By Cyrus A. Natividad

Dr. Necil C. Magno (5th from left) Philippine delegate to the Griffith University partnership discussion with other FAFQ member delegates headed by Mr. & Mrs. Mauro Somodio and counterpart Griffith -Australia delegates. The Partnership discussion centered on CPU and Griffith University partnership.

In a letter dated March 31, 2022, Dr. Florence P. Bogacia CPU VP for Administration and Finance (OIC Office of the President) at that time, granted a request of Dr. Necil C. Magno to be allowed to hold her classes online from Australia and at the same time hold folk-dance clinics for the Filipino-Australian community in Brisbane.

Dr. Magno, CPU BPED Coordinator was accompanied Mr. Mauro Somodio, CPU Delegation Group Leader and Founding President- Filipino-Australian Foundation of Queensland Inc. (FAFQ Inc.), Mrs. Cecilia J. Somodio, Current FAFQ Inc. President, Engr Jay Alegata, Business Architect, Queensland Health (former SE Dept Head of CPU College of Engineering) and Ms. Macela May Somodio, Clinical Nurse, Queensland Health.

The delegation of Mr. Somodio met with Griffith University delegates at Mount Gravatt campus to discuss on building a strong and sustainable relationship between CPU and Griffith University. The meeting was facilitated by Dr. Ben Fenton-Smith, Director, International AEL Dean. The points of discussion were: Overview of Griffith University’s Arts, Education and Law Faculty; Overview of Central Philippine University, and Overview of Filipino-Australian Foundation of Queensland Inc.

The discussion also included CPU-EPS collaborations to date and Areas of Interest including student mobility and New Colombo Plan (NCP); Co-development of sustainable Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects to offer such – Engagement Opportunities for students and lecturers from geographically distant locations in innovative, multicultural and collaborative learning experience; focus on pre-service teachers’ capacity to work in cross-cultural environments.

The Filipino-Australian Foundation of Queensland Inc. has been a benefactor of work-student scholars in the Philippines, particularly in Central Philippine University. Dr. Necil Capiñanes Magno, EdD is a FAFQ Scholar and multi-awarded faculty of CPU.