2 March 2026
Strengthening its commitment to global competitiveness and an internationalized curriculum, the Benguet State University (BSU) College of Nursing (CN) formally welcomed three international exchange students from Odisee University College, Belgium.
The delegates were introduced during the BSU Flag Raising Ceremony by College of Nursing Dean Mark U. Gay-as. The visiting students include Lotte Vanderrusten (Level 3), along with Divine Boate and DulcieShekeWa Domene Sinonke (Level 4). These students are slated to complete specified number of hours of Related Learning Experience (RLE) within the university’s partner communities and health facilities.
Following the ceremony, the students paid a courtesy call to the Office of the President, where they were received by Richard H. Kinnud, Vice President for Administration &Finance. They were joined by Bernadette C.Bagto from the Registrar’s Office to discuss the documentation and academic requirements for their stay. Afterward, the delegates and university administration gathered for a historic moment: the raising of the Belgian flag in front of the Administration Building. The morning concluded with a tour of the College of Nursing Resource Center, where the students explored the high-fidelity models and medical equipment used by BSU nursing students.
The celebration continued in the afternoon as the International Relations Office (IRO) hosted a cultural welcome at the IRO Function Hall. The event brought together College of Nursing (CN) faculty, CN student leaders, and university administrators in a spirit of camaraderie.
Doreen I. Allasiw, Deputy Director of the IRO, opened the program with warm welcoming remarks, followed by Mr. Dominador Abad, Chair of the Clinical Instruction, CN who introduced the visiting delegates and provided an overview of the growing partnership between BSU and Odisee University.
In a heartfelt segment of the program, Kinnud delivered an inspirational message on the value of international cooperation. In response, Dulcie Sheke Wa Domene Sinonke, representing the Belgian delegates, shared a message of gratitude and expressed the group’s high expectations for their clinical and cultural immersion at BSU.
The highlight of the afternoon was a cultural showcase featuring a demonstration of Arnis and the Sinagtala dance. The festivities concluded with a community line dance, joined by both the hosts and the Belgian delegates.
In his closing remarks, Dean Gay-as expressed profound optimism for the collaboration, noting that this is the second batch of students BSU has hosted from the Belgian institution. He reflected on the challenges of the past, mentioning that the first batch of exchange students was unable to complete their required hours due to the sudden onset of the global pandemic.
“During that Covid 19 crisis, the students felt a strong calling to return to Belgium to serve their own communities,” Dean Gay-as shared. “We are deeply moved that Odisee University College has chosen to return to BSU to continue this journey. It highlights a shared commitment to nursing excellence that transcends even the most difficult global challenges.”
The Dean concluded by emphasizing that the College of Nursing aims to not only sustain but continuously improve this mobility program, ensuring that both local and international students gain a truly global perspective on healthcare and community service.
This mobilization program advances the university’s commitment to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnership for the Goals).”
//Jonalyn Esco
