First Graduates in Bachelor of Vision Science Graduate Aug. 8

Pacific University will celebrate its first class of graduates from its new bachelor of applied vision science program at its summer commencement on Aug. 8.

The BAVS program, offered by the College of Optometry in partnership with several higher education institutes in China and Taiwan, serves college students and professionals from those countries with an interest in clinical, corporate and other professional settings in Asia.

Optometric education is limited in China, where more than half of the 1.4 billion population suffer from myopia, or near-sightedness. Students in the program spend a year at Pacific University’s Forest Grove Campus, focusing on study of the visual system, with an emphasis on behavioral optometry.

Nine students have completed the program and will receive their degrees this August.

Among them was Peiran Si BAVS ’20, who plans to stay at Pacific for two more years pursuing her master’s in vision science.

“This was a nice trip and I enjoyed it,” Si said. “All staff here are friendly, and they are always willing to help. All professors are knowledgeable, and I enjoyed the office hour time with them.”

Guo Meng BAVS ’20, who plans to return to Tianjin, China, said she also had a good experience and met many friends during her time in the U.S.

“They give me lots of help, like take me to shopping, help me study English,” she said.

Graduates of the BAVS program are among more than 300 students who will receive graduate or professional degrees in August, primarily in health-related fields. Though the traditional commencement ceremony has been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, a virtual commencement celebration will debut at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, on the university’s YouTube channel to recognize the graduates.

(Photo: Professor Yu-Chi Tai heads the BAVS program at Pacific)