By Edmer D. Bernardo, photos by Patrick Lance Nacion

The virtual Student Exchange Program between Indonesia’s Pangkep State Polytechnic of Agriculture (POLIPANGKEP) and the Iloilo State College of Fisheries (ISCOF) officially opened with a virtual ceremony today, May 16.

Right before their first class with CFAS Dean Dr. Roy Villanueva, the four Indonesian Fisheries students were presented by Dr. Nur Rahmawaty Arma, Vice Director for Student Affairs and Collaboration of the PoliPangkep.

Their four Agriculture students will begin virtual classes with faculty members of ISCOF Dingle and ISCOF San Enrique on May 17.

Meanwhile, the four ISCOF students whose classes begin also today were presented to their Indonesian faculty by Dr. Erwyn Valencia, Director for Advancement and Linkages.

The MOU is for the development of a spirit of friendship and mutual interest, on a reciprocal basis, of both state institutions, as signed by ISCOF President Dr. Nordy D. Siason Jr. and PoliPangkep Director Dr. Ir Darmawan on May 12.

The parties agreed to have: student exchanges, including field trips, on the job training, Internship program and volunteering opportunities; university faculty and researcher’s exchanges; exchange of library holdings and other library linkage; Industry – Academic Linkage; identification of methods for academic collaboration, including summer school, Educational – tourism projects, and visiting lectures; organization of joint research projects, including conferences, seminars, workshops, joint organizers of international conferences and meetings; and the exchange of information and publications, among others.

In her speech during the opening program, ISCOF VP for Academics Dr. Joan Belga thanked PoliPangkep: “Learning is beyond those knowledge and skills taught and experienced in our formal education. It is also more than gaining experience to ready our students for their future jobs. Understanding and experiencing another culture is a necessity to become a global citizen. Thus, it is an honor for our institution to start our collaboration and partnership with you.”

In his own message, Dr. Siason remarked that this Student Exchange Program is a blueprint for collaboration that will help ISCOF and PoliPangkep contribute their share in the realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The international student and faculty exchange programs covered by the MOU are part of ISCOF System’s internationalization efforts, and among the College President’s “Caring to Bridge, Bridging to Care” priorities.