By Adrianne Lorenzo Corpuz, StratCom Correspondent 

Twelve students from the Ashikaga University in Tochigi, Japan are taking up the 10-day Special English Language Program at the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) starting today, February 28. 

These students, along with professor Tsutomu Dei of the AU engineering department, were welcomed by MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis, Dr. Mee Jay Domingo, director for internationalization, linkages and partnerships, and Prof. Danica Hannah Pastor, language center chief, before proceeding to the Center for Flexible Learning for their orientation this morning. 

Of these AU students, eight are taking up nursing degree: Yumeko Kageyawa, Akari Toyoda, Ayano Kamura, Ai Konogata, Nozomi Suzuki, Hinata Yaegashi, Ayane Shibata, and Yuyu Nakata. Other four are pursuing engineering degree: Kazuhiko Tozawa, Hiroto Arisumi, Kei Narita, and Aoi Hoshi. 

Prof. Pastor said the special short course for the Japanese students is about sequenced progression of grammar-based conversational activities. They will be mentored by Prof. Pastor, Prof. Bryan Realgo, and Prof. Richmond Rivera of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Prof. Abril Dacanay and Dr. Louie Villanueva from the College of Teacher Education. The program will run until March 10. 

Aside from undergoing lecture sessions and small group discussions, the Japanese students will also be engaged in cultural immersion by visiting famous tourist attractions in the province. 

MMSU President Agrupis assured the program “will not only improve language proficiency of the students, but will also increase their understanding and appreciation on the Ilocano culture.”

For his part, Prof. Dei thanked the university for accommodating their students, and he expressed excitement on the learning program of MMSU. 

The Language Center based at MMSU-CAS takes charge of providing the non-credit, non-degree language needs of the University and its external clientele. It focuses on the conduct of practical language education, training, and lectures in English and other second or foreign languages. 

MMSU and AU forged ties in 2018 to enhance their research and academic initiatives and to train engineering and nursing students that may lead them become more competitive after graduation. 

Earlier, five physical therapy students of the Seirei Christopher University in Japan are having their clinical internship at MMSU College of Health Sciences until March 3. (HLY/DPT, StratCom)