Dr. Mariano C. Lao Global Studies Center
The University needs to enhance its internal capacity, systems, and culture to ensure the level of readiness and quality of delivery at Silliman University to respond to the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution . The University Roadmap for 2020-2023 speaks about technological advances, high-speed mobile Internet, AI and automation, big data analytics, and cloud technology. Moreover, even before the covid pandemic, online distance learning has been encouraged to include “transnational education” that CHED and the British Council actively promote.
A Center for Global Studies (CGS), located on the fifth floor of the Portal East Building, envisions Silliman to nurture international relations and build new competencies by studying cultures, economies, and politics. The Center is significant and timely in this unprecedented time, especially when online education is positioned as part of the new normal.
Vision
To be a hub for creating new, globally oriented, intra-cross-multi-inter-trans-disciplinal global studies and training in online modalities.
Mission
To provide opportunities for students and life-long learners acquire skills through technology-oriented flexible learning modalities to be relevant in the workplace and the society.
Goals
The Dr. Mariano C. Lao Global Studies Center of Silliman University has the following goals:
- Provide ICT-enabled learning strategies to other centers & institutes in the University in extending and/or strengthening their programs.
- Deliver stackable, online non-curricular programs for knowledge acquisition, skills development, master classes, and life-long learning through technology-enhanced flexible learning modality catering to local and international learners;
- Provide an avenue for technology-oriented community engagement and service-learning by offering free computer education and collaborating with alumni, and international professional & research organizations for global learning opportunities
Components and Highlights
The Center provides opportunities for students and life-long learners to acquire skills through technology-oriented flexible learning modalities to be relevant in the workplace and the society. Primarily, it has the following components:
- Mariano C. Lao Educational Technology Support
- Non-Degree Open Online Courses (OOCs)
- Socialized, Mainstream, Specialized Courses
- Synchronous, Asynchronous, Hybrid, Hy-flex Courses
- On-Demand Streaming
- Mariano C. Lao Innovation, Creation, and Invention Laboratory (ICI) for Community Outreach
- Computer Education Program
- SU Alumni Engagement Program
- Mariano C. Lao Institutional Skills Assessment
Remarkable highlights include:
- The Center is a facility for short continuing education or recreational learning, but on topics of general public interest and across different disciplines. It will not offer degree programs but only short courses, lectures, and seminars.
- The Center is an opportunity for Silliman University to welcome a new cohort of clients/students. The Center will serve as another source of income for the University and faculty members. Short courses and seminars offered at the Center are standalone topics, and participation is for a fee.
- The Center will not replace any existing specialized centers of the University. It will serve as the liaison and support to these centers to increase its reach through cyberspace. The Center will provide learning technology support to existing engagements like certificate training offered with the Silliman Association of New England (SANE) and Silliman University Alumni Council of North America (SUACONA) Alumni Professional Engagement Program[1]and other alumni and professional organizations.
- The Center will be a support unit to augment the university’s action towards internalization and globalization, emphasizing the new normal of teaching and learning. The Center will be an additional accreditation exhibit of Silliman’s initiatives for international partnership and linkages.
- The Center will benefit Silliman students for their enrichment and advanced equivalent certificate courses. It will widen students’ access to Silliman education, including graduate/post-graduate students and adult learners.