By Aljon P. Tugaoen

More collaborative engagements between Mariano Marcos State University and Beijing Phihua International Education Technology, Co. Ltd. are underway after officials of both institutions met on November 23.

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis and Phihua President Mei Yakun agreed to expand academic and research partnership. Yakun vowed to help MMSU advance its health sciences and medicine programs, to push for the establishment of a Chinese Vocational Center in the university, and to usher MMSU officials for benchmarking activities in China. He also plans to improve the MMSU Chinese corner.

Moreover, the two institutions tackled the potential offering of micro-credential programs on Chinese acupuncture, smart agriculture, e-commerce, and civil engineering through shadowing program, where learners are guided in real time work exposure. PSCA and College of Health Sciences - OIC dean Ryan Dean Sucgang also offered shadowing program in health sciences to Phihua.

Present during the meeting were international linkages and partnership director Mee Jay Domingo, language center chief Danica Hanna Pastor, and nursing department chair Judith Valenzuela.

Joining the PHIHUA president were Qi Joy Mao Romualdo, director of foreign affairs, and executive secretaries Reah Rica Ola, Maricel Potot, and Abigaile Bautista.

MMSU and Phihua virtually signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on September 5, along with Guangxi Medical College (GMC). (JVBT/HYL, StratCom)