UE, Thailand's Maejo University establish ties

MANILA, Philippines - The University of the East formally established ties with Maejo University (MJU) of Chiang Mai in the Kingdom of Thailand, as UE hosted a delegation led by the MJU president, Dr. Chamnian Yosraj, last Oct. 11 and 13 for a ceremonial signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two universities.

The MOU, signed by UE president Dr. Ester Garcia and Dr. Yosraj, officially establishes relations and cooperation between the two universities in the areas of exchange of faculty and/or staff, exchange of students and cultural performers, joint research and publications, joint holding of scientific and academic conferences, exchange of academic materials and other information, and special short-term academic programs.

In a reception program held at the UE Caloocan Gym, student performers of MJU showcased their cultural heritage by performing Fon Pi Ti (Ceremonial Dance), Fon Tang Wai (Prayer for Forgiveness Dance) and Rabam Sat-Chatree (Dance of the Drum Rhythm). UE students returned the favor by performing various Filipino national dances such as Putong, Lawiswis Kawayan, Tinikling and Pandanggo sa Ilaw, while the internationally acclaimed UE Chorale serenaded the guests with traditional Filipino songs. The delegation toured the UE Caloocan campus, and also visited the National Arts Museum, Luneta Park and the SM Mall of Asia.

As an initial result of this partnership, nine Tourism and Hotel and Restaurant Management students of the UE College of Arts and Sciences-Caloocan left the country for an on-the-job training and immersion at Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Nov. 3, 2011. The students are staying in Thailand for 45 days. Another group is slated to leave in the summer of 2012.