CSPC holds international webinar on Strategic Planning and Mentoring for Internationalization

The Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges (CSPC), through the Office of International Linkages and Public Affairs, spearheaded by Director Filmor J. Murillo, in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education International Affairs Staff (CHED-IAS), organized the Institutional Strategic Planning and Mentoring Session for Internationalization on August 18-20, 2020. Dr. Charlito P. Cadag (CSPC SUC President III) opened the said event by recounting CSPC’s history and looked forward to forging partnerships and future collaborations with other Foreign Higher Education Institutions all over the world, while CSPC Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria Laarni M. Salcedo emphasized the event’s rationale and formally presented the institution.

Professor Amir Mahmood (Dean, School of Business Western Sydney University, Australia) delivered the keynote message remarking on the distinction, demarcation, connection and alignment as well as the equal emphasis with Internationalization at home and abroad. He also stated that “Internationalization is not a goal but a process. It depends on the resources strategies, resource deployments, and what the institution wants to achieve.” He further discussed about the role of International Strategy and Framework, and the Challenges at Institutional Level in Internationalization of Higher Education. Afterwards, the CESO IV Deputy Executive Director, Director of CHED IAS; Atty. Lily Frieda M. Milla discoursed on the Philippine Higher Education in the New Normal. Then, Dr. Donludee Jaisut (Associate Dean, International Relations, Faculty of Agriculture Kasetsart University, Thailand) talked about “Pre, Present and Post CoViD-19 Strategic Journey of Higher Education Institutions – Kasetsart University”.

The morning session was concluded with a conference via Google Meet where Dr. Hsing Hao Wu (Dean, Office of International Affairs, National University of Kaoshiung, Taiwan) enlighted the participants on their institution’s experience of preventing CoViD-19 pandemic risk in National University of Kaohsiung. The afternoon session highlighted the topic “Reimagining Higher Education in the New Normal Innovative and Inclusive Internationalization” tackled by Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer of Tarlac Agricultural University. The conference’s second day begun with the talk of Dr. Narongrit Muangmai (Associate Dean, Academic Affairs) from Kasetsart University in Thailand on “Kasetsart University Fisheries Program: International Expansion under the New Normal”. It was followed by the discussion of Dr. Jeongho “Daniel” Cha (Professor, Department of Chemistry Education, College of Education, Daegu University) on “The Blessings Brought About by the CoViD-19 Pandemic from the Eyes of a Global Educator”. Next was Ms. Rithika Thomas (Project SHEA Lead) from Singapore who gave insights on the “Project-based learning for Filipino Student Innovators Project Shea”. Afterwards, Dr. Yazrina Yahya (Deputy Director, Center for Leadership Sustainability Higher Education Leadership Academy (AKEPT) Malaysia discussed about “The Power and Importance of Communication on Internationalization Amidst the Pandemic”.

The afternoon session centered on the presentation of Ms. Jennifer Montero (Regional Manager, Camosun College, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada) regarding “ReSpaCE The Redesign of Specialized access to Connectivity and Engagement – A Globalized Delivery of Internationalization Programs.” The last leg of the forum commenced with the topic, “Beyond Pandemic Considerations: The IZN Agenda” by Br. Manuel Pajarillo FSC, PhD (Vice Chancellor of Research, De La Salle Lipa) from Lipa City, Batangas. Dr. Jenny Balboa (Project Consultant Asian Development Bank Institute and Professor from Tokyo University for Foreign Studies in Hosei University, Tokyo.) informed the participants about “Lifting Lives in ASEAN: Social Inclusion Strategies in times of Pandemic”. Discussion on “Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember Internationalization Strategy through an E-Program discussion by Professor Muhammad Wahyu Islami Pratama (Program Manager, Study Abroad Program and ComTECH Camp, ITS International Office, Surabaya) from Indonesia, along with Dr. Octaviyanti Dwi Wahyurini, S.T., M.Appdesart (Senior Manager of ITS Global Engagement Office on Promotion and Mobility ITS Surabaya – Indonesia) followed.

After which, Prof. Murillo, the overall facilitator of the event, gave his words of gratitude. And, Mr. Hector J. Gloria, Jr. (Direct Communication and Resident Consultant of CHED-IAS Philippines) wrapped up the mentoring session with the topic “Internationalization in the Experience Economy IZN Communication Quotient”. The CSPC Director for Publication, Ms. Janessa Angustia A. Martinez was the moderator of the three-day event.

The said webinar and online mentoring was organized to jumpstart CSPC’s effort toward internationalization by establishing a mentee-mentor relationship with the Commission on Higher Education and facilitate the establishment of partnership with Foreign Higher Institutions for future linkages and collaboration.