A significant step toward academic internationalization and global engagement was realized as Divine Word College of Calapan (DWCC) formally entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Fu Jen Catholic University (FJCU) in Taiwan. The ceremonial signing, held on June 11, 2025, during DWCC’s benchmarking visit to the FJCU campus, marks a new chapter of collaborative ventures rooted in shared Catholic values and a deep commitment to education, service, and global citizenship.

The partnership was officially sealed in the presence of top officials from both institutions during a symbolic ceremony held at FJCU. Framed by the principles of servant leadership, academic excellence, and intercultural dialogue, the MOA underscores the aspiration of both institutions to co-create opportunities that transcend borders and uplift communities.

The agreement establishes several key areas of cooperation, including:

• Faculty, student, and researcher exchange programs to foster mobility and immersion in multicultural academic environments
• Joint organization of conferences, seminars, and symposia focused on shared academic interests and global issues
• Collaborative research projects, particularly in fields aligned with the institutions’ mission-driven goals and societal needs
• Mutual sharing of educational resources, such as teaching materials, publications, and library access
• Continuous dialogue through regular consultations, monitoring of outcomes, and evaluation of initiatives to ensure long-term sustainability
• Automatic renewal of the MOA every five years, unless either party initiates a formal termination

The DWCC delegation, representing the institution’s leadership and commitment to internationalization, was led by:

• Renato A. Tampol, SVD, PhD – President
• Jerome A. Ormita, SVD, LPT – Vice President for Finance
• Vicente D. Castro, Jr., SVD – Vice President for Administration
• Renato L. Malbog, SVD – School Chaplain
• Bernardo Collera, SVD, RGC – Basic Education Campus Director
• Claudette G. Sim, MBA – Internationalization and External Linkages Officer

The FJCU hosting team, which warmly welcomed DWCC to their academic home, was headed by:

• Francis Yi-Chen Lan – President
• Yaonan Lin – Dean, International Education
• Ming-Chih Chen – Dean, Research and Development
• Prof. Wei-Min Liu – Deputy Dean, International Education
• Prof. Sonja Huang – Director, International Student Center
• Miao-Ju Chwo – Director, Service-Learning Center
• Jijimon Alakkalam Joseph, SVD – Director, SVD Mission Office
• Prof. Din-Yuang Huang – Faculty Development and Instructional Resources

During the ceremony, both institutions expressed deep enthusiasm for the partnership.

Fr. Renato A. Tampol, SVD, PhD, President of DWCC, expressed gratitude to the officials of FJCU for their openness to collaboration. He emphasized the importance of global engagement, highlighting DWCC’s growth despite its provincial location and the challenges brought by the pandemic. Citing successful partnerships with other Philippine universities and international on-the-job training programs, he affirmed DWCC’s readiness for internationalization.

He also shared DWCC’s commitment to community engagement through its Center for Inclusive Education for Indigenous Peoples, particularly the Mangyans of Mindoro. Through active scholarship and livelihood training programs, DWCC aligns its mission with inclusive and socially responsive education.

Fr. Tampol concluded by affirming that this initial meeting marks a meaningful step toward mutual cooperation and resource sharing, aiming to advance both institutions’ missions in education and service.

In his welcome remarks, FJCU President Prof. Francis Yi-Chen Lan emphasized the vital role of Catholic higher education in addressing global challenges through meaningful partnerships. “We are honored to collaborate with DWCC in shaping students who will serve not only their local communities but also the global common good,” he noted. He also highlighted the significance of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) missionary presence at FJCU, reinforcing the university’s commitment to intercultural dialogue, service, and faith-driven education—principles that closely align with DWCC’s own mission.

The visit also featured meaningful dialogues with key FJCU offices, including those focused on international education, the international student center, research and development, faculty development and instructional support, and service-learning. These engagements are expected to lay the groundwork for future collaborative programs and initiatives under the newly established MOA.

This partnership holds special meaning, as both DWCC and FJCU belong to the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) academic network—united by a shared spiritual and educational mission. As DWCC strengthens its global linkages in line with institutional goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the alliance with FJCU affirms its expanding role in international collaboration. More than a formal agreement, the DWCC-FJCU partnership represents a shared journey—rooted in faith, shaped by learning, and committed to forming servant-leaders.