Catbalogan City – Students from Samar State University (SSU) guested at the DYSY Radio Station today for an exclusive interview on their visit to Yamagata University as short term exchange students.
Together with the students on the program were Dr. Elmer Irene, the Director for International Affairs and Ms. Theresa Probadora, the faculty chaperone of the students to Japan.
The SSU delegates spent a week in Yamagata University for benchmarking, lectures, company visits, and cultural exchange with the foreign students.
The team shared their experiences to give inputs in terms of preparation, feedback, and best practices for future student exchange programs.
Dr. Irene explained that this program is a part of the internationalization of Higher Education mandate at the national level.
“In our level, one of the strategic goals is to prepare the foundation for an international university. In order to achieve that, we need to establish international partners for academic collaboration and joint research undertakings. One of the agreements of with them is the student exchange program,” he added.
When asked regarding the selection process of the delegates, Irene emphasized the own niche and needs of each college distinct from other colleges as the main factor in choosing the students to be sent abroad.
“The leeway of selection is given to the college. The college will program it and submit it for approval to the Board. Interested students will express their intention to their adviser who will endorse it to the Program Chair, to the Dean, and the Focal Person of the Quality Assurance (QA). The Office of the International Affairs will coordinate, assist, and communicate to ensure that the procedures are followed,” he stated.
As the faculty chaperone of the student-delegates, Probadora said that ushering the students to experience a new country was a thrill.
“It was a great experience touring them in a country new to them. I have to let them experience how to ride the station, how to greet the Japanese people, and to my surprise, they were able to cope up real quick. The University chose the right students to embody the Philippines,” she said.
Juancho M. Gulla, Jr., a Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) major in Math student and one of the chosen delegates, shared thatdealing with the Japanese people was his best experience.
Along with Gulla was Ranniel Abarcar, a BSED major in Biological Sciences student, who said that the best practice in Yamagata University was their waste segregation.
“As a student-leader who also serve in our barangay as an SK Councilor, I really would like to apply the way the Japanese people segregate their waste. They really give serious attention in maintaining the cleanliness of their vicinity,” he pointed out.
Cherylou Bacalan, an English major, stressed their edge in terms of communication.
“The foreign students from Yamagata University was amazed of how well SSU delegates speak in a large crowd. They even wanted us to stay so we could teach them how to speak English,” Bacalan said.
Together with Bacalan, Gulla, and Abarcar were Nikki Ann Ramos, BSED Social Studies, and Aissa Dacol, Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT) major in Garments.
Irene announced that there will be more opportunities for foreign travel that await the students and faculty.
“Actually, we already signed agreements with some universities abroad for short-term and long-term exchange student programs, and they are ready anytime to welcome us. This year, a faculty will be going to Korea and probably, and selected students will be going along with her,” Irene stated.
He also assured that there will be more “catching up” visits to be realized in partnership with our neighboring countries in the days to come.
The program hosted by the University Radio In-Charge, Mrs. Joan Baclay, ended by thanking the people and organizations which aided in the realization of the program.