Driven by its vision to become a leading university in a borderless region, Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) took a significant step towards achieving this goal by initiating a collaboration with Bethel University, located in Minnesota, USA.
The partnership was spearheaded by Dr. Mildred F. Accad, the Dean of Graduate School at SKSU, and Dr. Safary Wa-mbaleka, an esteemed qualitative researcher and Associate Professor at Bethel University.
On June 27, 2023, a preliminary meeting was convened at the SKSU-QMS office to explore the potential areas of collaboration between the two universities. The discussion primarily revolved around academic and research engagements, participation in various conferences, and the publication of scholarly articles.
The meeting saw the presence of key stakeholders, including Dr. Jesusa D. Ortuoste, Vice President for Academic Affairs at SKSU, Dr. Reynaldo H. Dalayap, Vice President for Finance and Resource Generation, Dr. Marites B. Java, Director for Instruction, and Ms. Evora H. Dioneza, the Executive Assistant for Internationalization and External Affairs who moderated the session.
Dr. Wa-mbaleka emphasized the importance of establishing international linkages in academic institutions, highlighting the shared culture between universities in the USA and the Philippines.
He underscored that, akin to the well-known saying that “no man is an island,” learning institutions cannot achieve success without forming connections both locally and globally.
Concluding the preliminary meeting, the parties agreed to proceed to the consultative stage, where the heads of both institutions will convene to finalize the terms of the memorandum of agreement for the university partnership.
A ceremonial signing will follow to solidify this collaborative endeavor, marking an exciting milestone for SKSU and Bethel University.
– Evora H. Dioneza
