FRENCH EMBASSY OFFICIAL VISITS MABALACAT CITY COLLEGE

BY KEVIN GALANG

FRENCH Embassy Attaché for Cooperation Sylvain Lamourette on Wednesday visited the Mabalacat City College (MCC) as part of an initiative to foster international educational partnerships.

Lamourette was warmly welcomed by the MCC Executive Committee (EXECOM) and the Board of Trustees headed by Mayor Crisostomo Garbo.

During the visit, Lamourette announced that Mabalacat City College is among the six higher education institutions from the Philippines chosen to visit France in September.

The purpose of the initiative is to explore potential collaborations with French universities in the areas of curriculum development, foreign language, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), project implementations, and student exchange programs.

Garbo thanked the French Embassy for the opportunity.

“It is an honor for Mabalacat City College to be recognized by the Embassy of France as a potential partner for educational and cultural exchange. We are committed to providing our students and faculty with international exposure and look forward to the possibilities this collaboration will bring,” the Mabalacat mayor said.

The France visit is expected to pave the way for MCC to strengthen its academic offerings and enhance its global competitiveness.

The MCC said the collaboration aligns with the college’s mission to provide quality education and develop globally competitive individuals.

Councilor Noel Castro, Committee on Education head, said the collaboration with French universities represents a strategic step forward in enhancing the quality of education in Mabalacat City.

“Opportunities like these allow our educational institutions to leap into the global arena and bring home learning experiences that can inspire and motivate not only our students but also our local educators and administrators,” Castro said.

The meeting with Lamourette included a discussion on the strategic implementation of the proposed alliance, ensuring that both French and Filipino interests and academic standards are met.

The MCC community is eagerly anticipating the development of specialized programs that will integrate French language studies and promote a deeper understanding of global issues through Sustainable Development Goals.

“We are deeply honored by the trust and recognition given to Mabalacat City College by the Embassy of France. This partnership signifies a milestone in our commitment to providing global perspectives and educational opportunities to our students and faculty,” MCC president Dr. Michelle Aguilar-Ong said.

“Our inclusion in this initiative is not just a recognition of our past achievements but also a call to broaden our horizons and to pursue excellence in international education,” she added.