DOrSU partners with IYF Philippines, TII for youth development programs and overseas internships
Davao Oriental State University (DOrSU) reinforced its commitment to youth development and internationalization through the signing of separate Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the International Youth Fellowship Philippines (IYF Philippines) and Tomorrow International Institute, Inc. (TII) on January 27, 2026, at the University Boardroom.
The agreements were signed by DOrSU President Dr. Roy G. Ponce, expanding the University’s international partnerships to support leadership development, global exposure, and internship opportunities for students and personnel.
The MOU with IYF Philippines, represented by Kim Jin Eun, Director for IYF Mindanao, on behalf of IYF Philippines President Rev. Nam Kyung Hyun, focuses on youth leadership development, cultural exchange, and mind education programs. Through this partnership, students will participate in leadership lectures, learning academies, cultural performances, immersion activities, and campus-wide initiatives designed to promote teamwork, critical thinking, and global awareness.
“Youth is at the heart of what we do. Our primary target is the development of young people, equipping them with leadership skills, critical thinking, and a sense of fairness and social responsibility,” President Ponce said during the signing ceremony. He also emphasized the importance of meaningful outcomes: “I hope that this will not just be a meeting, but that it will be followed by well-defined activities, targets, and outcomes, and that we will be able to demonstrate the impact of this partnership.”
Meanwhile, the partnership with Tomorrow International Institute, Inc. (TII), represented by Mr. Erickson P. Gan, Director of TII, centers on international internship programs, faculty and student exchanges, and benchmarking activities with partner institutions abroad. The collaboration is expected to provide DOrSU students, including those enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness Management, with exposure to global education systems and professional environments in countries such as Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia.
President Ponce highlighted DOrSU’s long-term vision: “While we engage globally, we want our impact to be felt locally. Corruption has no place in education because it undermines progress. Our goal is to produce graduates who are globally aware, socially responsible, and capable of contributing to both local and international development.”
Both partnerships support DOrSU’s internationalization agenda by facilitating linkages with universities and institutions across Asia, enabling student mobility, research collaboration, extension initiatives, and innovation projects. The agreements also emphasize leadership formation, cross-cultural competence, and experiential learning as key components in preparing students for global and local development challenges.
Under the MOUs, DOrSU will mobilize participants and provide venues and logistical support, while IYF Philippines and TII will oversee program implementation, provide resource persons and facilitators, and cover travel-related expenses in accordance with their respective agreements.
The combined initiatives reflect DOrSU’s continuing efforts to broaden learning opportunities beyond the classroom and produce graduates who are globally aware, socially responsible, and equipped with competencies aligned with international standards.
