TWO students of the Visayas State University bagged the first and tenth place, respectively, in the International Essay Competition for undergraduate nursing students last month.

Trisha Louella Mae Racho and Althea Grace Mosende won for their essays on the theme, “Covid19: The Reveal of the Real Kind of Nursing”, beating 59 contestants from other countries.

The essay competition was hosted by Stikes Bethesda Yakkum, an Indonesia-based university.

Dr. Joel Rey Acob, dean of the school’s College of Nursing, lauded the two nursing students.

“On behalf of the faculty of the College of Nursing and the VSU system, my warmest congratulations to the winners and participants in bringing home the bacon,” Acob said.

He cited the importance of giving support and empowering young students towards regional development, mutual understanding, and collaboration in ASEAN.

“As we traverse this new normal, embedded to it is embracing opportunities to collaborate, share, and care not just into our own pedestal, but also more so to our neighboring culture,” Acob said.

“Supporting our young people in this kind of endeavor is a manifesto of the VSU College of Nursing’s contribution to the university’s global recognition and in strengthening the ASEAN integration,” he added.

Racho received $150 and a certificate from Stikes Bethesda Yakkum in recognition of her accomplishment.