Mabalacat City College (MCC) participated in the China-ASEAN Education Cooperation Week 2023, which took place in Guiyang, China. The college president Dr. Michelle Aguilar-Ong, is a member of the Philippine delegation comprising seven public institutions, including the country's premier state university, and seven private universities and colleges. MCC was the sole local college participant, and the delegation was led by J. Prospero de Vera, the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
During the opening ceremony on August 29, Chairperson de Vera emphasized the transformative impact of technology on the educational landscape. He stressed the need to embrace digital platforms to enhance connectivity and foster collaboration between ASEAN countries and China. Leaders from the Ministry of Education of China and other ASEAN nations delivered speeches expressing their commitment to the theme of "New Vision for Education Cooperation, Common Prosperity for Belt and Road."
On August 30, President Ong signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Shijiazhuang Institute of Railway Technology (SIRT) to support MCC's railway workforce development program. This collaboration followed the recent groundbreaking ceremony held in July for a training facility at MCC's Dapdap campus, which was funded by the local government unit. The Embassy of the Philippines in China, led by Consul General Flerida Ann Camille Mayo, pledged its full support to this mission.
In addition, the College has its own booth at the Exhibit Area where students from more than 30 universities and colleges in the Guangzhou Province are expected to visit.
This mission is coordinated by CHED-International Affairs Service, under the leadership of Atty Lily Frieda Macabangun Milla. The Phihua team, an official Chinese cooperation group, has graciously extended their assistance for this event.
