RUISELEDE, BELGIUM — A new vision for community-based elderly care took center stage as Saint Mary’s University (SMU) joined Curando and its partners for the inauguration of the new St. Jozef care facility on Sept. 2, 2026, in Ruiselede, Belgium. The occasion brought together partners and stakeholders to celebrate a facility designed not simply as a place for care, but as a community where people can live, connect, and belong.

Representing SMU at the inauguration were University President Dr. John Octavious S. Palina and Dr. Clara M. Gonzales, Head of the Internationalization Office. Their participation underscored SMU’s continuing partnership with Curando and the University’s efforts to strengthen international collaboration in healthcare and professional mobility.

At the heart of St. Jozef is its “village within a village” concept—an approach that reimagines residential care as an active part of community life. Rather than separating older adults from the surrounding community, the facility creates spaces and opportunities for interaction among residents, families, caregivers, visitors, and the wider community. Shared amenities, including a bistro and park, help make the facility an inviting space where social connection and everyday community life can flourish.

The concept also reflects Curando’s broader vision of care that recognizes the diverse needs and capacities of older adults. Residents who are still independent can live alongside those who require greater assistance, fostering an environment built around inclusion, dignity, and mutual connection. In this setting, care becomes part of a larger community ecosystem rather than the defining boundary of residents’ lives.

For SMU, the inauguration was an opportunity to deepen its collaboration with Curando and vzw Chinta, its partner in the implementation of Project Maalaga, a partnership that prepares qualified Filipino nurses for professional opportunities in Belgium. The visit provided SMU representatives with firsthand insight into the Belgian healthcare environment while allowing them to engage with partners on the progress of existing initiatives and possibilities for expanded cooperation. The group also toured other care homes, including De Medemens, Avida, and Mintus, and visited the Parliament in Brussels for discussions on labor migration, providing a broader perspective on the policies and realities surrounding international healthcare mobility.

The St. Jozef inauguration represented another step in building international partnerships that connect education, professional mobility, healthcare, and service. As SMU continues to expand its global engagements, its collaboration with Curando, Chinta, and other healthcare partners demonstrates how internationalization can create pathways for its graduates while contributing to more compassionate and community-centered care.