As an offshoot of the May 2009 Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMECO) Conference at the Indonesian Consulate in Davao City, the partnership between the Davao Doctors College (DDC) and Indonesian Schools has finally commenced through a Faculty Exchange Program (FEP).

Through the FEP, exciting interchange between participating schools on improving the quality of teaching and learning in school, sharing knowledge, culture and values including international perspectives on ideas and events can be realized.

DDC has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with six (6) SEAMECO member schools in Indonesia. The first school to come to DDC for the Faculty Exchange Program is the SMA Negeri 1 Subang, West Java, Indonesia.

Dra. Hj. Yulia Gantini, M. PD, the School Principal, Ms. Rika Rachmita Sujatma, Coordinator for International Program, Mr. Dodi Nurbadri, Vice-Principal and Geography/Sociology Teacher, and Ms. Eulis Neni Sumarni, a Biology Teacher from SMAN Subang constituted the first group. They arrived in Davao City on November 30.

The two-week immersion activities from December 1-15, 2009 included classroom observation in Biology and English classes, classroom management, conduct of examinations and participation in cultural and environmental activities. Two of the visiting teachers shared teaching strategies during the return teaching demonstration. A visit to both public and private selected High Schools, to the DDC adopted barangays and a tour to beautiful spots in the city were added educational experience for the teacher visitors.

During the culminating program on December 14 at the DDC AVR, Dr. Maria Leah F. Villano, Director for Academic Affairs and Consultant of the Team, considered the Faculty Exchange Program a dream come true. True enough because six months after the conference, the MoU was realized.

Dr. Rizalina M. Pañgan, DDC President and CEO, further said that the SMAN Subang's sojourn is just the first of a series of exchange visits between DDC and other Indonesian schools. Soon, she further opined, that some of our DDC faculty will also visit Indonesian schools and immerse themselves into the culture of our Indonesian neighbors.

The DDC-Indonesian Project Team is composed of Dr. Rizalina M. Pañgan, Dr. Maria Leah F. Villano, Dr. Lily B. Babayen-on, Program Coordinator and Ms. Lovella R. Belangdal.