Already well-established in China and Vietnam, Keuka College is poised to expand its map of international partnerships.
The College has signed agreements with four universities in the Philippines to provide academic programming at their institutions. Two other Filipino colleges are also in the process of signing on.
The agreements, known as memoranda of understanding, were signed during a December tour of Southeast Asian educational partners by College Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Brad Fuster.
The visits followed Dr. Fuster’s attendance at the Dec. 6-9 Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL) Conference in Hanoi, Vietnam, where he was joined by the College’s Dean for International Programs Gary Giss.
Keuka College has long had a presence in the region, awarding management degrees to international students at partner universities since 2002.
Dr. Fuster and Dean Giss pose with officials from Adamson University after signing a memorandum of understanding at the Philippines university.
“Educational partnerships like those among Keuka College and its international partners can help bridge divides,” said Keuka College President Amy Storey. “They contribute to a more profound understanding of global challenges and a deeper appreciation of global solutions. That’s why we are tremendously committed to our existing partnerships and eager to establish new ones.”
The Philippines would be the third regional nation to welcome the College’s academic programming into its universities.
Introductory meetings and formal signing ceremonies were held with the University of Luzon, Adamson University, and Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi College of Technology and Oceanography. Discussions were also held with the University of the Philippines Manila.
Through networking at the ASAIHL conference, officials from Centro Escolar University and Philippine Women’s University (PWU) learned of Keuka College’s impending presence in the Philippines and expressed eagerness to learn more about the College’s in-country delivery model and participate. PWU quickly became the fourth university to sign a memorandum of understanding with the College.
“It was an incredibly fruitful trip,” said Dr. Fuster. “We were warmly embraced by six different prestigious universities in the Philippines who are all eager to work with us and make a difference in the lives of their students.”
Representatives from Philippines Women's University also held a formal signing ceremony with Dr. Fuster and Dean Giss.
In addition to fledgling new partnerships in the Philippines, the College will soon expand its offerings in Vietnam.
Keuka College has begun work on new agreements with a current partner, the University of Economics and Finance (UEF) in Ho Chi Minh City to add a marketing degree to the portfolio of business programs that the College delivers at UEF.
“Expanding our global community at Keuka College and abroad with our partner universities fosters interconnectedness and increases our cultural understanding and appreciation,” said Director of Global Affairs Jen Alessi ’17 M’21.
While in Hanoi, Dr. Fuster and Dean Giss also visited Vietnam National University - International School, where they met with 16 undergraduate business students who will soon arrive in Keuka Park to attend Keuka College during the spring 2024 semester as part of the College’s dual-degree partnership.
“It was a treat to welcome students from Hanoi as they embark upon a semester on our campus – not to mention expanding our program portfolio in Ho Chi Minh City and forging new relationships with universities in the Philippines,” said Dr. Fuster. “I am so proud of the excellent work being done by our Global Affairs team as we work to further internationalize Keuka College and prepare students to be exemplary citizens and leaders to serve the nation and the world.”
I am so proud of the excellent work being done by our Global Affairs team as we work to further internationalize Keuka College and prepare students to be exemplary citizens and leaders to serve the nation and the world.
