By Mikee Natinga Norico
CPU officials, College of Nursing faculty members, and delegates from Burapha University, Thailand, gather for a group photo during the courtesy call held at the BOT Conference Room as part of the College of Nursing’s International Mobility Program.
Central Philippine University (CPU) welcomed delegates from Burapha University, Thailand, during a courtesy call held at the BOT Conference Room on July 21, 2026, as part of the College of Nursing’s (CON) International Mobility Program, which aims to strengthen global collaboration and promote transcultural nursing education.
University President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy, together with Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Merle L. Junsay, College of Nursing Dean Assoc. Prof. Melba C. Sale, and Director of the Local and International Linkages and Affiliations Center (LILAC) Asst. Prof. Lesley Joy L. Dignadice, welcomed the delegation composed of seven students and two faculty members from Burapha University.
The visit formed part of the International Mobility Program, an exchange initiative designed to provide students and faculty members with international exposure and opportunities to engage in transcultural nursing practices. The Burapha University delegates stayed at CPU from July 20 to 24, 2026, participating in academic, clinical, and cultural activities organized by the College of Nursing.
The five-day program began on July 20 with an orientation and courtesy call at the BOT Conference Room, followed by discussions on maternal, child, and medical-surgical nursing in the Philippine setting. The succeeding sessions focused on nursing care for the elderly, medical-surgical nursing practices, and disaster nursing in the Philippine setting, emphasizing the role of nursing education in advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health and Well-being), 4 (Quality Education), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
The delegates also participated in discussions on cultural patterns of health beliefs and healthcare models, along with cultural sharing activities that promoted greater appreciation of Filipino and Thai traditions and perspectives in healthcare.
As part of their academic and clinical exposure, the delegates visited the KABALAKA Reproductive Health Center and Birthing Center to observe primary healthcare services and birthing practices. They also witnessed simulation-based learning activities conducted by CPU nursing students at the skills laboratory, featuring the APOLLO Team’s medical-surgical nursing simulations and the LUCINA Team’s labor and delivery simulations.
Beyond academic engagements, the exchange program included educational tours around Iloilo City, allowing the delegates to explore its cultural heritage. They also attended a cultural presentation by the College of Nursing Cultural Dance Group, providing them with an opportunity to experience Filipino traditions and hospitality.
This visit marked the third batch of faculty and student exchanges under the mobility program since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CPU and Burapha University. As part of the continuing partnership, faculty members from the CPU College of Nursing are scheduled to visit Burapha University next year to further strengthen academic collaboration and exchange opportunities.
The courtesy call also recognized the achievements of the APOLLO and LUCINA Teams of the CPU College of Nursing, which placed as 1st Runner-up and 5th Runner-up, respectively, during the SIMNEX Olympiad 2026: The 1st International Simulation-Based Learning Competition held at Burapha University in Thailand.
The international mobility initiative reflects CPU’s continuing commitment to fostering global partnerships, advancing simulation-based nursing education, and preparing future healthcare professionals through meaningful academic and cultural exchanges.