Responding to the changing landscape of Philippine higher education brought about by the challenges of globalization particularly that of the ASEAN Economic Integration, the University of Santo Tomas has integrated international perspectives into its curricular and co-curricular programs, projects and activities, permeating its three major functions: teaching, research and service engagement. To centralize the internationalization efforts of the University of Santo Tomas, the Office of International Relations and Programs (OIRP) was established in 2013 with Prof. Lilian J. Sison, Ph.D. as Director. The OIRP facilitates international linkages and partnerships with universities and organizations to strengthen teaching delivery, research engagement, student development and mobility.

In support of the efforts of the OIRP, the College of Education, through the Office of the Dean and the Coordinator for International Relations, has forged linkages with reputable educational institutions abroad. Through its Project OPINE (Opening Pathways for International Networking and Exchange), it has engaged in international cooperation activities by organizing international conferences and colloquies with experts from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan, among others. In AY 2016-2017, the College of Education has invited a total of 33 foreign speakers in the fields of Education; Food Science and Nutrition; and Library & Information Science. At present, the College of Education has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Regional Center for Innovation Technology (SEAMEO-InnoTech), the Universiti Sains Malaysia, and St. Mary’s University in Twickenham, London.

The Coordinator for International Relations supervises the student mobility programs of the College of Education, both inbound and outbound; recommends global courses in the curriculum; and cooperates and assists in the organization of joint international activities with its foreign partners. For the AY 2016-2017, four (4) Food Technology students were accepted as recipients of the ASEAN International Mobility for Students (AIMS) program of the SEAMEO-RIHED.

Assoc. Prof. Joel L. Adamos