Benilde and UPNVJ Seal Partnership for Collaboration and Exchange
Benilde and UPNVJ Seal Partnership for Collaboration and Exchange
26 July 2024
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jakarta (UPNVJ) at the Linkages Room at The Atrium@Benilde Campus on July 23, 2024. Present during the ceremonial signing of the MOU were Benilde President Br. Edmundo “Dodo” Fernandez FSC, Benilde Chancellor Mr. Benhur Ong, UPNVJ Office of International Affairs Director Dr. Bambang Susanto, Benilde School of Diplomacy and Governance (SDG) Dean Dr. Gary Ador Dionisio, Benilde Governance and Public Affairs Program Chair Ms. Maricel Fernandez, Benilde Diplomacy and International Affairs Program OIC-Chair Ms. Shiela Mae Sabalburo, and Benilde Center for External Linkages Director Mr. Oscar Sherlo Reyes.
The ceremonial signing was held to map out the framework for collaborations over the next five years. In this partnership, both institutions commit to:
- Exchange programs for students, professors, academic, and administrative staff.
- Cooperative research and joint project development for external funding support.
- Exchange of scientific and informational materials of mutual interest.
- Development and/or delivery of courses, including online courses.
- Joint teaching or supervision of students.
- Joint seminars, conferences, and academic meetings.
- Development of experiential education abroad programs, including shorter summer abroad and field study programs, internships, and practical experiences.
- Course micro-credentialing.
- Development of global network learning (GNL).
- Collaborative online international learning (COIL) courses and experiences.
- Other forms of cooperation that the two institutions may jointly amend upon.
Dr. Susanto put forward the idea of developing a joint or double degree program. “UPNVJ is focusing on internationalization through global partnerships, which is why we are partnering with Benilde. We hope this collaboration will facilitate student mobility between our institutions,” he said. Dr. Susanto also looks forward to discussions, workshops, seminars, and other international collaborations.
Br. Dodo expressed his appreciation to UPNVJ for partnering with Benilde. “Both institutions share a lot of goals and values in common, such as excellent education for all and for national development,” he commented. UPNVJ is a prominent private university in Jakarta, Indonesia, offering a range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The university emphasizes practical, holistic learning to prepare students for diverse careers, similar to Benilde’s commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and a supportive learning environment.
This partnership came to fruition when the Benilde delegation made a visit to UPNVJ during the Jakarta Model United Nations in Oct 2023. During the visit, several meetings were held to explore the possibility of the partnership. Prior to this partnership, Benilde’s School of Diplomacy and Governance and UPNVJ had been collaborating since 2022, focusing on comparative studies between Indonesia and the Philippines in aspects of local politics and personal data protection. In 2023, the comparative study expanded to examine the relationship between civil society and government in the context of implementing sharia law in Indonesia and the Philippines.
Following the ceremonial signing, Dr. Susanto met with Dean Dr. Ador Dionisio, Ms. Fernandez, and Mr. Reyes to outline specific activities for immediate implementation.
For more information on Benilde’s undergraduate programs, contact us at (63) 2 8230 5100 local 1801 or admissions@benilde.edu.ph. You may also visit our website at www.benilde.edu.ph.
