By Dr. Anna May A. Yap-Zerrudo

Central Philippine University is now a member of SEAMEO Schools’ Network. This network of schools in the ASEAN Region which was established in 2015 aims to serve as a “Network of Sharing and Development” platform among public and private educational institutions at all levels in all 11 Southeast Asian countries (Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, Vietnam).

Being a member of this network, the member academic institutions will gain beneficial opportunities to participate in the capacity development and innovative educational programs, designed and conducted by the 26 SEAMEO Regional Centers and SEAMEO partners.

Aside from capacity development opportunities, CPU will have the chance to boost its international profile and visibility in international contexts, and build a network and partnership with other member educational institutions around the globe through SEAMEO’s online communication platforms. In the institutional level, CPU will receive newsletters about ongoing SEAMEO programs, training courses, and activities that cover various topics within the fields of education, science, and culture in the region, as well as receive an invitation to participate in SEAMEO regional programs for the institution level such as SEAMEO Webinars; Schools Nutrition Development Programmes; SEAMEO Schools’ Fit Programme; Digital Learning in Southeast Asia; SEAMEO-Japan ESD Awards; and SEAMEO Mobility Programme.

Moreover, CPU’s faculty and staff are set to also benefit from this network membership in terms of capacity development of educational leaders, school administrators, and teachers through various training courses/workshops/seminars in both online and face-to-face platforms, access to learning materials produced by SEAMEO Regional Centers and SEAMEO partners, and receive an invitation to participate in SEAMEO regional competitions and award schemes for personnel levels.

Opportunities such as receiving an invitation to participate in SEAMEO regional competitions and award schemes, and an invitation to join online and mobile training courses designed to develop 21st-century skills for students will also be available for CPU students.

Central Philippine University’s readiness to meet the requirements of SEAMEO made it to the list of SEAMEO Schools’ Network. These requirements are the following:

● Has dedicated personnel with English proficiency to participate in any activities conducted by SEAMEO Regional Centers, SEAMEO stakeholders, and partners

● Has the basic capacity of ICT and Internet access at the institutions

● Has strong interest and willingness indicators: the institutional leader has clearly expressed an interest to participate in this network

● Has clear policy and operational plan on the partnership with other institutions in the intercultural community

● Has accreditation from the government of the respective country SEAMEO as a regional inter-governmental organization leads the countries in South East Asia in promoting regional cooperation and human resource development in education, science, and culture.

Ref: SEAMEO Schools Network 2020 https://www.seameo.org/Main_programme/245