by Chessa Pae Faustino, StratCom Correspondent

Fostering the exchange of academic and sociocultural pursuits, officials of the Mariano Marcos State University visited Seirei Christopher University (SCU) in Shizuoka, Japan on July 19, 2023 to discuss International Baccalaureate (IB) programs.

The visit included a meet and greet session between MMSU and SCU, and a presentation on International Baccalaureate programs, in view of possible plans to establish program offerings and exchanges, particularly along the health sciences and other potential fields.  

The MMSU delegation is headed by Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, together with Dr. Mee Jay Domingo, director for internationalization, linkages, and partnerships; and Dr. Marlowe U. Aquino, director for planning. 

Also part of the delegation are Dr. Aris Reynold Cajigal, the dean of the College of Teacher Education; Prof. Philistia Mercuria Bagayas, principal of the University Laboratory Schools; Dr. Romelyn Lagura from the Elementary Education Department and Dr. Rhian Jay Ramil from the Department of Pharmacy. 

The SCU team was led by their president, Prof. Shohei Ohgi. The deans of the schools of nursing, rehabilitation sciences, and social work were present, as well as the chairperson for the Department of Physical Therapy, dean/principal of the Seirei Elementary School, and the director for international education and scholar services.

Part of the visit was a tour of the Seirei Christopher Elementary School and Christopher Kodomoen, the kindergarten under SCU. Ms. Maricel Duldulao, a teacher in Seirei Christopher Elementary School who is also an alumna of MMSU, also facilitated the tour.

Since the establishment of the MMSU-SCU partnership in 2021,  the two universities have engaged in collaborative activities, including a visit of the SCU faculty and students through the Special English Language Program, clinical externship of SCU students on physical therapy and rehabilitation medicine, and a partnership meeting with Dr. Ohgi in MMSU in February this year. (HLY, StratCom)