By DANIEL P. TAPAOAN, JR.

The Consulate of People’s Republic of China in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte donated 11 boxes of face masks to the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) on Friday (August 7) to be used by the university in coping with the adverse effects of COVID-19 pandemic.

The boxes contain 20,000 surgical masks and 1,500 KN95 face masks.

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis received the donation from Chinese Head of Post and Consul Zhou Youbin in a simple ceremony conducted at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Hall this morning. 

Youbin said the face masks serve as an added protective equipment of the students, faculty, and personnel of the university, adding that such donation is one way of thanking the university for always sustaining good relations with the Consulate in the province. 

“That is why I always keep in mind on how to continue this healthy collaboration with MMSU, especially in this time of pandemic,” he said.

Dr. Agrupis thanked the Chinese diplomats for their generosity to the people of Ilocos Norte in general, and to the employees of MMSU in particular, and she promised to explore other areas of collaboration between the university and the Chinese embassy.

“Since we offer English Language course in MMSU, we will highly appreciate it if you can help us connect with Chinese universities who are willing to learn English online,” she said, adding that the university is also looking for faculty members who can teach Mandarin to its students.  

Prior to this, the Chinese Consulate gave 1,000 pieces of surgical face masks, and 20 pieces of goggles and 80 sets of coverall suits to the university last April and July, respectively. 

MMSU and the Chinese Consulate in Laoag started their collaborative partnership years ago, which opened for academic opportunities of its faculty to the University in China. 

Also, MMSU has started to participate in various events of the Chinese Consulate as a showcase of camaraderie and friendship with the neighboring country. (StratCom)