Representing the Adventist University of the Philippines, Dr. Gracel Ann Saban, vice president for academics, had a meeting and memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing with Dr. Masazumi Sugi, president of Saniku Gakuin College (SGC), a co-educational boarding school on a senior college level operated by the Japan Union Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
On June 11, 2025, the meeting and MOA signing ceremony took place at Tokyo Adventist Hospital in Tokyo, Japan. Present in the ceremony were Dr. Masazumi Sugi, president of SGC; Dr. Mirika Hirano, assistant to the president and dean of nursing; and Dr. Reiko Konno, the Academic Dean. Dr. Sugi facilitated an insightful dialogue by sharing the profiles, contexts, programs, and practices of both institutions. This was followed by a discussion on academic and research cooperation outlined in the Memorandum of Agreement. The conversation included identifying specific internationalization efforts and other areas of collaboration related to academic and church missions that will be organized as a result of this partnership.
Dr. Saban also met with Dr. Toshihiro Nishino, president of Tokyo Adventist Hospital (TAH). Dr. Mirika Hirano, vice president for medical affairs of TAH, toured her through the 186-bed hospital building, which also includes three medical clinics, a dental clinic, and a home-visit nursing station with over 500 employees. The hospital shares its campus with Amanuma Church, the largest Adventist Church in Tokyo, and Saniku Gakuin College of Nursing, the only Adventist Nursing College in Japan.
On June 12, 2025, Dr. Makoto Hirata, principal of Tokyo San-Iku Adventist Elementary School and Ms. Kuriko Sensei, English teacher of Tokyo San-Iku Adventist Elementary School hosted a tour that transpired observing curriculum implementation and culture-rich school activities, noting best practices on learner behavior management and inclusion of work in the daily school program, and conducting teacher training exchange. Furthermore, one purpose of the visit was ocular, related to the Student Internship Abroad Program (SIAP) opportunities.
It is hoped that a successful partnership will develop in the months and years to come, advancing the shared mission and goals of the partner institutions for the benefit of nation-building and for the glory of God.
by Charissa Uy | Jun 25, 2025
The original article was published on the Adventist University of the Philippines News Site.
