Pangasinan State University (PSU) had set another move in pursuit to the roadmap of internationalization as it steered an orientation program taking a deeper understanding about internationalization last March 06, 2017 at the PSU Convention Hall in the speakership of Dr. Ricardo P. Pama.
Dr. Pama is the secretary general of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP), a non-governmental organization that holds the highest consultation rights with the UNESCO. He spoke before the PSU officials with the topic, “Asia: The Next Higher Education Superpower, Quo Vadis Philippines?” which is one among his authored books. He highlighted in his discussion a synopsis on how the higher education institutions in the ASEAN region are fast transitioning towards a global standards. He presented the global issues and trends covering the drives of the ASEAN countries like Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
Moreover, he emphasized that internationalization is different from globalization. Based on his report presentation cited to Knight (1999), globalization of higher education is the flow of dominant technology and knowledge across borders, while internationalization of higher education is one of the ways a country responds to the impact of globalization, yet at the same time respect the individuality of the nation.
Along with his talk, he commended PSU by underscoring a quote, “To dream is free. Dream big” along with PSU’s strategic goals toward a global approach of quality service delivery. Since it can be recalled that PSU has institutionalized its enhanced quality management system with the ISO 9001:2015 standards.
Meanwhile, PSU officials were given the opportunity to raise their concerns and queries to Dr. Pama for further clarification on the internationalization of higher education institutions in the country.
Dr. Ricardo P. Pama speaking before the PSU officials on internationalization.