Chinese corner reopens in MMSU library

 

Chinese consul and head of post Zhou Youbin, and MMSU President Shirley Agrupis lead the unveiling and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the Chinese corner at the ground floor of the MMSU main library. Said corner features various book titles, a television set, DVD player, teaching materials, and photo exhibits to be used by university faculty and students. (Lei Adriano)

 

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff Reporter

CITY of Batac—A Chinese corner, measuring around 7 by 13 meters is now open at the first floor of the main library building of the state-run Mariano Marcos State University in this city.

The corner features various book titles, a television set, DVD player, teaching materials, and photo exhibits for use by university faculty and students.

Leading the unveiling ceremony on Sept. 3, 2020 are Chinese consul and head of post Zhou Youbin and MMSU President Shirley Agrupis.

In her speech, Dr. Agrupis said the reopening of the Chinese corner is another milestone in the history of the university as it continues to strengthen partnership with various stakeholders around the world.

"With the Chinese Corner in MMSU, there will be no more boundaries in knowing more about China in terms of culture, education, and technologies,” she said.

According to Dr. Agrupis, the reactivation of the Chinese corner is meant to complement MMSU’s tourism course and Mandarin language offering to students.

She also extended her gratitude to the Chinese Consulate in Laoag for its “relentless support” to MMSU especially during the pandemic expressing that the consulate never stopped sharing China's resources by delivering PPEs and masks to the university.

For consul Zhou, he said that language is a bridge of cultures. The Chinese corner will not only be a resource for students to learn Mandarin, but also a platform for young people to learn more about modern China and the history of China-Philippine friendship.

Earlier, the 1978 MMSU library building underwent a series of renovations in the past which affected the first Chinese corner that has was set up at the said library in 2002.

 

Sister provinces meeting

Meanwhile, the sister provinces of Ilocos Norte and Shandong Province held a video exchange meeting on Sept. 2, 2020 as they discussed and exchanged views on post-pandemic cooperation regarding education and maize planting.

Shandong province has also committed to continue to offer scholarship to Filipino students to support their study in Shandong.

Present during the meeting were Mr. Sun Yebao, deputy director general of the Foreign Affairs Office of Shandong Province together with their officials from the Provincial Education Department, Shandong Normal University, and Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, as well as provincial board member of Ilocos Norte Saul Lazo and heads from the Provincial Education Department, Provincial Sustainable Development Center, and the MMSU.

 

‘We are ready to assist’

In a related development, Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph M. Manotoc said the provincial government will extend its assistance to the schools division of Ilocos Norte for the full implementation of blended learning in the province.

“We are ready, and we look forward to assisting the Department of Education (DepEd) Ilocos Norte,” Mr. Manotoc stressed.

During a virtual press conference, he expressed his “strong support” for a combined online learning and traditional use of modules in the province. 

“It will be gadget days. However, it is hard to be on screen the whole day, so it will be 50% use of gadgets and 50% use of learning modules. We encourage the delivery of blended learning because it is affordable and environment-friendly.”

PGIN has allotted PHP25 million for the procurement of desktop computers for learners and teachers. Also, the Provincial Education Office is partnering with gadget companies to augment learning equipment in far-flung communities.

According to Mr. Manotoc, the provincial government will prioritize the provision of learning facilities to junior and senior high school students. However, the provincial government is still waiting for the exact number of equipment they need to purchase.

Earlier, Education secretary Leonor M. Briones announced the deferment of school opening from Aug. 24, 2020 to Oct. 5, 2020.

This year, SDOIN recorded a total of 89,625 learners enrolled in public and private schools which is almost 96% of the total number of enrollees of the last school year. (With a report by Blessing Angel V. Agliam)