Boac, Marinduque, Philippines — The Marinduque State University cordially hosted the visit of the National Agency for Academic Assessment and Accreditation (NAAAA) of the Democratic Republic of Timor Leste on September 19, 2024 at MarSU Main Campus, Tanza, Boac ,Marinduque and discussed the proposed areas of cooperation with NAAA and selected universities in East Timor.
Organized by the International Relations Office and College of Business and Accountancy, MarSU has taken another major step forward in creating international academic cooperation for wider network building.
Asst. Prof. Jholey Rose L. Lancion (Deputy Director, International Relations Office) hosted the welcome program for the NAAAA delegation with the welcome message from Asst. Prof. Raoul J. Magcamit (Vice President for Academic Affairs & Director, International Relations Office). He also presented the MarSU officials, College Deans, IRO coordinators, faculty members, personnel, and students. Additionally, the message of the University President, Prof. Diosdado P. Zulueta was delivered by Dr. Ma. Edelwina M. Blasé (Vice President for Research and Extension). Dr. Verna Liza L. Capina (Dean, College of Business and Accountancy) delivered the statement of purpose focusing on the theme entitled “Cooperation in Borderless Academia: The CBA’s Path to Expanding its Global Academic Footprint”.
The NAAAA Executive Director, Dr. Nilton Diamantino Paiva Mau introduced the delegation whose member include Mr. Paulino Saldanha (Assistant Quality Assurance Officer), and Mr. Nuno Nascimento (Logistic Staff). Dr. Mau expressed his sincerest appreciation to the warm welcome extended to them by MarSU community. He delightedly shared that he was once a postgraduate student in the Philippines and has established partners in various SUCs in the country.
As a grand gesture of welcoming the visitors, the Culture and Arts Unit, headed by its Director, Ms. Ruby Ann T. Lantita, rendered the traditional putong to the NAAAA delegation together with the Bachelor of Culture and Arts Education students. Group photo opportunity followed shortly after the putong.
After the coffee and refreshments break, they proceeded with the campus tour wherein they visited the facilities in MarSU Boac Campus like the Institutional Quality Assurance Office, other administrative offices, colleges, Learning Resource Center, and gymnasium.
In the afternoon session, Asst. Prof. Raoul J. Magcamit hosted the roundtable discussion which started with the MarSU Audio-Visual Presentation. The activity was also graced by the presence of Dr. Ma. Edelwina M. Blasé (Vice President for Research and Extension), Asso. Prof. Marvin P. Plata (Vice President for Student Affairs Services), Atty. Arlyn Retardo (Legal Officer), Ms. Maria Morena V. Santos (University & Board Secretary), College Deans, and IRO Coordinators.
Dr. Mau presented the NAAAA profile as it is the regulatory agency for setting up standard for HEIs quality assurance in Timor Leste as well as the standards for study program and institutional accreditation and respective processes.
After Dr. Mau’s presentation, Asst. Prof. Carlo Magno M. Castro (CBA Associate Dean) presented the MOU between NAAAA and MarSU for various areas of cooperation. The deans actively participated in the discussion and agreed to be part of the partnership, wherein a lot of areas of collaboration were identified for engagement. Recommendations and adherence to guidelines on international partnerships were also given in preparation for the signing of the agreement once approved.
After the concerns and recommendations have been noted and agreed upon, the discussion closed with a photo opportunity and handling of tokens for NAAAA delegation who were very delighted to have visited the province and experienced the warmth of Filipino hospitality.
(DA Sto. Domingo/MarSU Info Unit)
Photos by Trojan’s Time/CBA & C. Regis/Sentro
