Mabalacat City College hosted the Fulbright Roadshow Pampanga 2023 on 16 October 2023, attracting students, educators, and professionals from Pampanga and other cities. The event aimed to highlight the opportunities available to Filipino scholars through the Fulbright Program.
The Fulbright Philippines, managed by the Philippine-American Foundation, is the world's oldest Fulbright Commission. It administers and funds scholarship exchanges between the United States and the Philippines, from undergraduate, graduate studies, research, fellowships, and cultural understanding. Notably, many key officials in both local and national positions within the Philippine Government are Fulbright scholars.
MCC Vice President for Global Relations, Opportunities, and Workforce Development Mr. Raymond John Vergara emphasized the importance of pursuing further studies abroad and underscored the value of exposing faculty and students to the educational standards of global higher educational institutions in his opening remarks. He also expressed gratitude to Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) Program Officer Milagros R. Tan, PAEF Program Assistant Mr. Justin Dominique Ropido and Fulbright for extending Fulbright scholarship opportunities to local institutions like Mabalacat City College.
Ms. Tan introduced various Fulbright scholarships, including the prestigious Fulbright Foreign Student Program, which offers graduate studies in the United States, providing Filipino scholars with international academic exposure. She also highlighted the Fulbright Advanced Research Visiting Scholar Program, offering short-term research opportunities, and the Fulbright Distinguished Award for International Teachers, designed for educators seeking impactful research experiences to enhance their teaching.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of a distinguished alumna of the Fulbright Foreign Student Program Dr. Precy Magtoto. She shared her journey as Fulbright scholar, recounting her doctoral dissertation research experience at Iowa State University. There was also an open forum where attendees were able to direct their concerns with Ms. Milagros R. Tan and Dr. Precy Magtoto, gaining valuable insights into the Fulbright scholarship application process.
Diverse audience including Deans, faculty members, students, and research departments from Mabalacat City College, as well as representatives from other educational institutions such as Angeles University Foundation, Westfields International School, Pampanga State Agricultural State University, and Holy Angel University participated in the event.
Mabalacat City College and Fulbright Philippines are collaborating to support and guide aspiring scholars, with discussions underway for grant opportunities. MCC faculty, students, and personnel interested in learning more about Fulbright scholarships and the application process are encouraged to visit the Institutional Advancement Office and the Linkages and International Affairs Office.
