In a landmark event, Sorsogon State University – Bulan Campus held a meeting with the officials of Kien Giang University (KGU), a government-funded university in Vietnam, on June 26, 2023 via Zoom Video Conferencing, to finalize a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will pave the way for an enriching international academic cooperation between the two universities.
The meeting marked a significant step towards fostering global ties and expanding educational opportunities for students and faculty. Representatives from Sorsogon State University – Bulan Campus, headed by Prof. Ma. Elena C. Demdam, campus director, and Prof. Corazon G. Bongalosa, International Relations Office (IRO) coordinator attended the meeting. Also present were Engr. Rey C. Rodrigueza, Dean of the College of Information & Communications Technology (CICT), and Dr. Vivien L. Chua, IRO Director. They engaged in meaningful discussions with the officials of Kien Giang University; namely, Dr. Cang Nguyễn Trung, Vice-President of KGU; Mr. Nguyễn Văn Thống, Deputy Dean of Foreign Language Department; Mr. Mạnh Tiền of the Department of Science & Technology, and Cooperation; and Dr. Lê Hoàng Phượng, Deputy Director of Center for Experimental Practice Management. They discussed the final conditions of the MoU, and agreed on the date and venue of the ceremonial signing. In addition, as an initial project under the partnership, a faculty exchange program will commence in August for the first semester of Academic Year 2023-2024.
As the signing of the MoU is scheduled to take place in the coming months, preparations for implementing collaborative projects are already underway. The universities agreed to collaborate on faculty and student exchange, joint research initiatives, joint capability-building projects, and other programs that will foster a vibrant academic community and will address the needs of the communities that they serve.
This partnership not only opens up new avenues for educational growth but also strengthens the cultural ties between the Philippines and Vietnam. The students and faculty members who will be involved in this collaboration will have the opportunity to build lasting friendships and foster intercultural understanding. By bridging distances and embracing collaboration beyond borders, the two universities exemplify the transformative power of education in shaping a brighter future for all. (SorSU-Bulan Campus)
