CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS AND LINKAGES (CIAL)

BACKGROUND

Commitment to Institutional Vision and Mission

Anchoring on its mission to be an academic institution providing quality instruction, developing innovative researches and engaging in responsive extension programs; that is committed to produce competent and socially responsible individuals who can carry out responsibilities for the local communities and global community, the Central Mindanao Colleges has been consistently reaching out to its internal and external stakeholders especially from academic institutions, research institutes, private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the country and abroad to be able to develop its human and logistical resources in order to contribute to the achievement of its vision to be a premier academic institution providing holistic education in pursuit for global excellence.

For 75 years of CMC, one of the priorities of the institution is to build meaningful collaborations and linkages with local and international partners in pursuit of sustaining the academic and non-academic excellence the college has been providing to its clientele as well its partner communities.

RATIONALE

In 2016, through Memorandum Order No. 55[i], the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has affirmed the importance of Internationalization of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Article II of the CMO enumerates its objectives which includes to (a) articulate the Philippine higher education internationalization policy to provide national perspective and context for various initiatives related to internationalization as well as (d) to set the principles to guide Philippine HEIs in pursuing internationalization.

Defining Internationalization

Knight (2003) defines internationalization of higher education in its broadest sense involves the integration of international, intercultural or global dimensions to HEIs purpose, functions and/or delivery[ii]. Knight and de Wit (1997) also described it to involve the process of interchange of higher education between nations, between national systems of higher education and between institutions of higher education.

Section 2 of the CMO 55 s. 2016 also underscored that there are two (2) pillars of internationalization: (1) home-based (within national borders) and (2) cross-border which are closely linked and are interdependent. The former takes place through collaborations and linkages with foreign HEIs, often enabled by information technology, without the stakeholders involved moving out of the national territories while the latter can involve mobility of concerned stakeholders.

Considering the aforementioned pillars, CMC has been involved mostly on home-based Internationalization but is hopeful that in due time, it can also be involved in cross border initiatives once necessary requirements are complied.

In compliance to the aforementioned CMO and to manifest its commitment to uphold the significance of internationalization in the system of the institution, the Central Mindanao Colleges has officially established the Center for International Affairs and Linkages (CIAL).

CENTER OBJECTIVES

The Center for International Affairs and Linkages (CIAL) is mandated to:

a. Collect quarterly , maintain regularly and monitor the records local and international linkages and collaborations of all offices of the institution;

b. lead in establishing and monitoring institutional linkages and partnerships with local and foreign academic and non-academic institutions to initiate local and international programs, projects and activities;

c. consolidate and promote academic and non-academic foreign exchange programs, international conferences, trainings, workshops and other related activities;

d. assist in the processing of application of CMC undergraduate and graduate students/ alumni who are interested in foreign exchange programs and further studies;

e. assist in the processing of necessary documents of faculty and researchers of CMC and of partner foreign institutions involved in research collaborations in the country and abroad;

&nbspl

CENTER KEY PROGRAMS

The CIAL shall offer services including but not limited to:

1. RECORDS KEEPING OF LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL LINKAGES AND COLLABORATIONS

The center shall be the primary office of the institution that shall facilitate the inventory, consolidation and monitoring of the local and international linkages and collaborations setup by the different offices of CMC. To be specific, it shall:

a. provide appropriate templates for inventory forms, partnership documents such as Memorandum of Agreements / Understanding, and other necessary documents;

b. collect quarterly the soft and hard copies of the partnership documents as well as other materials used to document the conduct of the collaboration activities such as accomplishment report, photo documentation and others;

c. input and update regularly the records of local and international linkages and partnerships; and

d. onsite and online conduct monitoring of recorded collaborations

2. ESTABLISHMENT AND MONITORING OF INSTITUTIONAL LINKAGES & PARTNERSHIPS

Other than office-based initiatives, the center shall lead in initiating the establishment of institutional linkages and collaborations with local and international internal and external stakeholders. To be specific, it shall:

a. Lead or partner with specific offices in the development of project proposals / concept notes and other relevant documents;

b. draft institutional partnership documents such as as MOA, MOU, etc;

c. conduct exploratory and coordination meetings with existing and potential partners

d. represent CMC in onsite and online roadshows and other events to meet potential local and international partners

e. prepare annual budget plan for the realization of institutional partnerships

3. DISSEMINATION OF FOREIGN CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

To encourage the participation of CMC’s students, faculty, staff as well as alumni and other external stakeholders in foreign capacity development opportunities, the center shall:

a. gather and disseminate important details of these opportunities such as trainings, conferences, workshops and others through onsite and online platforms of CMC;

b. coordinate with organizers to gather further details and possible partnerships;

c. coordinate with specific concerned offices, departments and organizations in CMC and of its local partners which are suitable for the identified international opportunity; and

d. prepare annual budget plan for the conduct of information gathering and dissemination of opportunities; and

e. conduct necessary events to disseminate information about foreign learning opportunities

4. ASSISTANCE IN PROCESSING OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE PROGRAM, FURTHER STUDIES & RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS

Considering that engaging in further personal and professional development opportunities outside the country requires preparation of appropriate documents, the center shall:

a. coordinate with organizers, partner institution in the identification of complete requirements;

b. coordinate with government agencies which shall process the documents needed for international travel and engagements such as Department of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Immigration, Commission on Higher Education, etc.;

c. assist the concerned personnel and stakeholder in their financial and logistical needs (whenever possible and necessary) as they participate and engage with international programs

CHED Memorandum Order No. 55 s. 2016

https://ched.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/CMO-55-s.-2016.pdf

[1]  Updating the Definition of Internationalization

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/248809738_Updated_Internationalization_Definition