Tuesday, March 11, 2008 Esguerra: UB and International Education By Dr. Josefina Esguerra University Voice
IN AN interview with one of the foreign students now enrolled in the University of Baguio (UB), we asked this question: "Why did you choose to study in Baguio City?" His answer was: "Because UB is in Baguio City."
Such a statement has a significant implication on the status of the University of Baguio as one of the leading temples of learning in the country.
The University of Baguio is not only famous on the national scene but also on the international scene.
Through the years, it has played a significant role in promoting international understanding through varied academic and co-curricular programs such as: student exchanges, scholarships, exchange visits, and cultural and athletic programs.
Over the years, the university has trained a significant number of foreign students in the different degree programs offered by the institution.
To mention some: Dr. Somjet Poosri and Dr. Thongmuan Nasanguim (now President and Vice President, respectively, of the Rajahbat University Mahasarakam, Thailand); Natpawee Pruksasin of Thailand; Dr. Tang Shiming of the People's Republic of China; Dr. Xiaoqin Fan of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China; Dr. Ivan Sikha, New Dehli, India; Dr. Ernesto Lumaoang, Ontario, Canada; Fr. Wen Jun Zheng, Cheng De City, He Bei Province, China; and many more graduates of the graduate and undergraduate programs of UB.
As a positive proof of the recognition given UB abroad, we have a continuing number of foreign students enrolled in our different courses.
To date, a total of 226 foreign students are enrolled in UB, broken down, as follows: Korean, 92; American, 56; Iranian, 22; Sudanese, 11; Chinese, 8; Thai, 6; Nepali, 5; Ethiopian, 3; Indonesian, 3; Indian, 3; Nigerian, 3; Djibouti, 2; Canadian, 2; Kenyan, 2; Vietnamese, 1; Tanzanian, 1; Somalian, 1; Japanese, 1; Bahrain, 1; Eritrean, 1; Madagascar, 1; and Egyptian, 1.
In spite of diverse beliefs, these foreign students have integrated themselves satisfactorily with our academic community.
Our local students, in turn, harmoniously deal with the foreign students, such that these foreign students feel at home in University of Baguio.
The University of Baguio has also developed consortium agreements and faculty and students exchange programs with academic institution in Japan, Thailand, Korea, and China; in hotels in Singapore; and in hospitals in Thailand.
The university has sent from time to time, some selected students, faculty, and staff abroad for training, and their work experiences abroad broadened their horizons and helped a lot in effecting positive changes in the program of development of the university.
At the same time, their association with other professors and administrators abroad contributed to the promotion of friendship and understanding among our people and those of other countries.
Likewise, the exchange foreign students have contributed to the promotion of cultural and international understanding among peoples of varied culture and nationalities.
The University of Baguio has also hosted several international visitors: groups of visiting foreign students, university professors, researchers, and administrators, athletes, as well as cultural groups.
These, and many more, are positive indicators of the active role being played by the University of Baguio in promoting the spirit of internationalism, of world brotherhood and peace.
