If there is one field of study and practice that has impacted millions, especially in the past five years, it’s healthcare. As the healthcare sector nursed the world back to health during the pandemic, the urgency to strengthen the health system to build resilient communities became more apparent. Aside from adopting medical improvements, this primarily entails building a troop of competent medical professionals.
Based on the report “Ageing Well? Policies to Support Older Nurses at Work” published by the International Council of Nurses, International Centre on Nurse Migration, and CGFNS International, Inc., 10.6 million nurses are needed by 2030 to maintain efficient health services.
On top of nurses, recruitment platform Indeed stated that other medical professionals such as physicians, medical technologists, phlebotomists, physical therapists, radiologists, and pharmacists are in high demand this 2025 due to the growing aging population in the U.S.
To bridge this gap, Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (Mapúa MCL), in collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU), has expanded its offerings to include new international-vetted Nursing, Medical Technology, Pharmacy, and Physical Therapy programs. These new programs round off the Colleges’ other Health Sciences offerings in Biology and Psychology, which are also conducted in collaboration with ASU, the most innovative school in the U.S.
Unlike other traditional college programs, Mapúa MCL’s Nursing and Health Sciences programs provide students access to learning materials from ASU content repositories, and learning opportunities on Global Signature Courses (GSC) through the Cintana Network, an international network of universities that shares resources and expertise. Students who complete ASU masterclasses also earn badges for their e-portfolio.
Classes are conducted via FLUX (Flexible Learning Ubiquitous eXperience) or a combination of face-to-face and online learning to enhance students’ learning experience. Some courses also involve inter-school collaboration between the Cintana Alliance, Mapúa University, Mapúa MCL, and Mapúa MCM to let students gain insights and global perspectives alongside other learners.
“Our curriculum is built on a foundation of rigorous scientific inquiry. We apply principles to real-world health challenges. We emphasize practical application. Students are taught the art and science of patient care, developing essential skills in communication, assessment, and intervention. We bridge the gap between scientific discovery and compassionate care and nourish individuals dedicated to creating a healthier future for all,” said Mapúa MCL’s Vice President for Academic Affairs Maribel Songsong.
VP Songsong further explained that students have ample opportunities to explore the social, environmental, and behavioral health determinants and are trained to design and implement effective public health initiatives. Using the programs’ international-vetted curricula, students develop competencies that satisfy global industry standards and exceed the minimum requirements of the Commission on Higher Education. They also become adept at addressing health disparities, promoting wellness, and creating healthier communities.
Apart from the comprehensive lectures, discussions, and mentoring, learners’ competencies are honed through hands-on training, simulation activities, clinical internships, immersions, fieldwork, community engagement, workshops conducted by industry partners, and micro-credential courses. They are also given pre-employment seminars, training, and career fairs.
This holistic, learner-centered, and outcomes-based approach enables future health professionals to go beyond head knowledge by simultaneously sharpening much-needed future skills like creativity, critical thinking, innovation, leadership, digital literacy, self-management, and interpersonal skills.
This approach is particularly evident in Mapúa MCL’s new undergraduate Nursing program powered by ASU. Through the collaboration with ASU and Cintana Alliance partner universities, nursing students gain an enriching educational experience that is at par with other leading overseas universities. Students benefit from ASU’s high-quality learning resources and course materials that are seamlessly integrated into the curriculum, which are delivered through innovative learning models by ASU-trained Mapúa MCL faculty.
To complement their theoretical knowledge, they join various clinical rotations that expose them to diverse patients and medical conditions, as well as research collaborations with Cintana Alliance partner universities. Students receive regular mentoring, comprehensive career services, and mental health support to help them succeed academically. They also utilize technologically advanced global classrooms that enable virtual interactions and collaborations with students from other partner institutions.
Aspiring nurses and Health Sciences students also have numerous technologically advanced facilities and resources at their disposal. These include various computer software used in simulations and immersive learning environments, psychometric assessment tools to gauge competencies and support personal and professional development, interactive biotechnology learning tools like Biopac and Labster, and clinical and simulation facilities that mimic real healthcare scenarios in the Emergency Room or Intensive Care Unit. The school also has a central supply room with complete lab equipment for clinical skills training and employs generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to accelerate learning.
Clinical rotations and practicums are also extensive for enrolled students. Psychology students currently have their practicum at five clinics: Sanatio Psychological Services, Sol Psychological Services, Exalt Psychological Clinic and Consultancy, Autism Society of the Philippines – Sta. Rosa, Laguna Chapter, and Unihealth Southwoods Hospital and Medical Center. While nursing students have rotations at UniHealth Southwoods Hospital and Medical Center, Healthway Qualimed Hospital, and Cabuyao City Health Office. They can also opt for summer overseas training at Cintana partner universities with clinical facilities in Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the USA.
“What we offer our Nursing and Health Sciences students are not just technical competencies that will help them start a career but a global foothold that can empower them to lead and make significant improvements in healthcare eventually. Through the real-life experiences, transformative learning, interschool collaboration, and professionalism our globally-focused curricula provide, we aim to mold the future leaders in health care,” added VP Songsong.
No Comments