By Ma. Nemia C. Carcellar / October 16, 2023
CATBALOGAN CITY – Samar State University (SSU), through the Office of International Affairs (OIAs), convened an exploratory meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) Philippines via Microsoft Teams on October 16 (23). The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the potential partnership for the admission and education of Rohingya refugees at the university.
Atty. Paulito “Lito” de Jesus, Assistant Head of the Department of Justice’s Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit, served as the focal person during the session. He provided invaluable insights on the Complementary Pathways (CPath) program, emphasizing its role in facilitating education opportunities for Rohingya refugees. This initiative represents a significant milestone in extending humanitarian assistance by collaborating and forming partnerships with universities nationwide. Atty. de Jesus underscored that the CPath program serves as a crucial instrument for aiding refugees in their integration into host communities and in rebuilding their lives. Additionally, he elaborated the roles and responsibilities of the partnered universities in achieving the objectives of this program.
Dr. Elmer A. Irene, Director of OIAs, conveyed his deep appreciation to UNCHR for their willingness to collaborate with SSU. He recognized this partnership as a remarkable opportunity for SSU to contribute to the education and development of Rohingya refugees, enabling them to construct a more promising future for themselves.
Prof. Pedro S. Cabrales, the International Student Exchange Coordinator, expressed his full support for this potential partnership. He also suggested tailoring programs and interventions to accommodate the specific needs of these students as they embark on their educational journey within the university.
The exploratory meeting marked a positive and progressive step towards a possible partnership between SSU and UNCHR. The session concluded with the question-and-answer portion, along with the prospect of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing between both parties, solidifying their commitment to providing higher education opportunities for Rohingya refugees.
