The UERMMMCI College of Physical Therapy (CPT) officially launched the new member of its family through a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among the three key players of its conception. Last October 19, 2010, the delegates of the Nippon Foundation headed by its President, Mr. Yohei Sasakawa; the Executive Director of the Cambodia Trust, Mr. Carson Harte;, and the Board of Trustees of the UERMMMCI represented by President Romeo A. Divinagracia, signed the papers that will open the doors to the first Philippine School of Prosthetics and Orthotics. The event was also attended by Board of Trustees and Academic Officers of the Medical Center, government officials led by Secretary Jesse Robredo of the Dept of Interior and Local Government, Undersecretary Celia Yangco of the DSWD and Undersecretary Teodoro Herbosa of the DOH. Friends and advocates of PWDs were also present to give support to this new project of the College of Physical Therapy. A press conference followed where reporters from both print and TV media asked questions to the panel which included, Dr. Josephine R. Bundoc, faculty of the CPT and proponent of the project, Dr. Raquel S. Cabazor, dean of the CPT, Mr. Carson Harte, President Romeo A. Divinagracia and Mr Yohei Sasakawa.
The school is targeted to open for school year 2011-2012. It will be offering a 5-year course of B.S. Prosthetics and Orthotics, the first in the country and only the 12th in the world. The graduates of B.S. Prosthetics and Orthotics shall be leaders in the field of training, service and research on prosthetic and orthotic devices. They are envisioned to uplift the quality of lives locally and globally as educator, researcher, entrepreneur, advocate, administrator, community organizer and service provider.
(seated from left): Mr. Carson Harte (Cambodia Trust), President Romeo Divinagracia (UERM), Mr. Yohei Sasakawa (Nippon Foundation), Mr. Shuichi Ohno (Nippon Foundation); (standing from left): Mr. Wilson Young (Vice Chair, UERM), Dr. Josephine Bundoc (Faculty and Proponent), Dr. Raquel Cabazor (Dean – CPT), Ms. Lyne Abanilla (CEO- Physicians for Peace) and Dr. Teodoro Herbosa (Usec –DOH)
