Governor Dr. Melchor Daguines Diclas recently welcomed two Indian research scholars, as part of the initiative of the Provincial Government of Benguet to strengthen its partnership with India in the areas of education and tourism.
Mohammad Farhan Zeb Khan and Dr. Anzar Aquil, Indian Research Scholars in Indonesia, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Diclas on Thursday, July 31, to discuss ongoing and future collaborations between the provincial government, Indian educational institutions, and the Department of Education (DepEd) – Benguet.
This initiative builds on earlier exchanges made by representatives from the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) and DepEd Benguet during their recent visits to India.
The growing partnership aims to promote bilateral cooperation in education, science and technology, public health, teacher exchange, and youth development.
Governor Diclas expressed his appreciation to the visiting research scholars and their colleagues in India for facilitating the edu-tourism engagement of the PLGU and DepEd officials. He emphasized that this collaboration, particularly in inclusive education, will greatly benefit teachers and learners in Benguet.
According to Lorna Yaco, Education Program Specialist at the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Benguet, strategies and best practices on inclusive education learned in India are already being adopted in some local schools. Yaco joined DepEd-CAR Regional Director and OIC-Schools Division Superintendent of Benguet, Estella L. Cariño, in a recent educational engagement in India.
During their June visit, the Benguet delegation engaged in high-level discussions with academic leaders at Gautam Buddha University, led by Vice Chancellor Professor Rana Pratap Singh. The dialogue focused on academic collaboration and mutual development initiatives.
Earlier in April, PLGU Tourism Officer I Kenneth Kelcho with DepEd personnel, also visited learning institutions in New Delhi and Kashmir with the assitance of the Khan and Dr. Aquil. They conducted presentations and interactive sessions that helped lay the foundation for the ongoing partnership.
All these engagements were made possible with the support of Governor Diclas.
As part of their visit, research scholars Khan and Dr. Aquil are scheduled to meet with teachers, school heads, supervisors, and students in La Trinidad, Kabayan, Atok, and Buguias. They will provide technical assistance, especially on inclusive education and information and communications technology (ICT).
To deepen their understanding of the local context, the two were also oriented on Benguet rich culture and history during a visit to the Benguet Museum.
In line with the partnership, personnel from the PLGU have also been offered opportunities for a sponsored post-graduate course at Sharda University in India as part of building long-term educational cooperation between Benguet and India.
