Vol. XXI, No. 234 [ Business World Online ]
Monday, June 30, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — An agreement signed last week by a major Korean tourism firm, a local school and a South Korean university is expected to boost Northern Mindanao’s tourism education.
On Tuesday last week, South Korea’s I.F. Koresco Corp., Liceo de Cagayan University and Tamna University on Jeju Island signed an academic exchange program that could bring to this Mindanao region as many as 100 Korean students per semester. There are also provisions for faculty exchange and research collaboration.
"Through this exchange program, we could help in terms of student activities and, as we begin, we believe that we can get great results," said Ko Suk Koo, chairman for I.F. Koresco Corp., which operates the city’s Hotel Koresco.
Mr. Koo signed the exchange agreement with Tamna University president Yang Chang Sik and Mariano M. Llerin, president of Liceo de Cagayan University.
Tourism regional director Catalino E. Chan III said the program creates a multiplier effect, especially since parents, relatives and friends of Korean students studying here are expected to visit them.
Mr. Sik said they are offering three scholarships for qualified students of Liceo de Cagayan University to study in Tamna University.
Studying in Tamna University, Mr. Sik said, can cost a regular student about $3,000 per semester. He said they would support students from the Philippines through full scholarships or via discounted fees.
The Korean university, which was established in December 1997, specializes in air service management, hotel management, as well as tourism industry and policy administration.
Tamna University also has a "Department of Golf System," Mr. Sik said. Jeju Island hosts 25 golf courses, which will increase to 41 by the end of the decade.
"For a start, there will be four students who will be coming here per year to enroll through the exchange program," Mr. Sik said.
"We need to see the facilities and programs, and if the condition is right, we’re planning to send in up to 100 students per semester," he added.
Mr. Sik said Tamna University will also absorb any student-exchange graduate who is fluent in English and who will qualify to teach this language in the university.
Mr. Koo said his own company is willing to hire eligible students who would graduate from the program. — Geefe P. Alba
____________________________________________________________________
