Cagayan State University opened its BS Biology program leading to Medicine to foreign students last January 2008. There are 27 enrolled students who are distributed in two (2) sections. The classes are composed of 16 Indians, 4 Nepalese, 2 Kenyan, 1 Nigerian, 1 Congolese and 3 Pakistanis. Another group of foreign students from India and Africa will be arriving this April in time for the summer class. These students are placed in an exclusive program for 5 years and 1 semester. Upon graduation from Medicine, they will go back to their respective countries and serve their fellow citizens.

The foreign students program is one of the many steps that the University is utilizing in promoting its international linkages. CSU has affiliations with the University of Kerala in India, Wuhan College of Industrial Technology in China and Kosin University in South Korea. Opening the University’s doors to foreign students is an excellent way of participating in the global trend of the internalization of Philippine higher education. This task is a hefty confirmation of the readiness of the University to market the competence of its instruction and its commitment in upholding quality education.

The impressive passing rates in the national board exams of the CSU graduates for the past years are worthy indications of the proficiency of the University’s faculty rosters.

The foreign students program posts a valuable challenge to the University’s expertise in bridging cultural diversities in instruction. The professors are primed to adjust their teaching methods to the learning needs of each student considering their various religious affiliation and cultural background. Indeed, a multi-cultural class is a lofty mission to test the professional maturity and adeptness of the teachers and the entire University as well. The students are given prompt assistance by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Lina Garan. The students are very appreciative of the efforts of their professors, claiming that they are given the best teachers while they admire too the simplicity and gentleness of the Filipinos. They are housed in private dormitories with good amenities and safe environment.

The Office of the Foreign Students Affairs together with the Office of the President assists the foreign students in their orientation program, selection of dormitories, school fees, uniform, renewal of passport and extension of visa. The students themselves have been very cooperative and friendly. Their soaring sense of responsibility, decisiveness and focus make them live in harmony with the CSU community.

Dr. Roger Perez has recently approved the opening of other programs to foreign students through a non-exclusive scheme. This means that CSU will be offering all other courses to various foreigners who will be attending the regular classes with the Filipino students. Soon, the teachers will be encountering more students coming from multi-cultural background across the world. The University policy of open admission-selective retention will similarly be observed, making this venture an immense challenge for our curricula developers as well. One valuable trait inherent in this endeavor is to appreciate a dynamic exchange of culture. This will be one motivating factor to harness the students’ capabilities at a desired level and to prepare our Filipino youth to become skilled and globally competent.

It is now becoming a regular scenario in the University to rub elbows with foreigners. A different tone yet delightful to all.