BAGUIO CITY (PIA) --  Nursing students  in a university  in Baguio City will have the opportunity to  broaden their perspectives and be exposed to the standards in the global landscape of health and health care system.

This is following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between  the University of Baguio (UB) and Insight Global Health, USA  last January 31  at the UB Centennial Hall.

The MOU  for a three -year partnership aims to strengthen the collaboration between the two organizations  to equip  the student- nurses  with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their future careers, foster mutual understanding, and outline the terms of partnership for the successful implementation of joint initiatives aimed at preparing nurses for overseas deployment.
 
UB School of Nursing Dean Helen Alalag said under the MOU, the US company will fund a world-class laboratory and help train student nurses through online mode. A lecturer from the US will train students online, and a trained faculty member will assist the students in the use of laboratory equipment.

"We want to be more competent. Some of the equipment that are not available in our country, they will be allowing us. They will provide for our world class laboratory, and at the same time, the curriculum itself  is for free," she said.
 
Alalag  said this academic partnership enables  the enhancement of the nursing curriculum, and provides  skills development training for faculty members as well.
 
UB Vice President for Administration Atty. Romel Ayson said the MOU signing is another significant milestone for the university in fostering collaboration, understanding, and shared goals with partners.
 
"Internationalization is among UB's cornerstone to educate individuals and empower individuals in the global community reflect our collectives commitment to diversity, promoting mutual respect, and harnessing the power of collaboration to address the challenges and opportunities that transcend national borders," Ayson said.

Both parties aspire that the collaboration will yield transformative results,  and create a profound impact on the academic landscape, and the healthcare system as well.

"As much as we are looking forward to having nurses build careers and build lives in the United States, it is vitally important to us that we take care of our partners here in the Philippines,  and here at the University of Baguio," Insight Global Health, USA Corporate Executive Officer Bert Bean stated.

After the nursing alumni have worked at least one to two years e in the Philippines, the US company is open to helping them look for a job immersion abroad.
  
 Department of Migrant Workers Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan  who witnessed  the MOU signing, expressed the department's support for the said initiative.
 
Caunan said that this is a significant milestone in their continuous endeavor to champion the welfare and professional growth of Filipino nurses.
 
"By ensuring our nurses are globally competitive, it embodies the principles we cherish: fairness, respect, and the pursuit of excellence, ensuring that our nurses are not merely contributors to global healthcare, but also ambassadors of our nation," Caunan said. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)