UNESCO Bangkok (2007) recognizes studies, diplomas and degrees in higher education in Asia and the Pacific as indicated in the "Ninth Session of the Regional Committee Meeting" in Seoul on May 22-23, 2007. It highlights the policies, standards and guidelines on Transnational Education (TNE) of the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED) or CMO No. 6 s. 2003. Thus, the need to offer transnational education in Bangkok, Hong Kong and even Californina was addressed.
After five years of conceptualization and planning, under the leadership of Dr. Robert Galindez, president of St. Robert's Training and Management Center (SRTMC) and his managing partner Mr. Francis Basco, SKPSC Bangkok Off-campus Program was officially launched through enrollment and orientation at First Hotel Bangkok on October 12, 2008. Its launching by SRTMC/SRIA is under the mandate of SKPSC Board of Trustees Resolution No. 2008-37, s. 2008, as shown below:
SRTMC/SRIA's legal operation in Bangkok is a joint venture between Saen Sabai Company Ltd and St. Robert's Training and Management Center. Composed of 14 teacher-trainees, Dr. Sunny Gabinete taught the first face-to-face course "Principles of Teaching" on October 25-26, 2008. Dr. Robert Galindez followed teaching the second course Educational Management on November 15-16, 2008 with 64% enrollment increase, thus making the class size to 23 students and more international: Filipinos, Indians and Chinese.
Twenty-four (24) students graduated as first batch with the Graduate Diploma in Teaching on March 29, 2009 at Baiyoke Suite Hotel. The 8th grand graduation exercise was a joint ceremony between Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College (SKPSC) and International Academy of Management and Economics (IAME) (the two leading affiliations of SRTMC/SRIA). Very Important People who attended are the following: Dr. Nona S. Ricafort, Commissioner on Higher Education, Republic of the Philippines; Augusto “Boboy’ Syjuco, Secretary and TESDA Director General; Mr. Benigno N. Ricafort, President & CEO of Clark Development Corporation; Dr. Usira Anomasiri, Member of the Teacher’s Council of Thailand; President, PSTAT; Consul Edgar B. Badajos to represent Ambassador Antonio Rodriguez, Philippine Ambassador to Thailand; (supposedly Dr. Ramon Ricardo Roque, Deputy Secretary General of the House of Representatives, Republic of the Philippines, who immediately went to China); Dr. Emmanuel T. Santos, President of International Academy of Management and Economics; and Dr. Teresita L. Cambel, President of Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College.
The graduates of SKPSC are facilitated by Private School Teachers' Association of Thailand, headed by Dr. Usira Anomasiri, in securing their teaching license from the Teachers' Council of Thailand. With the quality of education from a very highly accredited state college (becoming university this year), graduates are assured of their certification.
Recently, the need of students from different parts of Thailand for a modified modular approach has arisen. SRIA/SRTMC is quick enough to respond to the need and customizes a modular trimedia delivery mode, hence, the present Modular Online Learning for any degrees from Bachelor's to Doctorate. Thirty-five (35) out of 63 applicants are officially enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Teaching for the third trimester, February-May 2009. Others are still waiting for their program class size and modules. Enrollees come from different countries, such as the USA, the UK, Ireland, Kenya and the Philippines.
Enrollment is still going on. You may apply online now.
SRTMC/SRIA is affiliated with International Academy of Management and Economics, Sultan Kudarat Polytechnic State College, Philippine Christian University and Our Lady of Fatima University. It is currently extending programs in Hong Kong.