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USJ Students Volunteer in English Teaching Programme in Saint Paul Institute, Cambodia

2024-06-20

20

Jun

20/06/2024

Two USJ students took part in a volunteer English teaching programme in Saint Paul Institute (SPI), Cambodia, as part of the outreach requirements for USJ students that have been awarded with the Macao Diocese Scholarship.



Two students from the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) Macao have been chosen to take part in a volunteer English teaching programme in Saint Paul Institute (SPI), Cambodia. The programme is part of the outreach requirements for USJ students that have been awarded with the Macao Diocese Scholarship and will run from June 17 to July 20, 2024.

Upon the arrival to Phnom Penh, Vice-Rector for Internationalization and Academic Affairs of USJ Macao, Professor Álvaro Barbosa and the students had an audience with Bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Phnom Penh Olivier Schmitthaeusler and the President of the Saint Paul Institute Dr. Phon Sophal, at Phnom Penh Thmey Pastoral Center in Cambodia, marking the start of this foundational collaborative project that is expected to expand in years to come.

The selection of these students is part of USJ’s commitment to promoting community engagement and social responsibility among its scholarship recipients. As recipients of USJ’s admission scholarships, these students have directly benefited from the Macao Diocese and the university’s support and are now expected to give back by serving as volunteers.

This volunteer program in Cambodia allows USJ students to share their English skills and make an impact on the lives of others. Likewise, it is especially crucial for students residing in Southeast Asia with limited opportunities to learn English. USJ students will work alongside SPI’s faculty, assisting in English lessons and participating in various educational activities during the 5-week programme.

The two USJ students selected for the program are Ermickson Staline Martins de Brito, a first-year MBA student from Cape Verde, and Cassandra Chanelle Tanquion Junsay, a first-year BPY student from the province of Mindanao in the Philippines.

The selection criteria for the program were based on the students’ English level and academic performance (GPA).

SPI is one of the board member institutions of the Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACCU), and this program is part of ASEACCU’s mission to foster educational collaboration and community engagement  amongst the members of the Catholic Higher Education Network in Asia. ASEACCU is playing a crucial role in serving as a platform for its member institutions inspiring a more significant global role and visibility for Higher Education in Asia.

[ From left, Ms. Cassandra Chanelle Tanquion Junsay, Professor Álvaro Barbosa, Bishop Olivier Schmitthaeusler, Dr. PHON SOPHAL and Mr. Ermickson Staline Martins de Brito ]