IIT signs MOU with Osaka University

IIT signs MOU with Osaka University

by Michelle Jeanne C. Caracut, Office of the Chancellor

MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Center for Global Initiatives of Osaka University, Japan.  The MOU signaled a new commitment by both institutions for research collaboration, faculty and student exchange, and other international cooperation.

The MOU was signed by Chancellor Sukarno D. Tanggol and the Director of the Global Initiatives of Osaka University, Dr. Gyo Miyahara.

 In an interview with Dr. Nelia G. Balgoa, chairperson of the Department of English, and who spearheaded the scientific visit of Dr. Miyahara, and Prof. T.K. Tan, Associate Head of the College of Law and Humanities, School of Professional and Continuing Education of Hong Kong University, she expressed how delighted the department and the College of Arts and Social Sciences were with the new partnership.

 “This is to step up the internationalization efforts of the college and department in terms of visiting professors. We are happy that Dr. Tan was also able to visit. He is a friend and student of Dr. Miyahara. We hope this opened the doors for collaboration with Hong Kong University since Dr. Tan is part of the Language Center of the University,” said Balgoa.

During their visit on September 4, Miyahara and Tan gave lectures to graduate and undergraduate students of the department. 

“Dr. Miyahara talked on Minority Studies: A Research Design and Methodology for language studies and ethnographic science. Citing Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino as case studies, he talked about the formation and process of “nationalizing” a language, what makes a mother tongue and minority language. He then proposed areas which researchers can explore in language studies. Prof. Tan talked about the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong, a student protest that happened in Hong Kong in September 2014. It was a timely topic within the context of the Marawi siege. Prof. Tan discussed the reasons and the results of youth activism. The talk also explored on the mechanisms in terms of symbolisms, strategies of protest which the students used to clamor for change,” Balgoa relayed.

Photos by: Lynrose Jane D. Genon, Department of English

Topics : MOU  Osaka University  partnership  linkage  collaboration

Osaka University professors in CASS forum

Osaka University professors in CASS forum

by Christine F. Godinez Ortega, Office of Publication & Information (OPI)



A forum on “Reframing the learning of children in-between: Language Acquisition in a Multicultural Setting” was held at the Psychology Laboratory, College of Arts & Social Sciences today, August 30, 2016.

In collaboration with the Global Collaboration Unit- Center for Social Initiatives and Development of Osaka University, the Toyota Foundation and the MSU-IIT through the Department of English, CASS, the invited speakers included Prof. Masaki Hashimoto, Graduate School of Human Sciences of Osaka University, Prof. Ma. Theresa S. Villabona, and Prof. Lynnie Ann P. Deocampo. Prof. Shizuyo Yoshitomi, former Associate Professor, GLOCOL of Osaka University, gave the rationale of the event and introduced the participants.

A sharing of experiences among invited guests followed the focus group discussions.

Among the participants were: Dr. Nimfa L. Bracamonte, CASS; Jose Dennis Mancia of IMCC Center of Development; Jana Jean G. Dacobor of the Mindanaw Tripartite Youth Core; Mariannea Shia Ogawa of the University of Science and Technology in Southern Philippines, Dahnia Zein A. Domado of Xavier University; Amelia Revz M. Jimenez of St. Michael’s College-High School; Dr. Hilton J. Aguja, CASS; and Majalia Burling Olivia. Prof Gyo Miyahara of Global Collaboration Unit of Osaka University was moderator.

Dr. Nelia G. Balgoa, Chair of the Department of English, CASS gave the closing remarks.

Topics : Language Acquisition  Multicultural Setting  CASS  GLOCOL  Osaka University