iUIC: Internationalization Approach for UIC

Internationalization is one of the ways the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC) responds to the impact of globalization. The impacts of globalization, technological advancement, and trade investment liberalization under the WTO framework have prompted the Philippines to play a more active role regionally and internationally. The direction of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is changed to respond to these global challenges to produce quality human resources that could function well in a knowledge-based society. UIC aims to be recognized as an international leader in global higher education and research.

In moving forward, the University identifies strategic priorities and firmly believes that it’s necessary to identify its goals and priorities concerning global education and internationalization. This would heighten the quality of teaching and learning through international outlook and academic cooperation with higher education institutions and education organizations both regionally and internationally.

For this reason, an institutional model to fully envision a cohesive system of resources, plans, systems, and procedures is formulated to develop its potential while simultaneously meeting the current demands of the UIC community. This framework ultimately will lead to one constructive plan to internationalize the University actively.

The model emphasizes ten dimensions of development, namely:

  1. Research Collaboration
  2. International Standard of Curriculum Structure (OBE/AUN)
  3. International Quality Assurance
  4. Mobility of Student and Faculty
  5. ICT Development
  6. Twinning Program
  7. Partnership and Linkages
  8. Instructional Materials Development
  9. Cross-Cultural Adaptation Program
  10. International Training for Human Resource
  1. Research Collaboration. The University should create systems of linkages and collaboration with other leading universities, institutions, and industries for various fields of interest. UIC should take the lead in conducting international research for students, faculty, and personnel and continue supporting university-based research to facilitate its pursuit of development and excellence. Further, the University should identify faculty for Research and Development to establish various research and development agendas available for undergraduate, graduate, and faculty research under the close supervision of R & D faculty.
  2. ICT Development. Full maximization of ICT resources and updated technological resources to enhance student learning through distance, mixed-mode online and virtual classrooms, and digital libraries are important vehicles towards internationalization and open classrooms. The University needs to implement these curricular enhancements to be at par with other ASEAN schools and universities.
  3. International Standard of Curriculum Structure. The University must ensure that curricular offerings meet international standards regarding course descriptions and inclusive bachelor, graduate, and post-graduate years. The standard of competencies for basic and tertiary education should be recognized with the Seoul Accord, Washington Accord, and Bologna Accord. Faculty with international training and expertise must be considered by allowing existing local faculty to study abroad or to go for scholarly research and international publications.
  4. Twinning Program. To go international, the University should design curricula parallel with international schools using dual or 2-2 programs. Twinning programs can be arranged with other international universities or colleges and universities in other places in the country. Degree-giving institutions will depend upon the established dual program relationships. Corresponding MOUs must be prepared to clarify the scope and parameters of each participating school in the dual program. Learning delivery modes could be mixed-mode and online or online and video conferencing.
  5. International Quality Assurance. The University should look into submitting itself to international quality assurance through PAASCU, ISO, or a public organization like the ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA).
  6. Partnership and Linkages. International collaborative relationships must be established and sustained. It must establish and recognize regional cooperation among Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and a diverse portfolio of international partners. Further, to actively engage in these activities: a) participation within and outside the ASEAN Region academic opportunities such as forums, skills competitions, and others; b) alliances with renowned and outstanding Higher Education Institutions for dual or twinning programs, faculty, and student exchange programs, cooperative research network for academic strength and recognition; c) regular communication and coordination with the HEIs and other educational organizations.
  7. Mobility of Student and Faculty. UIC should provide students, faculty, and academic personnel opportunities for experiential learning and practical application of knowledge, skills, and competencies across cultural skills with other school institutions or industries within and outside the ASEAN Region.
    Faculty can teach abroad (like Fulbright scholarships) under the faculty exchange program. The University will encourage and support faculty and students to become members of international organizations.
  8. Instructional Materials Development. The University encourages and supports the revision of comprehensive curricula and instructional materials that are products of research. A strong committee for producing instructional materials, modules, and workbooks should be created to monitor breadth and content, language considerations, global and gender perspectives, and, most notably, protection from plagiarism and copyright law issues.
  9. Cross-Cultural Adaptation Program. The University should prepare a cultural orientation program to promote a better understanding of the cultural differences between international students and the locals and the locals with the indigenous people. It should also provide measures to avoid possible racial or religious discrimination.
  10. International Training Programs for Human Resources. The University should offer short-term courses or long-term training programs and other initiatives that will lead to understanding various cultures and learning exchange among people involved in cross-border mobility. The training programs include acculturation through Language and Culture Bridging programs for students and faculty.

iUIC Branding
iUIC: A Premier Institution and Forerunner on
iNNOVATION, iNTEGRATION, iNTERNATIONALIZATION and Quality Education

Innovation:
The capacity to find better ways of creating something or applying better results will be a critical distinguishing competence of UIC in the international global arena.

Integration:
UIC’s key driver will be meeting the increasing needs and support of high academic standards, which requires academic attention and the capacity to harness resources across diverse organization and location promptly and competently.

Internationalization:
This is the ability to facilitate and cultivate sufficient integration of groups of students, individuals, and organizations to promote intercultural understanding and facilitate integration between local and non-local students of different cultural backgrounds to interact and learn from each other.

It facilitates and allows flexibility access to world resources and opens doors for the export of the University’s best ideas, services, and talents. This is where strong, informed, and skill-full leaders at all levels throughout the University are needed for a successful and comprehensive internationalization.