens the gates for more research and clinical diagnostics in mycology. Moreover, it enabled collaboration among multiple higher education institutions, SEAMEO TROPMED, and even the World Health Organization,” he said.

The training aimed to equip participants with advanced clinical and laboratory techniques for diagnosing and managing emerging fungal infections—a growing concern in both hospital and research settings globally. The event also fostered opportunities for collaboration among Southeast Asian nations to combat public health challenges.

Dr. Peralta’s achievement not only enhances the capacity of MMSU but also contributes to strengthening research and clinical diagnostics in the Philippines, a critical step in addressing emerging fungal diseases.

The SEAMEO TROPMED Network is a specialized initiative under the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). Its mission focuses on education, research, and capacity-building programs in tropical medicine and public health to address health priorities across the region.