Cagayan de Oro City (PIA) – The University of Science and Technology of the Southern Philippines (USTP) System started exploring dual degree programs during a meeting together with Golden Gate University (GGU), March 23.

The exploratory meeting was attended by USTP officials. Dr. Jocelyn B. Barbosa, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of USTP, formally opened the meeting. 

In part of GGU, representatives are Dr. Joaquin Gonzales III, Public Administration Department Chair and Executive Master of Public Administration of the university, and Mayor George Christopher, Professor of Public Administration, who introduced the University’s academic system. Aside from this, they shared about STEM (​​Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) degree offerings, successful alumni, and the dual degree program, the main agenda.

Dr. Gonzales shared the mission and vision of their university and their extension services, particularly in helping communities and practicing transformational servant leadership. He emphasized that this initiative is rooted in United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal No. 4 which is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

He also shared that this is also in connection to SDG No. 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. He elaborated that, aside from ensuring quality education, GGU also desires having women in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Architecture, Mathematics, and Management (STEAMM).

GGU’s proposed dual-degree program is open to students and faculty taking up master’s degree or doctorate degree program. The idea is to find a common ground between the universities to determine how many credits GGU will take and can offer to the applicants. Moreover, the university also offers scholarships and internships to help aid the finances of foreign students from partner universities. USTP officials received the discussion positively.

The exploratory meeting concluded with a tour of the College of Technology building facilities.

GGU is a premiere California-based university and is known for assisting adults in achieving their professional goals by providing undergraduate and graduate education in Accounting, Law, Taxation, Business, and related fields since 1901, and has produced over 68,000 graduates. (USTP/IJBD/PIA-10)