Cebu Normal University (CNU) and the Naresuan University of Phitsanulok, northern Thailand sealed an agreement to undertake collaborative efforts for the development of their nursing and education programs.
CNU president Marcelo Lopez told Cebu Daily News that the Memorandum of Understanding coverage is broad, providing them with a lot of opportunities to mutually grow and develop.
“This would forge special collaborative relationship between the two universities in the academic area like research, faculty exchange, student exchange, maybe pursuing common international programs like graduate programs in nursing,” Lopez said.
Naresuan University Director Suhjn Jinayon told CDN that this partnership is only the start of their relationship with schools in Cebu and other institutions in the country.
“We will start first with CNU then proceed to other institutions like University of the Philippines. This would allow partner universities to develop and benefit in the exchange of culture and learning,” said Jinayon.
Lopez said that by next month both universities will start faculty exchange, to be followed by student exchange.
“They have heard of our College of Nursing doing well as Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) declared it as a Center for Excellence in Nursing and they have acknowledged our excellent level of proficiency in the English language,” Lopez added.
He said that there should be a formal way of allowing foreign students to learn and improve English proficiency and not through a tutorial basis. Lopez believes that with more international students in a school, the degree programs would greatly improve.
“Primarily, we are known for the degree in education. That would be a window for their faculty to study with us and earn a master degree,” he said.
Jinayon added that the students and faculty will have a lot of opportunities to develop research and international relations and, in the process, promote economic and social development.
The agreement is also viewed in consonance with the integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) which is set to be implemented next year.
CHED has been encouraging Philippine universities to to forge partnerships with Asean member-nation universities.
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