by Dr. Rodrigo F. Ponce Jr.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between San Sebastian College- Recoletos, Manila, Philippines (SSC-R) and Tunku Abdul Raman University College (TAR UC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia took place at the sprawling 11-hectare campus of TAR UC, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on February 6, 2020. After the MoU signing, a meeting followed between the two schools for the finalization of the one-year plan of action.
The delegation from SSC-R Manila was led by Rev. Fr. Nemesio D. Tolentin, OAR, School President with Dr. Lolita de Guzman, Dean of College Department and Dr. Rodrigo F. Ponce Jr., Director of Quality Assurance Office. From the TAR UC delegates who were present and who witnessed the MOU signing ceremony were Professor Ir. Dr. Lee Sze Wei, School President, Associate Professor Say, Sok Kwan, Vice President for Administration and Internationalization, Associate Professor Wong Hwa Kiong, Faculty of Accountancy, Finance and Business, Koh Kim Siang, Deputy Dean of Faculty of Accountancy, Finance, and Business, Ng Chiah Yee, Director of Centre for Continuing and Professional Education and Wong Sher Yi, Assistant Registrar of the Office of the President.
“TAR UC looks forward to collaborating with SSC-R Manila as it offers high-quality education,” said Professor Wei, the University President during the MoU signing. “This partnership extends our commitment to innovative education and creation of unique learning opportunities,” the university president added.
Fr. Tolentin, SSC-R President in his message said, “We share a common vision of the importance of providing our students with an exceptional educational experience, through academic, cultural, research and developmental activities that enhanced global understanding and competitiveness. Now that the MoU is signed, the collaboration and exploration work will begin. Details will develop as opportunities come to light. You are all welcome to visit our school in the Philippines.”
The MoU signing was just one of the 2-day activities conducted with the host school last February 5 – 6, 2020. On February 5, SSC-R delegates conducted class observation, physical plant visit, and interviews with some of the staff, faculty members and heads. It was followed by a meeting and planning with the Administrative Team of the Faculty of Accountancy, Finance and Business headed by the Dean and the Deputy Dean for the one-year activities starting on May 2020 to May 2021 to be conducted either in Malaysia or in the Philippines.
Among the major highlights of the upcoming activities will be the following: 1) Train the Trainers Program and Public Lecture seminar on May 2020 to be conducted by the professors and lecturers from TAR UC and to be hosted by SSC-R Manila; 2) Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing on May 2020 to be done in SSC-R Manila; 3) Student Academic and Cultural Exchange and Faculty Exchange and industry immersion on June 2020 in TAR UC and on November 2020 in SSC-R Manila; 4) Research Presentations and Collaborations on November 2020 and on May 2021; 5) Two (2)- month study program for ACCA certification of the BS in Accountancy students in TAR UC on October-November 2020.
This MoU is designed to foster a friendly relationship through mutual cooperation in academics, curriculum enhancement, faculty-student exchange program, faculty and staff trainings, industrial exposure and immersion programs, research collaborations and other development programs.
