Text by Martin R. Racza

Photo by Angelou C. Mendoza

“As we start doing more things together, we start seeing more possibilities.”

This was the optimism expressed by Dr. Sue Feldman, Director of the Graduate Programs in Health Informatics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) on September 24, 2024, formalizing the already-existing partnership between the two institutions.

The two universities have been exploring ways to enhance the UP Medical Informatics Unit’s offerings. UAB proposed introducing a specialized, US-accredited Master of Science in Health Informatics program designed to complement UP Manila’s existing curriculum. The program, focused on Data Analysis, User Experience, Research, and Artificial Intelligence, aims to provide practical application and institutional training opportunities. Following the initial meetings, a virtual collaboration took place on August 24, 2024, which resulted in key agreements that have led to the signing of the MOU.

Inking the agreement for UPM were Chancellor Michael L. Tee and UP College of Medicine (UPCM) Dean Charlotte M. Chiong, while Dr. Feldman signed on behalf of UAB. Also present during the signing were Philippine General Hospital Director Gerardo D. Legaspi, UPM Development Foundation Executive Director Iris Thiele Isip-Tan, Mr. Arturo M. Ongkeko Jr. of the National Telehealth Center, and Dr. Mark Anthony Rivera.

The ceremony was facilitated by the UPM Office of International Linkages.#