In active pursuit of the university’s internationalization goals of higher education and as a true testament of Sorsogon State University’s (SorSU) commitment towards borderless education, the Student Teaching Internship of the College of Teacher Education (CoTEd) has now been internationalized as ten (10) Bachelor of Secondary Education – Major in English (BSEd-English) student-teachers are currently in their two-week practice teaching at An Giang University (AGU, VNU-HCM), Vietnam from April 8 to 19, 2024.
As part of the academic collaboration stipulated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by the presidents of SorSU and AGU, SUC President III, Dr. Geraldine F. De Jesus, and Assoc. Prof. Vo Van Thang, respectively, this undertaking is SorSU’s first-ever internship outside the country. This is made possible through the efforts of SorSU International Relations Office Director Dr. Vivien L. Chua and AGU External Relations Office Head Dr. Nguyen Huu Tri, ensuring that the universities’ programs are at par with the global academic ranking.
With the universities’ shared undertakings, the partnership covers student and/or academic and administrative exchanges, development of joint degree and double degree programs, visiting professors and lecturers, exchange of academic information and publications and library resource materials information, joint research collaborations, support of student scholarships, internship, and field study; and other partnership areas agreed upon by both parties.
First opened as a Teacher Training College, An Giang University is now one of the major educational and research institutions in the Mekong Delta Region of Vietnam. Meanwhile, Sorsogon State University is one of the best performing schools nationwide after it copped the Top 3 Best Performing School accolade during the September 2023 Licensure Examination for Teachers.
Accompanied by Dr. Alfonso L. Garcia Jr. (Dean, CoTEdM) and Prof. Anabell A. Manga (Student Teaching Internship Coordinator and BSEd Program Chair), the delegates in the said international student teaching internship are: Wilma G. Buizon, Kim G. Delos Santos, Gabrielle Mae Godoy, Annabella L. Hebres, Axl Rose L. Herrera, Evangeline B. Jalmasco, Katherine D. Jardiolin, Nikko Ladisla, Gilwin B. Melitante, and Jonna Mae F. Reblora.
The two-week internship of student-teachers includes observation of classes, mentoring of cooperating teachers from Pedagogical Practice School (PPS), demonstration teaching, participation in the activities of the English-Speaking Club and Faculty of Foreign Languages, and a field trip to the floating market and Uncle Tom’s Temple. Meanwhile, the faculty delegates Dr. Garcia and Prof. Manga will deliver lectures on SorSU’s best practices in education and language education trends and practices in the Philippines, respectively.
During the welcome program held on April 8, 2024, Assoc. Prof. Ho Thanh Bin (Vice President, AGU) who represented the AGU President Assoc. Prof. Vo Van Thang expressed his warm welcome to the SorSU delegation and wished for the best learning experiences they can provide for student-teachers. Dr. Garcia (Dean, CoTEdM), on behalf of SorSU, extended his heartfelt appreciation to AGU administrators, faculty, and staff. The program was followed by a meeting to discuss the plan and schedule of activities as well as clarifications on the conduct of the internship.
In attendance during the program and meeting were: the SorSU delegation, Assoc. Prof Ho Than Binh (Vice President, AGU), Dr. Nguyen Huu Tri (Head, External Relations Office), Dr. Phan Thi Thanh Huyen (Vice Dean, Faculty of Foreign Languages), Dr. Bui Le Diem Trang (Head, ELTM Department Faculty of Foreign Languages), Ms. Nguyen Thi Anh Nguyet (Lecturer, Faculty of Foreign Languages), Ms Tran Thi Thuy Vi (Head, English Department Pedagogical Practice School), Ms. La Thi Kim Bach (Officer, Center for Teachers Education and Pedagogical Skills Development), External Relations Office staff, and the teachers from Pedagogical Practice School – Ms. Nguyen Ngo Phuong Thanh, Ms. Le Anh Thur, Mr. Pham Hoang Anh, Ms. Tang Kim Thuy, Ms. Pham Thi Thao Nguyen, and Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Giau. (SorSU CoTEd)
Photo credits: AGU External Relations Office and SorSU CoTEd
