USJ Macao Visits the Lasallian Family in the Philippines

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USJ Macao Visits the Lasallian Family in the Philippines

2025-01-28

28

Jan

28/01/2025

Supported by the Education Fund of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) Macao visited the Lasallian family in the Philippines in the second half of January 2025 to promote international cooperation and exchange in the education sector by deepening the existing relationship between USJ Macao and two De La Salle Universities (DLSU) in three campuses. The three universities are all members of the Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACCU) which is a regional association of Catholic Universities in countries within this geographical area and USJ is the Secretariat of this notable Association.

The USJ Macao delegation, led by Dr. Teresa Loong, the Vice-Rector for Student Life, visit the De La Salle University – Laguna Campus first in the morning on the 22nd of January, and was warmly welcomed by Dr. Jonathan R. Dungca, Vice President of the Campus, together with Dr. Rochelle Irene Lucas, the Dean of the Br. Andrew Gonzalez FSC College of Education, Dr. Fides del Castillo, the Associate Dean of the School of Innovation and Sustainability, Mr. Engelbert Talunton, Head of the Senior High School, Miss Daryl D. Gadingan, the Assistant Principal of the Senior High School, Miss Reinette Natividad, the Director of Student Activities of De La Salle University Senior High School.

According to Dr. Dungca, this is a historical meeting held at the Enrique K. Razon Jr. Hall, a state-of-the-art facility newly celebrated the inauguration by DLSU President Br. Bernard Oca FSC, by receiving the first group of international guests in this innovative and well designed building. During the meeting, both parties shared about the background and current developments of the two institutions. USJ was invited to participate in the innovation week and art congress held by DLSU.

In the afternoon on the 23rd of January, the USJ delegation visited the Taft campus of DLSU Manila. Miss Fritzie Ian De Vera, DLSU’s Vice President for Lasallian Mission, welcomed the delegation on behalf of Br. Oca FSC by highlighting the shared values of community service and academic excellence between the two institutions.

In the meeting at the Taft campus, the USJ team shared their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, showcasing different social and ecological initiatives before having DLSU’s Social Engagement and Service-Learning Programs presented by Mr. Juanito Alcazar, the Director of the Center for Social Concern and Action and Miss Marietta P. Guanzon, the Service-Learning Specialist of DLSU.

Faculty members from various colleges, including Dr. Mary Jane Flores, Dean and Faculty from the College of Science, Dr. Jeanne Peracullo, Faculty from the College of Liberal Arts, Dr. Kimberley Migallos, Faculty from the College of Education, Atty. Yancy Garganta, Faculty from the College of Business and Commercial Law, Ms. Maricel Balatbat, Faculty from the College of Business, shared personal experiences integrating Service-Learning into academic objectives and the Lasallian core values. Mr. Jimi Caldea, Program Coordinator, and Ms. Ana Erika Lareza discussed the Uniservitate Asia & Oceania Regional Hub, outlining its coming initiatives for this year.

The session concluded with an open discussion where USJ and DLSU representatives explored potential collaborations and future sessions to further enhance their Service-Learning programmes.

“Overall, the visit was more than just an exchange of ideas; it celebrated the shared hopes of both universities to foster a socially engaged academic environment. Both DLSU and USJ look forward to working together and making a positive impact in their communities,” the DLSU said.

In both Laguna campus and Dasmariñas, the USJ professors and administration shared the academic, research, and scholarship opportunities that are being provided exclusively to the DLSU in front of more than 1,500 senior high school students and teachers. Students demonstrated their interest by asking questions to the team and exchanging ideas after the two sessions of orientation.

Last but not least, in the afternoon on the 24th of Jan, the USJ delegation revisited the De La Salle University-Dasmariñas (DSLU-D) for a second time since the previous visit in August 2023 after a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing between USJ and DLSU-D during the ASSEACU conference in Baguio. The USJ team was warmly welcomed by the DLSU-D delegation led by Dr. Christian George C. Francisco, Vice President for Global Engagement and External Relations after visiting the campus facilities including the beautiful Museo de la Salle and University Chapel.

Dr. Maria Nornelyn L. Cachuela, the Director of the Linkages and Scholarship Office, Prof. Marlon Pareja, the DSLU-D Senior High School Principal, Ms. Ma. Luisa V. Cuaresma – Associate Principal for Academics and Research, Ms. Josephine L. Cruz – Associate Principal for Administrative Services and Student Affairs, and Ms. Rachel Arbiol, are among the DSLU-D representatives to receive USJ. Both USJ and DLSU-D agreed on deepening the relationship by having student and faculty exchange in the coming semesters.

This visit to the Philippines was a resounding success. Both USJ and DLSU have a shared commitment to promoting international exchange and cooperation, to fostering socially engaged academic environments, and to making a positive impact on their communities.

[Group Photo with DLSU Laguna including Dr. Jonathan R. Dungca, Dr. Rochelle Irene Lucas, Dr. Fides del Castillo, Mr. Engelbert Talunton, Miss Daryl D. Gadingan, and Miss Reinette Natividad]