Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
Central Mindanao University (CMU) continues to strengthen its internationalization initiatives as Ms. Dawn Fatima S. Cuevas, RND, MSc, faculty member of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, was selected to participate in the 2025 Explore Medicine: Summer Camp Experience hosted by Taipei Medical University (TMU).
Held from July 25 to August 4, 2025, the program gathered 30 postgraduate students and healthcare professionals from across Asia for an intensive 10-day immersion into Taiwan’s healthcare system. Spearheaded by Dr. Hsiao-Chi Chuang of TMU, the camp featured academic sessions, clinical workshops, site visits, and cultural activities.
Participants explored diverse topics such as pulmonology and long-term care, biotechnology, DNA sequencing and CRISPR gene-editing, AI applications in medicine, and the development of smart medical devices. These sessions highlighted Taiwan’s innovations in health sciences and offered valuable insights into community-based models of care, particularly for aging populations.
For CMU, Ms. Cuevas’ participation marks a significant step in international engagement and academic collaboration. By bringing home knowledge from TMU’s approaches in advanced medical education and healthcare delivery, she is expected to contribute to the enhancement of CMU’s curriculum, research directions, and extension services. This aligns with the university’s vision of preparing globally competent graduates and strengthening partnerships with international institutions.
Apart from the academic training, Ms. Cuevas also joined cultural immersions, including visits to the Maokong Gondola, Tamsui Old Street, Taipei Zoo, and the National Palace Museum, which deepened her appreciation of Taiwan’s cultural context concerning healthcare.
The camp concluded with participants presenting reflections and proposals for future collaboration. This created opportunities for faculty and student exchange programs, joint research projects, and strengthened international linkages, especially in the fields of nutrition, clinical practice, and public health.
Through Ms. Cuevas’ attendance, CMU reinforces its commitment to becoming a globally engaged research university. The partnership with TMU not only broadens the university’s academic horizons but also positions CMU as an active contributor to knowledge exchange and innovation in Asia.
Funded by the Taiwan Ministry of Education and led by TMU’s College of Medicine, the program demonstrated the value of cross-border collaboration in advancing healthcare education. For CMU, this milestone reinforces its commitment to building strong global networks while ensuring that international opportunities translate into tangible benefits for Mindanao and the Philippines. [Johnica Chantal G. Montero with information from Ms. Dawn Fatima S. Cuevas]
