U.S. Provides Silliman University with State-of-the-Art Education Facility Manila, September 25, 2014 -- The U.S. government, through U.S. Embassy Manila’s United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is awarding Silliman University a new state-of-the-art school building, which will enhance the quality of education offered by one of Dumaguete’s premier educational institutions.

USAID’s Office of the American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (USAID/ASHA) gave a Php21.5 million ($500,000 USD) grant to Silliman University through the United Board of Christian Higher Education in Asia to expand the university’s Intensive Care Unit Simulation Laboratory and facilities.

“The U.S. government is pleased to work with one of the Philippines’ leading universities to support its goal of strengthening the quality of education it offers to its students,” said USAID Philippines Mission Director Gloria D. Steele. “USAID/ASHA’s grants help cultivate positive relationships and reinforce the strong links between the United States and the Philippines.”

The expanded facility is a five-unit Simulation Laboratory and Resource Center. It boasts simulation rooms for two Intensive Care Units one Neonatal/Pediatric Care Unit a virtual Operating Room, and a Labor and Delivery Room. The latter two rooms are part of the original structure, but have been upgraded with new equipment through grant funds.

This facility provides Silliman University with the equipment and technology needed for clinical simulations such as Human Patient Simulators, and other robotic machines, tools and resources that will teach students how to deal with real life patient situations.

Aside from the Silliman University grant, USAID provided approximately Php16.3 million ($379,000 USD) to CURE, a network of charitable hospitals and surgical programs, for supplies to support surgical services and training at Tebow CURE Hospital in Davao. Opening later this year, the hospital will provide pediatric orthopedic surgical care, helping children with treatable conditions, such as foot and spinal deformities. The hospital expects to serve approximately 1,500 outpatients and provide 500 surgical procedures annually.

The USAID/ASHA program assists schools, libraries, and medical centers outside the United States. ASHA awards support to construction and renovation, and helps procure scientific, medical, and educational equipment. Since 1947, ASHA has assisted more than 250 institutions in over 70 countries and currently manages a worldwide portfolio of more than 100 awards. ASHA has invested more than Php826 million ($19.2 million USD) in the Philippines over the last 55 years.

About Silliman University:

Silliman University is committed to assisting in the development, training and continuing education of faculty and other professional nurses, as well as working with schools in the ASEAN region to advance pedagogy in Nursing Education and other Allied Health Sciences. Silliman University has envisioned graduate and post graduate programs to produce nursing leaders and scientists—professionals that are needed to meet the health care needs of clientele by strengthening its health care delivery system by improving quality and using evidenced-based practices.

About USAID:

The American people, through the United States Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for over 50 years. In the Philippines, USAID works in partnership with the national government to create a more stable, prosperous and well-governed country through programs that foster sustainable and inclusive growth; strengthen governance and combat corruption; improve access to water, energy, health and education services; and increase environmental resilience and natural resource management capabilities. For more information, visit http://www.usaid.gov/philippines or contact USAID/Philippines Development Outreach and Communications via email: infoph@usaid.gov. For information on USAID/ASHA, contact Maggie Moore, Communications Analyst, at mamoore@usaid.gov.