USL was able to enter into an understanding for possible exchange and educational cooperation with Chinese educational institutions
With China's current economic standing, much importance is now being placed on higher-level education with emphasis on English proficiency. Chinese students have seen the value of these for their future career advancement and employment opportunities.
Chinese education has placed greater attention on international student exchange with foreign partner institutions. According to the Chinese Ministry of Education, in 2007, over 130,000 students departed for overseas study. There are more than 30,000 Chinese students returning to China annually upon the completion of their studies. This figure is projected to increase by 15% each year at the current rate of students studying abroad. Aside from learning English, other popular courses for overseas study include: Information technology, engineering, accounting, international communications, logistics, and hotel management.
Last October 25-26, the Philippines went on its 5th participation to the China Education Expo in Shanghai with exploratory mission to Wuhan on the 21st and 22nd. The participation, led by the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate in Shanghai and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)-Shanghai, brought seven leading educational institutions and one partner city to China.
During the two-day expo, the participation's partner city- Quezon City- garnered more than 200 trade inquiries. With its tagline "Home to the Best Universities and the ICT Capital of the Philippines," most inquiries were about the top universities in Quezon City as well as courses related to Business Management, IT, MBA, and other post graduate degrees.
On the delegation's business mission to Wuhan, University of St. Louis- Tuguegarao (USL) was able to enter into an understanding for possible exchange and educational cooperation with Jiliang University of Science and Technology and Zhejiang Vocational College of Commerce.
"The business trip to Wuhan was, for us, a great opportunity to interact with other schools and Chinese local authorities on education. It opened doors for probable collaboration," says Vice President for Administration, Dr. Emmanuel Pattaguan. The signing of Memorandum of Understanding between University of St. Louis and the Chinese educational institutions focus on faculty and student exchange and possible collaboration on research. Two more Memorandum of Understanding are in the works for this Tuguegarao-based university.
The Technological University of the Philippines (TUP), likewise, was able to enter into an understanding with Wuhan Polytechnic University where the latter initiated the negotiation to send over a hundred Chinese students to the Philippine university. Just recently, TUP President Dr. Godofredo Gallega came back from a meeting with the Chinese university already with 46 confirmed students who will be studying in the technological university. "Our experience in China was very fruitful though the initiatives of CITEM," says the university President.
Wuhan is one of the key scientific and educational bases in China which boasts of the 3rd biggest scientific educational center in China. Wuhan initiated some high-level and diversified international exchange and cooperation programs to promote the global capabilities of their institution.
"China is good place to promote Philippine universities because they have big student population. [The Philippines] is an English-speaking nation and hence our education is comparable to other global schools where English is a medium of instruction," explains Dr. Pattaguan regarding USL-Tuguegarao's aim of promoting their institution.
Universities that also participated in the event were: Asian Institute of Management, Father Saturnino Urios University, Liceo de Cagayan University, Recoletos Schools in the Philippines, and University of Cebu.
source: http://citem.com.ph/DisplayIndividual_newsarchive.asp?ID=288
http://beta.mb.com.ph/articles/194095/rp-universities-ties-with-chinese-counterparts
