The Confucius Institute at Ateneo de Davao University (CI-ADDU) and Davao Oriental State University (DORSU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to formalize their educational cooperation. The signing ceremony was successfully held at ADDU on 30 March 2023 and was attended by key representatives from both universities.
The MOU and MOA aim to strengthen the goals of CI-ADDU in the promotion of Mandarin language and Chinese arts and cultures in the Davao region. Representatives from DORSU included University President, Dr. Roy G. Ponce, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Cheryll L. Bautista, Dean of Faculty of Education and Teacher Training, Dr. Gemma M. Valdez, BOR Secretary and Acting Executive Assistant, Mr. Philip Yncierto, and Director of Global Affairs and International Relations Office, Dr. Lilibeth Galvez.
Meanwhile, from ADDU, the signing was attended by the University President, Rev. Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J., Dean of the School of Business and Governance, Dr. Jenner Chan, Director of the Ateneo Internationalization for Mindanao Office, Mr. Romulo Vinci R. Bueza, English Director of the ADDU Confucius Institute, Dr. Maricar Gay Panda, and Chinese Director of ADDU Confucius Institute, Prof. Shenglin Zhang.
The signing ceremony highlighted the importance of learning Mandarin Chinese in the current global landscape. Fr. Tabora expressed his support for DORSU in its efforts to learn Mandarin and establish friendship with China. Dr. Ponce, on the other hand, emphasized the significance of language in branding and future development. He believes that good things will happen, such as friendship and development, when there is effective communication between parties. The representatives from both universities then signed the MOA and MOU, formally sealing their partnership.
CI-ADDU’s Chinese Director, Zhang Shenglin, delivered the closing remarks, expressing his excitement for the future prospects of the partnership between the universities. He envisions Huaqiao University, ADDU, and DORSU, collaborating in various educational endeavors.
Following the signing ceremony, the guests from DORSU were given a campus tour of the ADDU campus and the CI-ADDU office. This momentous event marks a significant milestone in the educational cooperation between the Confucius Institute at ADDU and DORSU, paving the way for more meaningful collaborations in the future.
Article and Photos by the Confucius Institute at Ateneo de Davao University (CI-ADDU)
