Silliman University’s First Institutional Partnership in Africa Sealed

Dumaguete City (PNA) — Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, seals its first formal institutional partnership in Africa, following the trip of two official representatives of the University to Arusha, Tanzania on September 14 to 16.

Upon the invitation of the United Evangelical Mission (UEM), vice president for Development Prof. Jane Annette L. Belarmino and Board of Trustees secretary Atty. Grace A. Sumalpong met with officials of Tumaini University in Tanzania. They also finalized the memorandum of understanding between the two universities, a media release from Silliman University said Wednesday.

In October 2014, Silliman hosted a delegation from UEM and Tumaini University. Among those who were on campus were the same officials that Professor Belarmino and Atty. Sumalpong interfaced with in Tanzania: Rev. Prof. Joseph W. Parsalaw, Tumaini vice chancellor, and Rev. Dr. Andar Parlindungan, head of UEM Department Training and Empowerment.

The visit to Tanzania sought to evaluate the previous meeting that took place between Tumaini and Silliman in Dumaguete in 2014, define common goals in the area of student, personnel and resource exchange, and strengthen relations among Silliman, Tumaini and UEM.

Silliman’s formal partnership with Tumaini is a product of the University continuing collaboration with UEM. UEM is one of the institutional partners of both Silliman and Tumaini. Through UEM, Silliman serves as an International Center for Mission Studies in Asia, offering the program of Master of Theology in Mission Studies.

This program in Silliman hosts UEM scholars from Germany, Asia and Africa. (PNA) LAP/JFP/PR