Motivated by their mutual pursuit to hone future world leaders, the Université International de Rabat (UIR) in Morocco and the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) sealed an academic cooperation to provide a more valuable learning experience for students.
Facilitated by the Rabat-based Embassy of the Philippines in the Kingdom of Morocco, the initial meeting between the institutions was initiated to foster people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
The alliance was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement signed by UIR President Noureddine Mouaddib, Benilde Vice Chancellor for Academics Angelo Marco Lacson and Benilde School of Arts, Culture, and Performance (SACP) Dean Ma. Magdalena De Leon.
It proposes the development of academic programs and courses as well as double or joint diplomas in fields, to include engineering, computer science, management and business, political science and economics.
Mobility programs for summer periods, plus full semesters will be made available to undergraduate and graduate students.
Faculty members may engage in exchanges for the purpose of teaching and research.
Networking, joint scholarly activities and an active interchange of a range of academic publications are also among the many benefits of the collaboration.
Reciprocal assistance for visiting students, faculty and staff are likewise covered.
The first engagement between the two institutions was Kinabuhi: Suyam and Ompo of Agusan-Manobo, an exhibition on the rich cultural heritage of the Agusan Manobo tribe.
Curated by arts-lifestyle writer and Benilde Arts Management Program Chairperson Alain Zedrick Camiling, the show featured an impressive collection of sculptural ceramics by visual artist and Benilde Design Foundation educator Carlito Camahalan Amalla, a member of the tribe.
It was presented by the Philippine Embassy to Morocco in Rabat in partnership with Benilde and UIR with auxiliary support from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
For more information about the two institutions, visit benilde.edu.ph and uir.ac.ma.