By Rusieljs G. Lunasco
(from left) Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Irving Domingo Rio and CPU President Dr. Teodor Robles signing the Memorandum of Understanding.
Central Philippine University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Institute of Technology, Sasebo College on March 3, 2020 via Google Meet.
The agreement aims to establish a mutually cooperative relationship in science, technology, and culture.
“We are grateful that our colleagues from Japan are committed to this kind of partnership because it is important that as close neighbors, that we know more about each other’s culture so we can understand better and work better towards development of several areas that are common to our respective universities,” said University President Dr. Teodoro Robles.
Under the partnership, both institutions intend to collaborate in the following fields: exchange of students, teachers, and staff; exchange of useful information and materials for education, research, etc.; joint education and research activities; joint meetings, symposiums, and lectures on science and technology and culture; other activities agreed upon by both institutions.
Officials and Heads of CPU and National Institute of Technology, Sasebo College during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding.
“We hope that through the exchange of faculty members we would be able to start a wide range of collaborations not only in education but also in research,” said Executive Officer of International Affairs Dr. Kazuhiko Mitsuhashi.
The MOU between the two universities will pave the way for the students of both institutions to experience exchange programs, such as for CPU students to participate in the Global Engineering Project in Japan in January 2022. Also, CPU students will have an opportunity to participate in the Sakura Science Project, a science and technology project of Japan.
National Institute of Technology, Sasebo College, Japan is part of KOSEN, a five-year engineering education system established in 1961.
Currently, there are 55 national KOSEN throughout Japan.
The following university officials and heads were present during the signing:
Central Philippine University:
Dr. Teodoro C. Robles- University President
Dr. Irving Domingo Rio- Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dr. Esther Rose A. Romarate- Vice President for Student Affairs
Dr. Anna May Yap-Zerrudo- Director, Office of International Relations and Cooperation
Engr. Dany Molina- Dean, College of Engineering
Prof. Sharlene G. Gotico, Chair, Department of Languages, Mass Communication and Humanities
National Institute of Technology, Sasebo College:
Dr. Kehji Higashida- University President
Dr. Kazuhiko Mitsuhashi- Executive Officer of International Affairs
Dr. Yoshihito Yagyu- Chairperson, Philippine and Kosen Collaboration
Assoc. Prof. Ernie A. Kakehashi- Co-Chairperson, Philippine and Kosen Collaboration