Focus: Education – Davao City has the only Japanese college in RP

THE only Japanese college in the entire Philippines is found in Davao City. It was established in 2001 out of the joint contributions from the Japanese couple Mr. Tatsuo and Mrs. Ayako Uchida, the Japan-Philippines Volunteers Association and the effort of Filipinos of Japanese descent in Davao City. The college is called the Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku (MKD). Its English translation is Mindanao International College.
MKD is totally different from other universities and colleges in Davao City. As a part of its curriculum, students have to take 18 units of compulsory Japanese language and cultural subjects. Despite being a new institution in the midst of a competitive academic environment, Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku has produced graduates who have successfully positioned themselves in multinational companies, both in the Philippines and in Japan.
MKD dedicates itself to teaching its students how to master the Japanese language and is one of the top producers of Japanese Language Proficiency Test passers in Mindanao. Aside from that, the college has also been successful in sending its students to participate in International Study Tours. This year alone, 18 MKD students have been chosen to go to Japan for an all-expense paid cultural and Nihongo program. Last year, ten MKD students were sent to Japan for a two-week long cultural immersion and educational tour.
The college also hosts programs that bind the Philippines and the Japanese nation. Annually, the Philippines-Japan Festival is supported and participated in by Japanese organizations, business entities and individuals. The celebration highlights the beauty of both Filipino and Japanese cultures and creates a dialogue through cultural presentations, contests and creative exhibits.
MKD also hosts the Nihongo Speechfest every year which is participated by its students as well as students from other schools. Speaking of the national level, MKD is no doubt one of the best Nihongo institutions in the Philippines as its students never fail to claim the top three positions in the annual National Nihongo Speech Contest.
MKD believes in the importance of education in the lives of the youth of today. This is why the college has incorporated Japanese language to its curriculum to make its graduates more competitive internationally. This is the time to make the right choice for your future. Invest your education at Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku.