Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna and Sunway University, Malaysia collaborate for Faculty Mobility and Development
Two higher education institutions collaborate for internationalization of teaching and learning through faculty mobility. Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna appointed Dr. Ronald Delos Reyes, faculty member and researcher from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Health Sciences for a 2-week engagement at Sunway University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from May 2 to 14, 2024.
Assistant Vice-President for External Relations and Global Linkages Prof. James Ronald O. Mesina explained that “faculty mobility is one of the core priorities under Mapúa MCL’s internationalization activities. By sending faculty members to an exchange activity for teaching in a university, he or she carries along his expertise as a teacher to another venue, which is a global classroom. In turn, when the Instructor returns, he or she brings home a rich experience and fresh insights that were obtained from the exchange experience. Even the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) International Affairs Service highlights the importance of internationalization in higher education with the core purpose of enriching the curriculum down to teaching, learning and research”.
The Office for External Relations and Global Linkages (OERGL), in collaboration with the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of Health Sciences (CHS), and Mapúa University’s Office of the Partnership Executive Director (OPED) did the coordination activities with Sunway University to plan out Dr. Delos Reyes’ 2-week engagement.
Part of his activities during the faculty mobility engagement are the following:
- Facilitation of Physics courses in collaboration with Dr. Jeevanithya Krishnan, Senior Teaching Fellow at the Centre for American Education; Materials Science courses in collaboration with Prof. Mohammad Khalid of the School of Engineering and Technology. Prof. Khalid also heads the newly established Research Entity, the Sunway Centre for Electrochemical Energy and Sustainable Technology (SCEEST).
- Discussions and interview with student staffers of The Americana, the official publication of Sunway’s School of American Education.
- Collaboration with Sunway Distinguished Professor and Head of the Centre for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Utilisation Professor Mohamed Kheireddine Aroua. During the meeting, potential research activities were discussed.
- Tour of the School of Engineering facilities with Ir Dr Savier Kong Zong Yang and Dr Richard Wong Teck Ken.
- Presentation of research work from the industry and academe to upperclass chemical engineering students under Ir Dr Savier Kong Zong Yang that illustrated applications of engineering principles.
- Discussions with Dr. Tan Kim Han about MXene-based advance materials synthesis and various applications; with graduate student Zaed presenting on MXene on water purification; with Dr. Norulsamani presenting Mxene in fuel cell applications; and Dr. Jayesh on advanced materials energy storage.
The use of the MXene produced by the Research Centre for Nano-Materials and Energy Technology (RCNMET) under Prof. Saidur Rahman, Distinguished Research Professor, will be the starting point for further collaboration through the integrative courses (Student Thesis, Capstone Project) of the Civil Engineering program of MITL.
After the faculty mobility experience, Dr. Delos Reyes shared that “This initial faculty mobility tour of residency, with the exception of a few “Murphy’s Law” moments, was perfectly executed. The two-week format is just right for this type of engagement as it accommodates the learning curve of the exchange faculty as well as the host institution. It is not too short that the participant will always be in a rush to attend a lot of activities within the given time. Also it is not too long that fatigue of the weary traveler sets in and thoughts turn to home”.
OERGL led in the design of the 2-week engagement with support and cooperation from Sunway’s School of American Education Dean, Assoc. Prof. Ts. Dr. -Ing Sim, Tze Ying. Dr. Delos Reyes added, “The itinerary and pacing was ideal because there was time to settle in, digest and reflect on the day to day activities. It incorporated spaces for informal, unplanned encounters and independent exploration. At a deeper level this makes it a more meaningful and productive experience for the participant. I have always believed that people across any spectrum have more things in common than differences.”
On future collaboration between Mapúa and MCL, Dr. Delos Reyes described it as promising. “I saw and heard the same concerns, dreams, aspirations, and hopes which are the very foundations of a successful partnership and collaboration. I believe that the strengths of both institutions, MMCL and Sunway University, can fill in each other’s gaps and areas for development. This can serve as an impetus for others from both sides to have a chance to participate in this program. My heartfelt gratitude for allowing me to serve MMCL in this endeavor”.
For OERGL, Prof. Mesina is likewise optimistic about the partnership with Sunway stressing that this engagement is made possible through Cintana Education, an alliance of universities that Mapúa MCL is a member. In the future, more faculty and student exchange activities are set to further globalize Mapúa MCL’s teaching, learning, and research.
