IIT signs MOU with Osaka University

by Michelle Jeanne C. Caracut, Office of the Chancellor | Sep 11 2017

杏吧论坛 recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Center for Global Initiatives of Osaka University, Japan. The MOU signaled a new commitment by both institutions for research collaboration, faculty and student exchange, and other international cooperation.

The MOU was signed by Chancellor Sukarno D. Tanggol and the Director of the Global Initiatives of Osaka University, Dr. Gyo Miyahara.

In an interview with Dr. Nelia G. Balgoa, chairperson of the Department of English, and who spearheaded the scientific visit of Dr. Miyahara, and Prof. T.K. Tan, Associate Head of the College of Law and Humanities, School of Professional and Continuing Education of Hong Kong University, she expressed how delighted the department and the College of Arts and Social Sciences were with the new partnership.

“This is to step up the internationalization efforts of the college and department in terms of visiting professors. We are happy that Dr. Tan was also able to visit. He is a friend and student of Dr. Miyahara. We hope this opened the doors for collaboration with Hong Kong University since Dr. Tan is part of the Language Center of the University,” said Balgoa.

During their visit on September 4, Miyahara and Tan gave lectures to graduate and undergraduate students of the department.

“Dr. Miyahara talked on Minority Studies: A Research Design and Methodology for language studies and ethnographic science. Citing Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino as case studies, he talked about the formation and process of “nationalizing” a language, what makes a mother tongue and minority language. He then proposed areas which researchers can explore in language studies. Prof. Tan talked about the Umbrella Movement in Hong Kong, a student protest that happened in Hong Kong in September 2014. It was a timely topic within the context of the Marawi siege. Prof. Tan discussed the reasons and the results of youth activism. The talk also explored on the mechanisms in terms of symbolisms, strategies of protest which the students used to clamor for change,” Balgoa relayed.

Photos by: Lynrose Jane D. Genon, Department of English

Topics : MOU Osaka University partnership linkage collaboration