By Kairos Rye A. Jalando-on, The Centralian Link Intern

CPU President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy and Vice President Xu Kaixuan shake hands after signing the Memorandum of Agreement between Central Philippine University and Henan Vocational University of Science and Technology.

Last January 22, 2026, CPU hosted representatives of Henan Vocational University of Science and Technology for the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the two universities. Dr. Xu Kaixuan, Vice President of HNVUST, and Prof. Chang Liu, Deputy Director of HNVSUT’s International Cooperation Exchange Office, were present as the representatives of HNVUST.

The ceremony began with some words of welcome from Asst. Prof. Lesley Joy Dignadice, Director of the Local and International Linkages Affiliations Center (LILAC), and the opening prayer was led by Dr. Merle L. Junsay, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs.

President Dagohoy then delivered his opening message, remarking that HNVUST has already sent 81 students to CPU and that Vice President Xu is an alumnus of our university. He also added that this MOA signing with HNVUST is part of the University’s aggressive push for internationalization and that the university remains committed to EXCEL – Exemplary Christian Education for Life.

Afterwards, the MOA signing proper started in earnest. Dr. Althea U. Denuevo, Acting Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, read the rationale of the MOA, which states, “This MOA Signing Ceremony is done to document the collaborative relationship between Central Philippine University, headed by President Dr. Ernest Howard Dagohoy, and Henan Vocational University of Science and Technology, represented by its Vice President, Dr. Xu Kaixuan.”

Attendees of the signing ceremony pose for a photo opportunity.

“This signifies the beginning of a collaborative journey. With the aim of working together toward a common and shared goal, CPU will provide quality and excellent academic education to the international students… specifically the Doctor of Education major in Guidance and Counselling… This international collaboration is proof that language or nationality is not a barrier to connect in pursuit of Exemplary Christian Education for Life (EXCEL).”

Subsequently, Dr. Denuevo also read the purpose and the academic area of the MOA on the:

“Offering of the DOCTOR OF EDUCATION, Major in Guidance and Counseling.”

“Party A (Henan Vocational University of Science and Technology) shall recruit students, and Party B (Central Philippine University) will decide on the admission of students to enroll in the specific field of cooperation…”

After reading the specific parameters of the memorandum of agreement, President Dagohoy and Vice President Xu then proceeded to sign the document, guided by CPU’s legal officer, Atty. Ina Noelene Bernales, solidifying the agreement between the two institutions.

Afterwards, Vice President Xu then delivered a message of commitment, in which he expressed that as a partner of CPU, HNVUST will “take this collaboration seriously and ensure it is fully implemented.” He added that he highly values this partnership with CPU and that he hopes to “deepen and broaden our cooperation based on mutual trust and efficient collaboration so that both sides can achieve better results.”

To conclude the program, President Dagohoy, Acting Vice President Junsay, Vice President Xu, and Deputy Director Chang exchanged tokens of appreciation.

Henan Vocational University of Science and Technology (HNVUST) is one of the first non-profit private undergraduate vocational universities in China, approved by the Ministry of Education. Founded in 1981, the university covers more than 2,200 mu (approximately 147 hectares). It has more than 24,000 full-time students. Situated along the picturesque Shaying River, the campus offers a beautiful environment where nature and culture harmoniously blend. It is guided by the motto “Integrity, Broad Knowledge, Pragmatism, and Innovation.”