MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNews/03 February) – Bukidnon State University has established links with an Indonesian state university and an international school based in the City of Manado in Sulawesi Island, Dante Victoria, university secretary told MindaNews Friday.
Victoria said BSU had signed a memorandum of understanding with Unima or Universitas Negeri Manado (Manado State University) in September 2011 to “enable cooperation between the two universities for all academic area of mutual interests.”
He said the cooperation was formalized on September 20 when BSU president Victor Barroso visited Manado to sign the MOU with Unima officials.
The cooperation, he added, covers exchange of expertise, faculty and even students, human resource development and capability building.
Victoria said it may include sports and cultural exchanges, although the details are yet to be ironed out.
Unima, built in 1955, specializes in education related courses like BSU.
Victoria said BSU may be able to help Unima in the fields of English proficiency and information and communication technology.
He cited the possibility of BSU resource persons handling short-term courses on teaching English Language in Unima, based on the outcome of a visit by BSU deans in October 2011.
BSU, on the other hand, may benefit from Unima’s capability to teach Bahasa for its hotel and restaurant management program.
At present, HRM students are being taught the Japanese language.
Victoria said BSU is expecting a return visit by Unima officials in March 2012 for the next steps.
This week BSU received Billy Kumolontong and Dr. Daniel Kambey, owner and chair of the board, respectively, of the Manado International School.
Victoria said BSU and MIS will also sign a memorandum of understanding for separate collaboration efforts.
He said MIS would like to work with BSU on human resource development, although the former is also looking for education graduates from BSU who can teach in Manado.
The MOU will cover exchange of teachers and students, sharing of teaching technologies, resource persons in teacher and student
enhancement programs, and training and development of teaching staff.
Victoria said Kumolontong vowed to promote BSU among its graduates and teachers who may want to study abroad for graduate and post graduate degrees.
He said the MIS officials were impressed by the performance of Filipino teachers, including one from Cabanglasan town, who work in
their school.
Victoria cited that a former BSU professor, Ricarte Abejuela III, who is now vice consul of the Philippine consulate office in Manado was instrumental in initiating BSU’s cooperation with the two institutions.
He said the linkages with these schools are expected to bring more opportunities for BSU especially since Manado is a tourist
destination. (Walter I. Balane/MindaNews)
