Dr. Debra Anne A. Nakama, professor and articulation coordinator of the University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC), is currently at MMSU as visiting professor at the Graduate School. This is in line with the Memorandum of Understanding forged between the two institutions and signed by President Miriam E. Pascua and Chancellor Clyde M. Sakamoto on March 26, 2010 at the Teatro Ilocandia. Dr. Sakamoto was guest of honor and speaker during the 32nd University Commencement Exercises in that year.

Dr. Nakama will lecture to graduate students on three weekends. She will, likewise, deliver one lecture to the faculty and senior students of the College of Teacher Education during her stint on March 7-29.

She is also expected to finalize with university officials the courses of action along faculty and student exchanges in the fields of Ilocano studies, tourism and hospitality management, information technology, engineering, and the sciences. Already, five faculty members in these fields had been invited by Chancellor Sakamoto for classroom and field experiences at UHMC and the island of Maui in April.

Dr. Nakama, together with other officials of UHMC and leaders of the Filipino Council of Maui, first visited MMSU in 2009. The group met with the Administrative Council for exploratory discussions on possible linkages.

Prior to that event, President Pascua and Dr. Alegria T. Visaya, the university and Board of Regents secretary, went to UHMC on separate occasions. President Pascua and Chancellor Sakamoto forged the initial relationship by signing the Memorandum of Intent in the former’s visit. This, together with Dr. Visayas’ earlier visit to UHMC and eventual meeting with Chancellor Sakamoto and Dr. Nakama, were arranged by Judge Artemio C. Baxa, then member of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii System, and was facilitated by Atty. Herman Andaya, then executive assistant to the Chancellor.