In a landmark event that signals a new era for international academic cooperation, the University of Luzon officially solidified its partnership with New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) of Canada on February 24, 2026. This strategic alliance, titled “Beyond Borders: Empowering the Next Generation of Global Professionals,” represents a significant leap forward in the university’s mission to provide Luzonians with world-class education and unparalleled global mobility. The day’s proceedings commenced with a diplomatic courtesy call to Dagupan City Mayor Hon. Belen T. Fernandez, underscoring the local government’s support for initiatives that elevate the city’s standing as a premier educational hub in Northern Luzon. Following this, the campus grounds erupted in a vibrant “Welcome Salvo” at the DLFS Estadio, where the UL Drum and Bugle Corps and the UL Theater and Dance Company showcased the rich cultural heritage of Pangasinan through a series of traditional performances.

The formalization of the partnership took place during a comprehensive program at the Multi-Purpose Hall, attended by university administrators, faculty, and distinguished guests. Dr. Luis M. Samson, Jr., President of the University of Luzon, and Dr. Aurora M. Samson-Reyna, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, led the welcoming committee, emphasizing that this collaboration is more than just a formal agreement; it is a shared commitment to academic excellence. Director for International Relations, Dir. Angel S. Reyna, Jr., highlighted the university’s persistent efforts to build bridges with reputable institutions across the globe. Representing the Canadian partner, Mr. Shawn Ethier, Director for Global Partnerships at NBCC, delivered a compelling statement of purpose that outlined the mutual benefits of the synergy, focusing on student exchange programs, faculty development, and the integration of international industry standards into the local curriculum.

The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between President Samson and the various College Deans marks a pivotal turning point for the student body. This partnership opens doors for Luzonians to explore pathways to Canadian education and employment, effectively bridging the gap between local training and international demand. By aligning the curricula of both institutions, the University of Luzon ensures that its graduates are not only proficient in their respective fields but are also equipped with the cross-cultural competencies required in the modern global workforce. The open forum that followed allowed for a rigorous exchange of ideas, where faculty and student representatives engaged with the Canadian delegation to discuss the practical implementation of these new global pathways.

The University of Luzon’s commitment to this international partnership is deeply rooted in the pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By fostering “Quality Education” (SDG 4), the university ensures that its pedagogical methods remain at the forefront of global trends. Furthermore, the collaboration directly addresses “Decent Work and Economic Growth” (SDG 8) by creating viable career trajectories for students in the international labor market. Ultimately, this synergy serves as a prime example of “Partnerships for the Goals” (SDG 17), demonstrating how institutional cooperation can transcend geographical boundaries to solve contemporary educational challenges and empower the next generation of global professionals.

The University of Luzon proudly announces the esteemed appointment of Dean Jordan Llego, Dean of the College of Nursing, to two pivotal leadership positions within the Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing (ADPCN) Region I. Dean Llego will officially assume the vital role of Public Information Officer (PIO) for the regional association, while simultaneously serving as the Chair for Student Development, reflecting his profound and recognized dedication to the advancement of nursing education and the empowerment of future healthcare professionals across the Ilocos Region. This dual responsibility not only elevates the profile of the University of Luzon on the regional academic stage but also reinforces the institution’s commitment to providing comprehensive support and professional exposure to its academic community.

In his capacity as Public Information Officer, Dean Llego is tasked with shaping and disseminating the collective voice and objectives of the ADPCN Region I. This strategic role involves coordinating communications, managing institutional narratives, and ensuring transparent information flow among member nursing colleges, regulatory bodies, and the public. The effective execution of this duty is crucial for standardizing best practices, advocating for policy changes that benefit nursing education, and amplifying the region’s contributions to national healthcare workforce development. Through this appointment, Dean Llego will serve as a key figure in regional academic diplomacy, working to strengthen the foundational pillars of the Philippine nursing sector.

Concurrently, Dean Llego will steer the direction of student success as the Chair for Student Development. This role focuses on formulating, implementing, and monitoring programs designed to enhance the academic performance, leadership capabilities, and overall well-being of nursing students across all affiliated institutions. For the students of the University of Luzon, affectionately known as Luzonians, this means direct access to a leader who is positioned to integrate cutting-edge, regionally informed development strategies into their academic journey. The mandate of the Chair for Student Development is to cultivate well-rounded, compassionate, and globally competitive nurses, instilling in them the professional purpose and ethical rigor necessary to excel in complex clinical environments.

Dean Llego’s willingness to shoulder these demanding responsibilities is a powerful testament to the caliber of leadership nurtured within the University of Luzon. His continuous pursuit of excellence serves as an inspiration for the entire nursing community, demonstrating that true leadership transcends mere position to embody purpose, passion, and tangible action. This moment of recognition underscores the University of Luzon’s unwavering commitment to fostering academic leaders who not only manage their respective colleges but also actively contribute to shaping the future landscape of their professional disciplines, benefiting both current Luzonians and those who will follow in their footsteps.

The significance of these leadership roles extends beyond regional institutional recognition, aligning directly with critical global priorities established by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The appointment of Dean Llego as Chair for Student Development directly advances SDG 4 (Quality Education) by focusing on equitable and inclusive learning opportunities and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for future nurses. Furthermore, his work as Public Information Officer for a key regional association bolsters SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by encouraging effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships based on shared goals, ensuring regional institutions can collectively meet the complex demands of healthcare training. Finally, by working to improve the quality of nursing education and the capabilities of student leaders, these roles inherently contribute to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), as a stronger nursing workforce is foundational to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

Life is a constant struggle and one cannot stay comfortably with what one has achieved or become. Things constantly change like a virus mutating. Mario Sanchez dreamt to be a doctor but due to a poverty-stricken life, Mario became a Nurse Practitioner in the United States instead. This strong-willed person is not afraid of changes and hard work. In his younger years, he recalled walking barefooted in grade school when his pair of slippers got torn off beyond repair not serving its purpose. At an early age of 8, he would wake up before the rooster crows in order to sell fruits in the market as the sun rose, then he would trek to the public elementary school in Mangatarem, Pangasinan. These things constantly remind him to always be grounded in life.

There is no time to think of self-pity with the circumstances one has but to challenge oneself through life in education. Mario graduated B.S in Medical Technology in 1987 at the University of Luzon (formerly Luzon Colleges) in Dagupan, Pangasinan. His college sacrifices paid off when he took the Philippine Medical Technology National Board Exam and got 2nd Place in August of 1988. For about 6 years, he taught at the University of Pangasinan College of Medical Technology and Natural Sciences Department. Teaching was always a natural ability whether it required various preparations like Biochemistry, Microbiology, Clinical Chemistry, or Zoology. Mario’s heart was always into teaching and giving to Med Tech Students and Nursing Students. Mario knew that in order to progress he had to leave his beloved country in order to help his family by moving to Canada.

After he immigrated to Canada, he enrolled at St. Clare College – Windsor, Ontario in 1994 to earn a Diploma in Nursing with a 4.0 GPA. With this academic excellence, he then relocated to New York City to work as a staff nurse at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008 at Long Island University, and in 2011, he completed his Master of Science in Nursing with a dual program in Family Nurse Practitioner at Long Island University, New York. He is a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) candidate, June 2023 at Chamberlain University College of Nursing. Mario always loves the clinical and academic aspects. A former adjunct faculty at New York University (NYU) College of Nursing, he holds various national certifications such as being Board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner by American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC); nursing Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) and Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN). He also holds a national medical certification from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a certification that is only traditionally given to medical professionals in the United States.

Learning is something of value and Mario feels significant when he gets to update himself with new knowledge added to his career. Mario finds time to help AFTA with their flagship project, Balik Turo, for 8 years now in his hometown. Currently, he works as a Senior Clinician and as a Nurse Practitioner at the Forest Hills Rehabilitation, and works part-time as a Primary Care provider at True Care Medical PC., serving the underserved community in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Mario dreams of a greater Philippines with a healthcare system that is globally competitive, just, and equitable to the Filipino people.

Recently, he received the Dangal ng Lahi 2022 Award from AFTA (the Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America), the highest honor bestowed by the Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America for outstanding achievement and service to the teaching profession. The awardees honor not only Fil-Am educators in the United States but also our Philippine heritage.

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Students gain practical skills in negotiation, conflict resolution, and cross-cultural communication, essential for representing national interests and fostering international cooperation. The program also includes training in consular operations, protocol, and foreign policy analysis, equipping graduates to handle complex international scenarios. With opportunities for internships in government agencies, embassies, and international organizations, students receive real-world experience that enhances their career readiness.

Graduates of this program are prepared for roles in foreign service, international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and multinational corporations, or for pursuing advanced studies in international relations, law, or public administration.

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Born on May 3, 1942 in Calasiao, Pangasinan, the second of five children, the young Mac Arthur grew up in an ambiance of having both parents as educators.

Naturally gifted, Mac Arthur was a consistent honor student during his elementary years at Luzon Colleges and moved on to obtain his secondary diploma at the University of the Philippines’ High School at Diliman, Quezon City, in 1952.

True to form, growing up in the mold of his parents, who were at the time managing private school institutions in Dagupan City, Mac Arthur pursued the first dream of his father – to become an engineer. He took up a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Mapua Institute of Technology and graduated in 1966. A year later, he subsequently passed the licensure examinations for mechanical engineers with flying colors.

A dreamer and an incurable optimist like his father, Engr. Mac Arthur hied off to the United States of America in 1968 and worked in various engineering firms, starting as a draftsman, plumbing designer, piping engineer, and HVAC designer, eventually rising to become the Piping Section Head of one of the biggest engineering firms in New York City in 1977. His rise to a position of eminence is a shining tribute to his persistence, idealism, and industry.

After a decade of success in New York, it dawned upon him that bigger responsibilities awaited him in the city of his birth. So, in 1978, he decided to return home to assist his father in his manifold duties as President of the Luzon Colleges, which by then were already in full flower as a recognized seat of higher learning in the region. In the same year, he was named to the position of Vice President for Planning and Development, which he occupied from 1978 to 1980. In recognition of his strong work ethics, he was elevated to the position of Executive Vice President in 1980, a role he served in until 2005.

Indeed, it is providential that Engr. Mac Arthur Samson was the epitome of a father’s dream come true. As an educator, he served as the President of the Association of Private Schools, Colleges, and Universities (APSCU) for Pangasinan I & II, including Dagupan City, from 2013 to 2015. After his term as president, he continued to serve as the treasurer of APSCU Region 1. Engr. Samson was also a trustee of both the University of Luzon and the Mother Goose Special School System, Inc. Additionally, he was a member of the Board of Directors of Luzon Medical Center. He has actively and vigorously participated in various training conferences, seminars, workshops, and fora for institutional development, educational development, voluntary accreditation, financing private schools, and all seminars sponsored by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (PACUCOA), Fund for Assistance to Private Education (FAPE), and the Bureau of Higher Education of the DECS, which is now known as the Commission on Higher Education.

One of the highlights of his career as an educator and as a humanitarian was during the year 1990, when a devastating earthquake of intensity 8 ruined the City of Dagupan and turned it into a big desolate area, levelling almost all buildings and houses to the ground. As President and Chancellor of the Dagupan City Civilian Earthquake Reconstruction Fund Foundation, he sent all the engineering students of Luzon Colleges as volunteers to assess the damage, both materially and physically, to all of the City of Dagupan. Still in shock and fear, the people turned to Engr. Samson for help with food, money, and materials to rebuild their homes and eventually their lives. Engr. Samson, fondly called Macky by everyone close to him, toiled and walked with the people in the restoration of Dagupan City, sometimes sleeping for only 2-3 hours so that humanitarian services, medicine, food nutrition, construction materials, and other human needs could be delivered without delay to the Dagupeños at the time of the disaster, extending assistance for months and even years of rehabilitation.

Because of his civic, fraternal, and educational orientation, he even raised funds with his friends and tapped other sources to distribute livelihood assistance to the poor and needy of Dagupan City just so they could overcome and survive the calamity that beset the city. At a certain point in time, he even rallied and encouraged all the businessmen of Dagupan City and Pangasinan to extend their helping hand to donate anything they could contribute to help the people, even if the local government was ready to abandon Dagupan City and transfer the city to another site. “We could have gone to court and sued the national government if they pushed through with their intention to transfer the people of Dagupan to another site,” Dr. Samson vividly remembered.

In March 2003, Engr. Samson was conferred a doctorate degree in humanities, honoris causa, by the Lyceum Northwestern University. The Lyceum award cited him as an outstanding educational administrator who “has continuously provided educational assistance to the thousands of deserving youth in Dagupan City, Pangasinan province and other provinces in Region 1 in the form of academic scholarships, student assistantships, athletic scholarships and other academic grants for the poor and needy.” Yet characteristically, the only achievement Dr. Samson puts down when asked is having “helped hundreds (the number is certainly an understatement) of young people to find their places in society,” which is becoming more and more complicated in this highly increasing and technologically driven globalized society.

As a government official, being a Director of the Dagupan City Water District since 1999, he has also initiated the laying of the underwater pipes supplying fresh and potable water to the island barangays and remote areas of Dagupan City and interceded with Speaker Jose de Venecia to fund the project. All his activities in both private and public life strongly manifest that he is a man of God, an indefatigable civic leader and public servant.

Dr. Samson became the 2nd President of the University of Luzon in 2005. During his tenure, he led the expansion of academic programs, oversaw the modernization of campus infrastructure, and championed initiatives to make quality education more accessible to the youth in the region.

In addition to his leadership at the university, Dr. Samson also served as President of the Mother Goose Special Schools System, Inc., and Luzon Medical Center Inc. These key roles further cemented his legacy as a visionary leader who made a lasting impact in both education and healthcare.

Dr. Samson passed away on September 14, 2023. His legacy of dedication to education, community service, and leadership continues to inspire many. He was succeeded by his younger brother, Dr. Luis M. Samson Jr., as the 3rd President of the University of Luzon, carrying forward the vision set by both their father.

He is survived by his wife, Prof. Gertrudes Aquino Cuison, and their four children: Feluis Robert, Lanelle Judith, Mac Arthur Jr., and Justine Frances, all of whom have become successful professionals in their respective fields. Dr. Samson’s invaluable contributions to both the community and higher education will be remembered for years to come.