DOrSU Among Few PH Universities Invited to China’s University Governance Seminar
Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) continues to advance its internationalization agenda as it proudly stands among the few Philippine higher education institutions invited to participate in the Seminar on University Governance Capacity Enhancement for Developing Countries, held in Jinhua, China, from April 23 to May 6, 2025. DOrSU’s Director for Planning and Development, Dr. Ray John A. Salimaco, represented the university and joined international education leaders in this highly selective capacity-building initiative.
Organized by Zhejiang Normal University (ZJNU) and sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, the seminar is a highly selective initiative aimed at enhancing the governance capabilities of higher education institutions in developing countries. Through lectures, case studies, cultural immersions, and academic visits, the program offers participants valuable exposure to China’s higher education reforms, quality assurance frameworks, teacher development systems, and university-industry linkages.
DOrSU’s inclusion in this capacity-building opportunity was made possible through the support of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Davao. The university was among the few institutions granted limited slots to participate, owing to its consistent and productive academic linkages with Chinese partner institutions.
In a social media post, Dr. Salimaco expressed gratitude to DOrSU President Dr. Roy G. Ponce and Consul General Zhao Xiuzhen. “The seminar provided valuable insights into higher education governance, reforms, and internationalization strategies. I am grateful for the opportunity to engage with international education leaders and explore possible collaborations,” he shared. Dr. Salimaco also confirmed that a potential partnership with Zhejiang Normal University (ZJNU) is under discussion, with proposed initiatives now being evaluated by the ZJNU’s Office of the Director for International Affairs.
DOrSU’s participation in this high-level seminar is part of a broader, ongoing effort to expand its international footprint. Earlier this year, the university sent Dr. Nelson P. Pastolero of the English program as its first short-term faculty exchange participant to Huaqiao University in Quanzhou, Fujian, China. Dr. Pastolero currently teaches courses in Linguistics, Writing and Speaking Skills, and Regional and International Studies at Huaqiao’s College of Foreign Languages.
In 2023, DOrSU also welcomed Yi Jie, a Mandarin language volunteer deployed by Huaqiao University. Her continued presence marks the longest-running deployment of a Mandarin language teacher in Mindanao, made possible through the university’s partnership with the Confucius Institute of Ateneo de Davao University (CI-AdDU).
As DOrSU continues to pursue excellence in education, governance, and global partnerships, its sustained engagement with Chinese institutions signals a strong and growing commitment to academic collaboration, cultural exchange, and internationalization.
