Two UM Students Strengthen Global Exchange Ties

Two outstanding students from the University of Mindanao recently took bold steps onto the global landscape as they embarked on international exchange programs through the Asian International Mobility for Students (AIMS) initiative.

Ryan Federick Yap, a student from the BS Accountancy program, flew to Vietnam to begin an exciting chapter of his academic journey. Ryan represented UM as an exchange student at the prestigious National Economics University (NEU) in Hanoi,  a top public research university known for excellence in Economics, Public Administration, and Business Administration.

His exchange was made possible through the AIMS program, a government-funded initiative that promotes cross-cultural learning and regional collaboration among ASEAN member countries. This milestone was extra special, as Ryan became UM’s first student to participate in an academic exchange program in Vietnam, paving the way for future UM students to explore global opportunities.

On the same note, John Walter Penoy, from the College of Engineering Education (CEE), also traveled to Bangkok, Thailand to commence his student exchange program at King Mongkut’s University of Technology, Thonburi (KMUTT). He spent the semester experiencing KMUTT’s world-class facilities, learning alongside Thai and international students, and immersing himself in a new culture that broadened his perspective both as a student and as a future engineer.

This exchange program was part of the university’s commitment to SDG 4: Quality Education, empowering students through transformative educational experiences that cultivate global competencies, cultural understanding, and academic excellence. In addition, SDG 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions and SDG 17: Partnerships to Achieve the Goal, initiatives actively strengthen partnerships between institutions across ASEAN nations, creating pathways for future collaboration in research, governance, and sustainable development.

With their journeys underway, UM expressed its pride in both students, recognizing their experiences as important steps toward fostering a globally connected and culturally enriched academic community.