Liceo U Renews Key International Partnership with Taiwans IMHCTC to Advance Mental Health Best Pract
June 24, 2024
SDG 3 SDG 17
Liceo de Cagayan University has successfully renewed its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the International Mental Health Cooperation Training Center (IMHCTC), Taiwan, strengthening its commitment to global health education and professional development. The formal signing took place on June 5, 2024, confirming a continued cross-border partnership that directly supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being by promoting mental health management and training. This crucial collaboration also underscores the university's dedication to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
The core feature of the renewed MOU is a faculty cultural exchange program. This program is designed to be a systematic mechanism for reviewing comparative approaches and developing international best practice. Through this exchange, at least two faculty members from LDCU will participate in a month-long, immersive training on mental health management at IMHCTC’s high-end hospital facilities, including the renowned Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital. This experience is essential for LDCU's College of Nursing and allied health programs, allowing faculty to benchmark against advanced Taiwanese healthcare models and integrate cutting-edge practices into the Philippine curriculum.
The university's institutional commitment to this vital partnership was confirmed by key administrators present at the signing. Dr. Dennis O. Orong, Chief Operations Officer (COO), represented LDCU on behalf of University President Dr. Alain Marc P. Golez. He was joined by Dr. Zenaida G. Gersana, Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), and Dr. Gloria M. Cunanan, Dean of the College of Nursing, who witnessed the agreement. The successful renewal was made possible by the coordinated efforts of the Liceo Internationalization Office and the Office of the Cultural Affairs.
Delegates from IMHCTC, Taiwan, personally visited Liceo U for the renewal, demonstrating the international partner's dedication. The delegation was led by Dr. Chou Li- Shiu, M.P.H., Principal Investigator, along with Mrs. Wang, Shu-Hui (Sandy), Co-Principal Investigator, and Dr. Lu, Yu-Shi, a Psychiatrist from the Department of Addiction Science. This continued partnership promises further projects and engagements that will continue to enhance mental health education and services within the university and the wider community.