Text by: Angelou C. Mendoza
Photo by: Erlyn May U. Pareja

The University of the Philippines Manila (UPM), through the Philippine National Ear Institute (PNEI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the San Beda University – College of Medicine (SBU-COM) last, February 15, 2024, to establish an academic and research partnership that would help develop and implement the Hearing and Balance elective course of SBU-COM.

San Beda officials and representatives comprised of Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma. A. Maranan, OSB, SBU Rector-President, led a delegation which included SBU-COM Dean Dr. Noel D. Atienza, Vice-Dean Dr. Jesse Noel V. Conjares, Prefect Dr. Ana Marie Morelos, Vice President for Research and Innovation Dr. Fernandino Jose A. Fontanilla, Curriculum Planning Unit Head Dr. Enrico Paolo Banzuela, Year Level 3 Coordinator Dr. Genevieve Marie Potian De Vera, and Medical Electives Course Coordinator Dr. Jzarinah Jan Grace Tan Reside lent their support to the MOA.

UP Manila Chancellor Michael L. Tee led the signatories including NIH Executive Director Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-de la Paz, UP College of Medicine (UPCM) Dean Charlotte M. Chiong, PNEI Director Dr. Erasmo Gonzalo D.V. Llanes, PNEI Assistant Director, Course Coordinator Dr. Kimberly Mae C. Ong, former PNEI Director Dr. Ma. Rina Reyes Quintos, and UPCM College Secretary Dr. Abner L. Chan.

After the MOA signing, the visitors were given a tour of the UP-PGH Ear Unit, the UPCM Clinical Simulation Laboratory, and the Department of Anatomy that showases the college’s state-of-the-art medical facilities and advanced technologies in medical teaching.

The MOA signing is aimed at building a stronger relationship and creating new avenues of knowledge exchange, aligned with the Chancellor’s vision for Accessible Leadership through multi-institutional collaboration, and to strengthen the role of UPM in Nation-Building and Public Service.