The UP Visayas Graduate School, in coordination with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, welcomed representatives from the Madonna University in Livonia, Michigan, USA at its Iloilo City campus on June 6, 2023.
On site to formally receive the group were Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Philip Ian Padilla, UPV Graduate School Dean Dr. Rowena Paz Gelvezon, and Assistant to the VCAA for International Linkages Dr. Hanny John P. Mediodia.
Dr. Shelly Tucker, Director of the Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad, led the Madonna University representatives.
A roundtable discussion on possible international collaborations and partnerships ensued to lay the foundations for fruitful international collaborations and the proposed development of academic curricula, as well as the establishment of student and faculty exchange programs between the two universities. Before the discussions, the delegation paid a courtesy call to Chancellor Clement Camposano.
In line with the internationalization program of UPV, the areas identified for research engagements are: 1) community work, 2) education, 3) community health, 4) nutrition, and 5) forensic DNA technology.
Madonna University Panel Members included members of the faculty: Dr. Tucker, Dr. Jodi Barta, Dr. Roxanne Roth, Dr. Karen Schmitz, Dr. LaToi Smith, and Dr. Sarah Twitchell. Graduate students Colleen Curran, Erica Daniels, Abrianna De Bono, Jessica Grima, and Tavia Hill were also present.
UPV was composed of faculty members Dr. Donne Jone P. Sodusta, Dr. Victor Marco Emmanuel N. Ferriols, Prof. Rica Cainglet, and Prof. Josephine T. Firmase, Dr. Alice Prieto-Carolino, Dr. Johannes M. Magpusao, Dr. Adrienne Marrie Bugayong-Janagap, Pearl Angeli Palacios-Pedroso, MD, RN, and graduate students Ms. Kate Luv D. Gellangarin and Ms. Catherine May E. Malones, among others.
A signing of the Memorandum of Agreement for further collaboration was proposed, and will be pursued, capped the meeting.
The organizing team of the event was composed of Dr. Padilla, Dr. Mediodia, Dr. Gelvezon, and Dr. Sanley S. Abila.
