NVSU Dance Troupe highlights trip to Maejo University
The 39-man Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) delegation, the biggest group ever sent by the University, attends the 75th Anniversary celebration of the Maejo University (MJU) at Chiangmai, Thailand from December 6-11, 2008. Headed by Dr. Marilou Gilo-Abon, University President, with the VP for Administration, VP for Business Affairs and other university officials, faculty members and student leaders, the group also included the NVSU Dance Troupe, which was also invited to perform during the anniversary.
To further strengthen the collaboration of the University with MJU since the signing of the Memorandum Of Agreement (MOA) in 2005, NVSU also had the opportunity to attend different activities related to the anniversary. In keeping with the earlier MOA, two faculty members are presently enjoying scholarships for their graduate studies in MJU, while a team of trainees has undergone a 3-week training on Landscape Architecture in May 2008.
As provided by the sub-agreement in the same pact on cultural exchange program between the Office of Student Affairs of both institutions, the NVSU Dance Troupe was invited to perform. The troupe had four performances with different audiences in various venues, thus setting the first International performance record of the group since it was formally established only in 2006. Among the occasions are the homecoming of the MJU Alumni, conference of University Presidents of Thailand and the MJU Anniversary night with the troupe asthe main performer.
Incidentally, President Abon has also formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok in Bangkok, Thailand on December 8, 2008, establishing exchange programs on faculty & staff, students, cultural programs, research and academics. An initial invitation was also extended to the dance troupe to perform at the Rajamangala University in 2009.
Because of the political unrest which struck the capital city of Thailand, particularly the closure of the Suvarnabhumi Airport until December 4, 2008, the group nearly failed to show up during the celebration as it was originally scheduled to leave on December 2. After some days’ deferral of flights, the delegation left Manila on December 5 andarrived in Bangkok just a few hours after the full-operation of the airport.
By Mark Preston S. Lopez
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