SU student named one of three Most Outstanding International Students in the Philippines

Joseph Msafiri Mbilu receives his award as Most Outstanding International Student. (Photo from the PIFUA Facebook page).

Joseph Msafiri Mbilu, a Silliman University (SU) College of Engineering student from Tanzania, was recognized as one of the 2023 Top 3 Most Outstanding International Students in the Philippines by the Philippine International Friendship and Understanding Association (PIFUA) in a ceremony at the University Hotel of the University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City on December 5, 2023.

Mbilu is joined by Health Science student from Nigeria, Flourish Oluwasifayo Awe of De La Salle University Medical and Health Science Institute; and Education student from Russia, Vladimir Zudinov of Saint Louis University. They were chosen based on their community involvement, talent, academic performance, speech, and knowledge of their host country as demonstrated in their written examination and panel interview.

Established in 1969, the annual contest is organized by PIFUA in collaboration with various government agencies, educational associations, and higher education institutions. It aims to highlight the community of international students in the Philippines as well as recognize their leadership abilities and inspire them to excel academically and to have a heightened social consciousness.

Over the years, SU international students have been recipients of the award. Past winners include Patrik Norouzi of Iran, Baraka Muvuka of Congo, Diva Putri Wulandari of Indonesia, and Emmanuel Akinbode of Nigeria.