Language training agreement inked

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) has formally signed an agreement with the Philippine Science High School System (PSHSS) for a language training program that will give its students an edge in pursuing undergraduate studies in science, technology and engineering in Taiwan.

In a ceremony held recently at the Manila Peninsula, MECO chairman Angelito Banayo and PSHSS executive director Lilia Habacon signed the memorandum of agreement that would teach the Mandarin language to PSHSS students starting at Grade 10. 

At the end of this school year, the top students will go on a two-week internship program in a Taiwanese company or research facility specializing in technological innovation, agriculture, fisheries, engineering, robotics, artificial intelligence, environmental studies and renewable/new energy. This will help the students determine the direction of their two-year science research, which they will pursue in their specialization years program (Grades 11-12).

Introductory Mandarin classes began at the PSHS main campus in August among the 10th graders who chose the subject as this school year’s elective, in conjunction with the Mango International Language Tutorial Centre, the Philippine subsidiary of a Taipei-based learning center.