By Crisdeniele Clemente

Officials of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) visited Guangxi Health Science College (GHSC) in Nanning, Guangxi Province, China, from June 3 to 7 to foster educational collaboration through the China-Philippine Institute of Modern Craftsmanship in Household Service.

Led by Dr. Policarpio Joves, dean of the College of Medicine (COM), the visit aimed to develop a comprehensive curriculum tailored to the needs of both Chinese and Filipino students, such as household, clinical, and tourism service industries.

The proposed household services curriculum will encompass three main components: Maternal and Child Care, Elderly Care, and Household and Tourism Services. These will be structured within a ladderized academic program, ensuring that students have the flexibility to choose their learning paths based on their individual needs and interests. The care and service locations will include healthcare facilities such as hospitals and clinics, home care facilities, households, and tourism services.

To ensure proper planning and implementation, the College of Industrial Technology will manage crafting the Household and Tourism Service component. Meanwhile, the College of Health Sciences will focus on the Maternal, Child, and Elderly Care segments. Additionally, COM will enrich the curriculum by incorporating supportive and palliative care services. Exposure to traditional and complementary Chinese medicine for MMSU faculty and students shall likewise be explored.

According to Dr. Joves, the collaboration between MMSU and GHSC represents a cross-cultural approach to education. “This exchange of knowledge, culture, and expertise is needed to enrich the educational experience and professional readiness of students and faculty from both nations,” he said.

Dr. Robert Salvador, chief of the MMSU Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program; Dr. Mark Limon, chair of the MMSU Technical-Vocational and Livelihood Education Department; Dr. Judith Valenzuela, faculty member of the Department of Nursing; and Mr. Christian Jay Subaste, occupational safety and health officer of the health and wellness office were also present during the visit.