On August 23, 2024, the University of the Cordilleras College of Nursing (UC-CON) and Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng (Indonesian Catholic University of Saint Paul Ruteng) formalized a significant partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement underscores a shared commitment to advancing healthcare education via student and faculty exchanges, collaborative research, and joint community initiatives.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Nancy M. Flores, President of the University of the Cordilleras, and David Djerubu, S.Fil., M.A., Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng (Indonesian Catholic University of Saint Paul Ruteng), with Dr. Judith Odanee Magwilang, UC-CON Dean, serving as a key witness. Nursing students and faculty from the Indonesian university attended, showcasing the partnership’s immediate impact on academic and professional development.
After the signing, Dr. Magwilang delivered the keynote address at the International Seminar on Trends and Issues in Maternal and Child Health Education: Indonesia and the Philippines. Held at the De Lelis Faculty of Health building of Universitas Katolik Indonesia Santu Paulus Ruteng (Indonesian Catholic University of Saint Paul Ruteng), the seminar focused on innovations and challenges in maternal and child health education. The event saw active participation from nursing students, reflecting their engagement and enthusiasm in learning from regional and international experts.
In her keynote address, Dr. Magwilang discussed gender equality and its critical role in shaping maternal and child health practices in the Philippines. She highlighted the importance of empowering women through access to quality healthcare and education, which are essential for improving health outcomes for mothers and children. Dr. Magwilang also shared innovative maternal and child health practices in the Philippines, emphasizing the need for inclusive policies and community-based healthcare approaches that promote gender equality and the well-being of families. Her insights underscored UC-CON’s leadership in advancing both healthcare education and gender equality on an international platform.
