Mariano Marcos State University President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano signed a memorandum of agreement with Guangxi Health Science College during the 2025 China-ASEAN Vocational Education Conference in Nanning, China on September 15-17, establishing the first transnational higher education program in household services.
MMSU Signs Historic Agreement at China-ASEAN Vocational Education Conference
## Key Details
MMSU served as the sole Philippine institution among 320 participants from 170 colleges and universities across China and Southeast Asian countries at the conference. The agreement with GXHSC formalizes the joint establishment of the China-Philippines Institute of Modern Craftsmanship in Household Service.
Under the memorandum of agreement, both institutions will launch a Bachelor of Homecare Services program by July 2026, pending Commission on Higher Education approval. The program will admit 45 qualified scholars annually for four years, with students completing 2.5 years at MMSU and 1.5 years at GXHSC for practical training and internship.
- Students receive round-trip airfare, free tuition, and accommodation
- Graduates earn certificates from both MMSU and GXHSC
- 1,000 hours of academic instruction and practical training in China
- Practice house facility to be established at MMSU College of Industrial Technology
- Chinese Government funding support for modern learning equipment
The conference highlighted workforce competencies, sustainable growth, and alignment with digital and green transformations. Discussions addressed vocational institutions’ readiness for industry demands and the artificial intelligence economy.
## Quotes & Reactions
“The future of international cooperation is in our hands. Education is not about competition among universities, but about co-creation and collaboration for a brighter future,” Manzano emphasized. “Universities are unique spaces where boundaries can be pushed. We SUCCEED at what we prioritize.”
Manzano expressed gratitude to GXHSC and the Education Department of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for the collaboration opportunity. He commended GXHSC’s state-of-the-art facilities, describing them as “truly inspiring and worth replicating at MMSU,” according to the university.
## Background & Context
This partnership builds on earlier collaborative exchanges, including a July 9-10 forum between MMSU and GXHSC, following the Chinese institution’s initial visit to MMSU in 2024. During the conference, MMSU initiated potential collaborations with international universities from Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, New Zealand, and Indonesia, with memoranda of understanding currently being prepared.
The conference served as a platform for dialogue, sharing best practices, teacher exchanges, and practical collaboration to reinforce talent cultivation across the region. Participating educators presented insights on how AI is reshaping industries and transforming learning environments.
Prof. Robert Salvador of the College of Industrial Technology and Engr. Vladimir Ibañez, Director of the Information Technology Center, joined Manzano at the conference. The GXHSC delegation included Vice President Wu Junduan, Director of Academic Affairs You Kun, and several deans from various colleges.
## What’s Next
The Bachelor of Homecare Services program requirements are under review for CHED approval, targeting a July 2026 launch. A practice house will be established at the MMSU College of Industrial Technology, Paoay Campus through refurbishment of existing structures and installation of modern equipment with Chinese Government funding.
The event underscored MMSU’s commitment to technical and vocational education training partnerships, affirming its dedication to future-ready education anchored on innovation, skills development, and regional cooperation.
