by Michelle Jeanne Caracut, OfCom | Feb 20 2024
The National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology (NKUST) of Taiwan, ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø – Iligan Institute of Technology (²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø-IIT), and ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø-Sulu (²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø Sulu) joined hands in the simultaneous signing of the Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) on February 19, 2024.
The ceremony, held at the ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø-IIT campus, marked a momentous occasion as the three institutions committed to fostering academic partnerships and advancing global education.
“As we step into this partnership, we envision continued excellence by investing more resources in knowledge enhancement and fostering extensive research efforts to tackle the challenges and embrace the opportunities that the 21st century brings,” said Chancellor Alizedney M. Ditucalan as he welcomed the delegates coming from Taiwan and Sulu at the ceremony.
The ceremony witnessed representatives from NKUST, ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø-IIT, and ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø-Sulu affirming their collective commitment to advancing education and research on an international scale. The collaboration aims to create a network of academic exchange, enriching the educational experiences of students and researchers across borders.
NKUST President, Dr. Ching-Yu Yang, expressed his delight at the realization of the agreement and coming for the first time to Mindanao and ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø-IIT. The agreement between NKUST and ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø-IIT sets the stage for a multifaceted cooperation, encompassing on exchange of scholars and researchers; coordination of joint research, lectures, and symposia; exchange of data, documentation, and research materials; exchange of staff and students; and collaboration in establishing dual-degree programs.
NKUST expanded its global footprint by signing an MOU with ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø-Sulu, emphasizing also academic cooperation and exchange, with a focus on mutual benefits.
The two sister campuses, ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø-IIT and ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø-Sulu, also solidified their commitment to collaborative educational initiatives, setting the stage for shared research endeavors; student, faculty and staff exchange programs; exchange of academic materials, publications, theses and other scientific information; and other educational and academic exchanges to which both universities agree.
All three universities articulated a shared vision during the ceremony, emphasizing the promotion of international understanding, fostering cultural exchange, and addressing global challenges through various initiatives.
“In the face of future challenges, no university, regardless of its size or resources, can stand alone. In this era of globalization and interdependence, collaborative partnerships with academic institutions worldwide are not merely an option but a necessity,” stressed Chancellor Ditucalan.
The signing ceremony was attended by executive officials of the three universities, led by NKUST President Yang, ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø-IIT Chancellor Ditucalan, and ²ÝÝ®ÊÓƵ¹ÙÍø-Sulu Chancellor Nagder J. Abdurahman. The event was witnessed by other officials, faculty members, and students of the three participating universities.