By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

Continuously expanding its international linkages in China, Mariano Marcos State University has tied up with the Center of International Education of Guangzhou Xinhua University (GXU) to promote educational and research exchanges.

The two universities affirmed their commitment in a memorandum of understanding signed by MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis and GXU-CIE Director Li Yi yesterday, August 30, at the Song Bai Hall in Guiyang City, China. This signing of the newly forged agreement was witnessed by CHED Chairperson J. Prospero E. de Vera III and CHED International Affairs Service Director Lily Freida Milla, Consul General Flerida Anne Camille Mayo, and other higher education leaders.

In the next five years, MMSU and the GXU are expected to develop and offer transnational education and micro-credential courses in health sciences, computer science and information technology, business, accountancy, and engineering. 

The two universities shall also co-create language and humanities programs in English and Mandarin, which combine academic and cultural immersion, and can be implemented in hybrid mode. 

Moreover, MMSU and GXU agreed to carry out scientific research, and conduct faculty, scholars, and students exchange programs. They also committed to organize joint research and development programs, academic meetings, and extension activities; promote sustainable development goals; and share academic materials and publications.

“We are excited to move forward with this collaboration and take advantage of the wide array of possibilities to share knowledge, best practices, and culture,” said Dr. Agrupis. 

For his part, Director Li expressed gratitude for the newly-established tie-up with MMSU, and hopes the partnership will pave the way for deeper engagements in the future.

Formerly known as Xinhua College of Sun Yat-Sen University, GXU was established in 2005. It has embraced foreign education cooperation and introduced high-quality education resources from overseas.

MMSU is one of the 14 Philippine higher education institutions that joined in the signing ceremonies with Chinese HEIs. It coincided with the Philippine-China University President Cooperation Dialogue and Networking Session co-organized by the Commission on Higher Education and Guizhou Provincial Department of Education.

The event is part of the China-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Education Cooperation Week which runs until September 2. The Philippine delegation to the CAECW is led by CHED Chair De Vera III and Director Milla.

CAECW has been held for 15 years in Guizhou Province since 2008. It aims to promote educational cooperation and people-to-people exchange between China and ASEAN countries, and contributes to the Belt and Road Cooperation.

Its 16th anniversary is themed “New vision for education cooperation, common prosperity for Belt and Road.” It is being attended by education ministries, university presidents and school heads, international organization heads, experts and scholars, diplomatic envoys and young people from China and ASEAN countries.

Earlier this year, MMSU forged ties with Dezhou University and Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences in China to promote educational and cultural exchanges. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)