Text by Martin R. Racza

Photo by Erlyn May U. Pareja

From left: Assoc. Prof. Ivan Soberano, Dr. Michel Rod, Dean Sheila Bonito, Chancellor Michael Tee, Dr. Paul Mazerolle, Mr. Lloyd Henderson, and Mr. Dominic Blakely.

Representatives from the University of New Brunswick (UNB) in Canada, led by their president, Dr. Paul Mazerolle, paid a courtesy call to the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila on Nov. 25, 2024, to discuss potential future collaborations particularly in the field of nursing.

Among the specifics of the future partnerships include faculty and student exchanges, opening of UP nursing programs in UNB, and the possible establishment of UP Manila as a regional hub for Canadian students. UNB also raised the possibility of interprofessional education, in this case equipping nursing students with the know-how on exploring business opportunities for those who may choose other forms of the nursing professional path.

For UP Manila’s part, Chancellor Michael Tee urged the continuation of discussions to establish the congruence of the programs of both universities. He also expressed eagerness to expand the international footprints of the College of Nursing (CN), which is globally renowned.

CN Dean Sheila Bonito added that the college is actively trying to help improve the nursing bridging program, enabling it to become a country-approach rather than through the individual efforts of nurses. She also shared that CN provides international students with unique encounters while working in the communities, which was experienced by its Japanese partner universities.

Accompanying Dr. Mazerolle were UNB Vice-Provost for Strategic Enrolment Michel Rod, Associate Vice-President for Student Recruitment and Enrolment Lloyd Henderson, and Mr. Dominic Blakely, senior advisor to the UNB President. Joining Chancellor Tee and Dean Bonito were Assoc. Prof. Julienne Ivan Soberano and Asst. Prof. Arnold Peralta. #