DOrSU Strengthens International Ties through New Partnerships, Collaborative Talks in China
Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) further strengthened its international linkages through new academic partnerships and collaborative talks during the 30th China International Education Exhibition Tour (CIEET 2025) and the 21st China Study Abroad Forum (CSAF 2025), held from April 8 to 13, 2025, in Beijing, Wuhan, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
Representing DOrSU, University President Dr. Roy G. Ponce and Dr. Lilibeth S. Galvez, Director of the Global Affairs and International Relations Office (GAIRO), joined the Philippine higher education delegation led by Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis. The delegation included representatives from Davao del Norte State College, the University of Southeastern Philippines, Rizal Technological University, the University of Perpetual Help System Laguna, and other participating academic institutions.
A significant milestone of the trip was the ceremonial signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DOrSU and Jiaxing University in Zhejiang Province, China. This partnership forms part of a broader collaboration involving ten Philippine universities. It will focus on key areas such as microcredentialing, job shadowing, student and faculty exchanges, and collaborative research initiatives designed to promote academic growth and global engagement. During the event, Dr. Ponce also presented DOrSU’s Regenerative Futures vision and its flagship projects, which drew interests for potential collaboration.
In a separate engagement, Dr. Ponce held an initial meeting with Deputy Director Yu Wei of the China National Botanical Gardens in Beijing. Their discussion opened possibilities for academic and research exchanges, internship placements for DOrSU students, and support for developing the university’s own botanical collections.
The delegation likewise paid a courtesy call to the Philippine Embassy in Beijing, where they met with Ambassador Jaime FlorCruz and Vice Consul Maria May-i L. Fabros. The embassy shared relevant data on Chinese citizens pursuing studies abroad, including those enrolled in Philippine universities, highlighting the value of cross-border academic partnerships.
DOrSU’s active participation in CSAF 2025, held under the theme “Quality, Trust, Safety: For the Sustainable Development of International Education,” reflects the university’s growing commitment to cultivating global partnerships that enrich academic experiences and broaden opportunities for its students and faculty.
