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From Cotabato City to Surabaya: Notre Dame University Marks a Milestone in International Nursing Education

 A new chapter in international academic engagement has begun for Notre Dame University (NDU), Cotabato City, Philippines, as students and faculty from its College of Health Sciences, led by Dean Dr. MJ Balawag, arrived in Surabaya, Indonesia, for a special academic visit to the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, recognised as Indonesia's No. 1 nursing school.

This inaugural visit represents a significant milestone for NDU, opening new opportunities for international exposure, cross-cultural learning, and academic collaboration.

For participating students, the experience offers an opportunity to look beyond familiar classrooms and clinical environments. Engaging with an international nursing institution can broaden their understanding of nursing education, healthcare delivery, research, and professional practice within Southeast Asia.


Photo courtesy: Notre Dame University


For faculty members, the visit presents possibilities for exchanging teaching approaches, exploring research partnerships, strengthening institutional relationships, and identifying future opportunities for collaborative educational activities.

Beyond academic exchange, the visit carries broader significance for nursing education in Mindanao. It demonstrates how institutions outside the Philippines' major metropolitan centres can actively pursue international engagement and provide students with meaningful exposure to global healthcare perspectives.

Universitas Airlangga's Faculty of Nursing provides an important setting for these conversations, particularly as Southeast Asian countries confront shared challenges involving workforce development, ageing populations, health equity, and the preparation of future nursing professionals.

The visit also reflects the growing importance of regional cooperation in strengthening nursing education and healthcare systems.


Photo courtesy: Notre Dame University



For Notre Dame University, this historic first could become the foundation for sustained Philippines–Indonesia collaboration through student exchanges, joint research, faculty development, and professional networking.

Congratulations to Dr. MJ Balawag, the participating faculty and students, and the entire Notre Dame University community!

Their journey reminds us that internationalisation is not simply about travelling abroad. It is about bringing home new knowledge, perspectives, relationships, and aspirations that can strengthen nursing education and healthcare in the Philippines.




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