23/12/2025
๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐จ๐ฅ๐จ๐ ๐ฒ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ข๐๐ง๐๐๐ฌ
๐๐๐๐๐ฆ๐๐๐ซ ๐๐, ๐๐๐๐ | ๐:๐๐ ๐๐
The College of Health Sciences had the distinct honor of welcoming Dr. Kemal Aydฤฑn, an internationally recognized Gerontologist, Founder and CEO of the World Longevity Forum, and Chairman of the Ibni Sina Institute and the World Ageing Council, on December 22, 2025 at 3:00 PM. His visit focused on initiating meaningful discussions toward academic, research, and programmatic collaboration in advancing elderly care and healthy ageing, particularly within the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Dr. Aydฤฑn was assisted during his visit by a distinguished group of leaders and advocates in education and healthcare, namely Dr. Noralin M. Sharief-Ador, Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Mindanao Institute of Healthcare Professionals (MIHP) and President and Chairman of the Board of the Philippine Muslim Teachersโ College (PMTC); Prince Rajiv Mangondato Sarangani; Ms. Rohaimah Macapanton Mangondato, Treasurer of the Philippine Muslim Teachersโ College (PMTC); and Ms. Judy-Ann Cimeni Gomera, Dean of the Philippine Muslim Teachersโ College (PMTC). Their presence and support contributed significantly to the productive and collaborative nature of the engagement.
The meeting served as a platform to explore possible collaboration in key priority areas, including Geriatric Nursing, Geriatric Psychiatric Nursing, Geriatric Dietetics, Socio/Social Gerontology, and Healthy Life Programs for Geriatrics. Discussions emphasized the importance of developing age-friendly, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based programs that respond to the unique health and social needs of older adults in BARMM.
Dr. Aydฤฑn expressed strong enthusiasm and willingness to support initiatives of the College of Health Sciences, highlighting his long-standing advocacy for projects and programs dedicated to improving the well-being, dignity, and quality of life of the elderly. He also conveyed his readiness to serve as a resource speaker, research collaborator, and technical expert in future research conferences, academic forums, and capacity-building activities of the College.
The visit concluded with a shared commitment to pursue collaborative efforts in instruction, research, and community extension, reinforcing the mutual goal of strengthening geriatric-focused education and services. Dr. Aydฤฑnโs genuine passion for elderly care, complemented by the support of his accompanying partners, marked the visit as a promising step toward sustainable and impactful initiatives for healthy ageing, particularly for underserved and aging communities.
Words by: Prof. Nassefah D. Ali-Rasol
Photos: Dr. Athena Jalaliyah D. Lawi