By Leo G. Almonte, MDC
US Embassy Deputy Public Attaché Ms. Pauline Anderson visited West Visayas State University last October 25, 2022. The visit aims to discover opportunities for WVSU in the United States in exchange programs, student mobility, academic research, and partnerships with American educational institutions. Ms. Anderson was accompanied by Ms. Jennifer Anna J. Pascua, American Spaces Program Coordinator, Public Affairs Section.
WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz headed the representation from the university, together with Dr. Ma. Asuncion Christine V. Dequilla, VP for Academic Affairs; Dr. Porferio J. Barlas Jr., VP for Administration and Finance; Dr. Celina C. Gellada, Vice President of Medical & Allied Sciences; Dr. Wilhelm P. Cerbo, Director of UPDO; Dr. Alona M. Belarga, Director of Instruction; Dr. Dolly Rose F. Temelo, Director of Quality Assurance; Dr. Ryan Michael Oducado, Director of URDC, Prof. Edel Carmela S. Subong-Csoka, Director of ILLO; Dr. Ian C. Espada, Dean of the College of Communication; and Mr. Leo G. Almonte, Director of PAMCO.
In his opening talk, Dr. Villaruz discussed the past and ongoing engagements with academic institutions in the United States. He mentioned the challenges and issues that WVSU experienced in their exchange programs involving US universities. Aside from medicine, the university president stated that agriculture is another area of possible partnership.
After a video presentation about WVSU, Ms. Andersen gave her response and insight on potential collaborations between the university and the United States. “I am very optimistic about future partnerships,” she said. “There are doors of opportunities in education between the university and United States in the new normal.”
A group photo-taking and the exchange of tokens between Dr. Villaruz and Ms. Andersen capped the meeting. The WVSU-US Embassy talk was made possible through the coordination of ILLO led by Prof. Edel Carmela S. Subong-Csoka.