In a historic stride toward strengthening international academic and cultural ties, Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” Malapitan and Congressman Oscar “Oca” Malapitan led a delegation from Caloocan City on an official visit to Huaqiao University in Xiamen City, China, from November 10–12, 2024. Accompanying the Mayor were distinguished representatives from the University of Caloocan City (UCC), led by University President Dr. Marilyn T. De Jesus, along with officers from the Caloocan City Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce. The delegation received a warm welcome from Huaqiao University's Vice President, Mr. Wang Xiuyong.

The visit emphasized the expanding collaboration between UCC and Huaqiao University, particularly in their Bachelor of Secondary Education major in English with additional chinese language and pedagogy courses. Huaqiao University commended UCC students for their achievements in the Chinese Language program and presented various initiatives to further enrich this dynamic partnership.

During their visit, the delegation toured multiple facilities at Huaqiao University, benchmarking standards and gathering insights for program development within UCC’s College of Engineering. This provided valuable exposure to the cutting-edge resources and innovations at Huaqiao University, enhancing UCC’s vision for future academic advancements.

This visit underscores Caloocan City’s commitment to elevating its educational landscape by providing students with international learning opportunities and expanding the city's academic horizons. Mayor Malapitan highlighted the importance of these partnerships, stating, “Our dedication to academic excellence drives us to seek collaborations that will open doors for our students and bring global standards to Caloocan’s educational programs.”

Delegation Members:

The Caloocan City delegation included Mayor Dale Gonzalo “Along” R. Malapitan, Congressman Oscar G. Malapitan, Councilor Jose Lorenzo T. Almeda, Councilor Ray Christopher C. Adalem, University President Dr. Marilyn T. De Jesus, Dr. Wenald H. Lopez, Atty. Alejandro F. Vivas II, Mr. Dennis L. Flores, and Mr. Kenneth G. Ang. 

Representatives from the Caloocan City Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce also joined this pivotal visit, including, Mr. Frank Co, Mr. Reynold Siy, Mr. Santos Tang, Mr. Hong Wenbing, Mr. Elven Uy, Mr. Theo Lester Tan, Mr. Chen Zhengcheng, and Mr. Clive Dee.

This successful engagement marks a significant step toward creating a globally competitive academic environment at UCC and reaffirms Caloocan City’s commitment to build bridges of learning, cultural exchange, and innovation.

Acknowledgment

The University of Caloocan City (UCC) extends its sincere gratitude to the Caloocan City Filipino-Chinese Chamber of Commerce for their unwavering support and commitment to our shared vision of educational advancement. With their invaluable assistance, we have established a partnership with Huaqiao University, significantly enhancing our academic programs and international reach. Their active participation in this recent visit and continued dedication to fostering educational partnerships empower us to enhance our academic offerings and explore innovative programs that elevate our students' learning experiences. We look forward to further collaboration that will not only advance our university’s goals but also strengthen the broader Caloocan community.