Benguet State University’s College of Nursing (CN) deepened its international connections with visits of faculty members from Odisee University College in Belgium and the University of Huelva in Spain.

Two faculty members from Odisee University College in Belgium, Kathy Pletinckx and Sabriem de Prez, spent a week at CN from February 16-23, 2025. Erika Martinez Gonzalez, a nursing staff member from the University of Huelva, Spain, also visited on February 14, 2025.

𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗴𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Pletinckx, program coordinator for the Bachelor of Nursing, and de Prez, a lecturer and internship coordinator, engaged in various activities, including campus tours, academic discussions, and visits to affiliated hospitals and rural health units.

Their itinerary included discussions on a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), potential research collaborations, and faculty and student mobility programs. They also held learning engagement sessions with CN students and faculty and visited hospitals in Baguio and Benguet, as well as rural health units.

It is anticipated that junior and senior nursing students from Odisee University College will participate in the BSU International Nursing Mobility Program by 2026, following the completion of the MOA signing.

The visiting faculty expressed their heartfelt gratitude to BSU and its affiliating agencies for their warm hospitality, guidance, and support throughout their stay. They commended the CN personnel for their efforts in facilitating a meaningful exchange and supporting international connections.

𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲

Gonzalez from the University of Huelva shared insights into Spanish culture and nursing opportunities in Spain during an engagement session with CN students and faculty.

Gonzalez delivered an insightful presentation, sharing meaningful information about Spanish culture, key events, and notable traditions associated with her university and country. She also highlighted the professional opportunities and benefits available to those who pursue nursing careers in Spain.

Following her talk, an open forum allowed students and faculty to raise questions, which Gonzalez enthusiastically addressed. Afterward, she visited the CN where she had the opportunity to meet and interact with both faculty members and students.

CN Dean Mark U. Gay-as explained that this engagement with the University of Huelva aimed to enhance the college’s internationalization program by building connections with universities worldwide that offer nursing programs. Gay-as emphasized the importance of internationalization initiatives, citing it as a key recommendation from the recent AACUP survey for the college’s Phase 2, Level 4 accreditation.

Both delegates from Belgium and Spain were welcomed by BSU President Kenneth A. Laruan and were hosted for dinner by the IRO where they were made to experience the Cordillera culture through cultural dances.//𝘑𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘯 𝘚. 𝘌𝘴𝘤𝘰 (𝘊𝘕 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳)