Ten nursing students from Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Western Australia, gained firsthand exposure to the Philippine hospital setting during a guided tour of The Medical City (TMC) in Ortigas, Pasig City, on October 9, 2026. The visit was organized through the Community Clinical Placement Program (CCPP) of Arellano University’s International Nursing Program (AU-INP).
The students were welcomed by Ms. Percy Aiggie Lauria, RN, MAN, TMC Chief Nursing Officer, and Dr. Elbert Mutuc, RN, LPT, MAEd, DPed, Clinical Nurse Educator. The tour introduced them to the hospital’s services, facilities, and clinical environment, including patient care areas, emergency care facilities, and bedside monitoring equipment. These observations offered insights into the delivery of nursing care in a Philippine tertiary hospital.
Accompanying the students were Prof. Bernadine Navalta, RN, MAN, AU Community Clinical Coordinator, and Prof. Carla Gonzales, RN, MAN, AU-INP Academic Coordinator. The visit provided opportunities to compare healthcare practices and explore how clinical services are organized across different healthcare systems.
Throughout the tour, students observed facilities that support patient care and professional learning. Their visit also included the Center for Advanced Skills, Simulation and Training Innovation (CASSTI), highlighting the hospital’s resources for clinical education. These experiences complemented their exposure to TMC’s patient-centered approach, guided by its philosophy, “Where Patients are Partners.”
The activity formed part of the continuing partnership between Arellano University and ECU, which promotes international learning, cultural exchange, and exposure to healthcare practices in the Philippines. Through the CCPP, students engage with local healthcare settings and communities, broadening their understanding of nursing practice beyond their home institutions.
Arellano University extends its appreciation to The Medical City and its healthcare team for welcoming the ECU nursing students and supporting this learning experience. The visit highlights the value of collaboration between universities and healthcare institutions in preparing future nurses to practice across diverse clinical and cultural settings.
- Carla May C. Gonzales, RN, MAN
