Vice Chancellor Lacaste (2nd from right), Vice Chancellor Saludadez (3rd from right), with KMU delegates led by Professor Hsu (center), led the cutting of the ribbon for the UPOU Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) International University Social Responsibility (iUSR) Office.
The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) formally launched the Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU) International University Social Responsibility (iUSR) Office on 5 February 2026 at the UPOU WCMP Building (Digital Futures Hub) in Los Baños, Laguna. The activity marked a significant milestone in UPOU’s sustained partnership with Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan.
The KMU iUSR Office, established as part of the UPOU’s Internationalization Center, will serve as a dedicated space for hosting visiting professors, students, and cultural exchange participants, while supporting collaborative academic and social responsibility projects between UPOU and its international partners. The office is part of KMU’s Namasia University Social Responsibility (USR) Project and symbolizes the deepening ties between the Philippines and Taiwan in higher education and community engagement. Asst. Prof. Remsce Pasahol, UPOU Program Development Associate for International Linkages, explained that this launch follows the inauguration of a counterpart iUSR space at KMU on 9 October 2025, symbolizing the enduring partnership between the two institutions.
On behalf of UPOU Chancellor Joane V. Serrano, Assoc. Prof. Aurora V. Lacaste, UPOU Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, welcomed the KMU delegation and underscored the importance of sustained international partnerships in advancing open and distance e-learning. Likewise, Prof. Jean A. Saludadez, UPOU Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration, warmly welcomed all the guests and introduced various immersive pedagogy projects of UPOU.
Professor Sodio C. N. Hsu outlines the academic exchange and study programs at KMU.
Representing KMU, Professor Sodio C. N. Hsu, Dean of the College of Life Sciences, expressed his gratitude for the enduring partnership with UPOU and highlighted opportunities for academic exchange and study programs open to Filipino students. He was joined by members of the KMU delegation, including Professor Wei-Yu Lin, Chair of the Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry; Professor Pei-Feng Liu, Chair of the Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology; Professor Wei-Ting Liao, Chair of the Department of Biotechnology; and Associate Professor Yong-Chao Su of the Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology.
Asst. Prof. Saludadez presented the collaborative initiatives of UPOU and KMU.
A presentation on the history and milestones of the UPOU-KMU partnership was delivered by Assistant to the Chancellor for VINTA and Lead Faculty for iUSR, Asst. Prof. Lorena Jean Saludadez. The presentation traced the two institutions’ collaborative initiatives, emphasizing their shared commitments to internationalization, academic mobility, and university social responsibility since 2023.
The highlight of the program was the ceremonial ribbon-cutting and unveiling of the iUSR Office, led by KMU and UPOU officials. An exchange of institutional tokens followed, symbolizing mutual respect and shared values. KMU likewise presented tokens from Taiwan to commemorate the occasion.
Asst. Prof. Pasahol served as master of ceremonies.
The activity was spearheaded by the UPOU Linkages and UP VINTA team.
The establishment of the iUSR Office stands as a testament to the enduring partnership between UPOU and KMU and reflects their shared vision of fostering global engagement, academic excellence, and social responsibility in higher education.
Written by Anna Cañas-Llamas | Edited by Remsce Pasahol and Lorena Jean Saludadez | Photo by Dianne Cosinas
