CEBU, Philippines - The University of San Jose-Recoletos formally joined the count of universities in Cebu integrating French language classes in their curriculum this coming academic year. Present to sign the agreement last May 26 were Rev. Fr. Enrico Peter Silab, OAR, President of the University of San Jose- Recoletos and Louis Thevenin, Director of the Alliance Française de Cebu. The eventful affair was witnessed by distinguished guests and faculty: Rev. Fr. Edwin Mamac, OAR (Vice President for Academics) and Dr. Edgar Detoya, CPA (Dean College of Commerce) for the University of San Jose Recoletos; and Ms. Alice Gauny (Deputy Director) and Ms. Mary Ann Farrugia (Project Head) for the Alliance Française de Cebu.
The signed agreement will see the two bodies work collaboratively in introducing the French language to the Tourism and Hospitality Management Department of the USJ-R and more so, the practical benefits that can be drawn from the said course. As stipulated, a design for a French language curriculum will be customized by Alliance Française de Cebu especially for the needs of the university’s Hotel and Restaurant Management students. This will be the first time for Alliance Française de Cebu to enter into such an agreement with the University of San Jose- Recoletos (following that with University of San Carlos) but though new, it is a promising one. This new understanding is bound to bring mutual benefits for the two parties involved. It will promote French influence in the country as mission of Alliance Française de Cebu and give the University of San Jose- Recoletos a guaranteed upper hand in the academe.