Global Studies Center

There are three (3) primary enterprises at the Center.

1. Stackable online non-curricular programs. This includes short and crash courses, lectures, seminars, master classes for continuing education or recreational learnings. Topics are of general public interest across various disciplines. The Lao GSC will not offer degree programs. A single course may be delivered over the course of days, weeks or months.
2. On-demand Topical Contents. These products are the video recordings of past GSC offerings including pre-recorded contents that are available upon requests.
3. Assessment and certification of competencies. This service will be in collaboration with the SU-TEVEC. Notably, SU-TEVEC is also proposed to be transferred under the system of Open University. The collaboration between the Global Studies Center and SU-TEVEC in the assessment and certification of competencies complements the Open University System’s mission of democratizing education and promoting lifelong learning by providing learners with recognized and industry-relevant credentials. The proposed transfer of SU-TEVEC under the Open University System further strengthens the connection between these entities and enhances their collective capacity to provide learners with high-quality education and training that meets their needs.

Likewise, the Center also serves as a support unit of the university providing educational technology services for the university and the community at large. Specifically, the Center offers:

1. EdTech services to other centers and institutes in the University, course offerors, learners and the GSC community. This include but not limited to instructional designing, content digitization, pedagogical innovations, and technology-oriented assessment and evaluation.
2. Free computer education for diverse learners emphasizing inclusive learning. This includes community extension and service-learning activities such as free computer education for senior citizens, employees, staff, teachers, and students.
3. Collaborations and partnerships with alumni and friends, professional and research organizations, and industries

Silliman University’s niche in offering a Global Studies Center is its commitment to nurturing international relations and building new competencies by studying cultures, economies, and politics. With its long-standing history of providing quality education and promoting cultural diversity, Silliman University is well-positioned to offer a unique and innovative approach to global studies.

Moreover, Silliman University’s proposed Open University System offers a flexible, technology-enhanced learning environment that is accessible to local and international learners. By leveraging the power of technology and innovative teaching methods, Silliman University’s Global Studies Center can reach a broader audience and provide learners with the skills and competencies they need to succeed in an increasingly globalized world.

In addition, the Global Studies Center’s components, such as the Dr. Mariano C. Lao Educational Technology Laboratory and the Dr. Mariano C. Lao Innovation, Creation, and Invention Laboratory for Community Outreach, provide a unique and innovative approach to education and training. These components offer learners with the opportunity to acquire skills and knowledge in technology-oriented flexible learning modalities that are relevant in the workplace and society.

Most importantly, the course offerings will stand out by providing unique micro-credential accreditation points. Likewise, a GSC course will have Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points by the PRC. Thus, the course offerings will be valued by employers and professional bodies. Learners can showcase their professional development and enhance their career prospects.

Course Offering refers to non-curricular programs (including but not limited to seminars, lectures, crash courses, short courses, certificate courses, master classes, and creative performance) for knowledge acquisition, skills development, and life-long learning through technology-oriented flexible learning modality.

Topic. Course Offerings must have a global flavor. It can be of any topic with an intra-cross-multi-inter-trans-disciplinal transfer of knowledge, skills, and competencies. A topic can be a short continuing education or recreational learning, but on topics of public interest and cross different disciplines.

Course Duration. Each course offering should be at least 2 hours. It can run up to months.

Modality. A course can be delivered in different modalities:

Modality 1: Synchronous (100 % live online session via Zoom)
Modality 2: Asynchronous (self-paced, no live session, course materials will be pre-recorded and organized at the SU’s Learning Management System)
Modality 3: Fully Online (Synchronous + Asynchronous)
Modality 4: Blended (Synchronous/Asynchronous + In-Person)
Modality 5: Hybrid (fully online + blended)
Modality 6: Hy-Flex (Hybrid + in-person at GSC)

Approaches. A course can be delivered in different approaches:

Approach 1: Straight Lecture (the lecturer uses visual & interactive presentation like PPT.
Approach 2: Lecture – Demonstration (example: Visual, music, dance, architecture, agriculture, computer programming)
Approach 3: Performances with Open and Close Learning Notes (Example: Recital analysis, coral survey, poetry festival, sports, among others)
Approach 4: Roundtable Discussions (3-4 speakers on multidisciplinary perspective on local and global issues)

The Global Studies Center is among the transformative initiatives of Silliman University, providing learners with flexible, innovative, and high-quality non-degree and training opportunities.  The SU-Lao GSC includes four organizational units to complement its mission and its programs and services. These are: EdTech Services, Non-Degree Offerings, ICI & Community Outreach, Institutional Skills Assessment Center.

1. The EdTech Services will support technology-oriented information & quality, learning management system (LMS) administration, user engagement, network & hardware, instructional systems development, open educational resources (OER).
2. The Non-Degree Offerings, the heart of the enterprise, will offer courses in different categories and modalities with on-demand streaming feature.
3. The Innovation, Creation, and Invention (ICI) Laboratory will be transferred and to continue operating the free computer education for senior citizens, students, and the community as well as the SU Alumni Engagement Program.
4. The Institutional Skills Assessment Center, in collaboration with SU TEVEC, and other continuing professional development, will offer skills evaluation and accreditation system to skilled learners who wished to have skills certification.

The Global Studies Center is managed by a team of experienced educators, administrators, and technical staff who are dedicated to providing learners with high-quality education and training opportunities.