The Catanduanes State University (CSU) has been listed as one of the new members of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization- Technical Education and Vocational Training (SEA-TVET/SEA-Polytechnic) among Colleges, Polytechnics and Universities of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. This was bared on February 4, 2020 by Dr. Joseph G. Zafe, Director of CSU’s International Relations and Continuing Professional Development Services (IRCPDS) Office. This enlistment is geared for the 5th Batch of SEA-TVET/SEA-Polytechnic Student Exchange in 2020. Along with this, a meeting on Student Internship Program (SIP) among the faculty was held February 10, 2020 at the Graduate School Student Lounge. Dr. Minerva I. Morales, CSU President, signed the Letter of Agreement concerning the Program as one of the new members. To date, there are around 152 member institutions in the program including the CSU across the ASEAN countries. The CSU’s joining in the list strengthened its internalization efforts, giving way for more opportunities and advancement in the different study areas. It was revealed that the agreement will be implemented in reciprocal way. The 5th batch of SEA-TVET/SEA-Polytechnic Student Exchange Programme will be applied for Diploma and Bachelor students. The major study areas included, but not limited to the following: Mechatronics, Electronics, Electrical, Mechanical and Manufacturing; Industrial Technology, Informatics/ Computer Science, Hospitality and Tourism; Agriculture, Aquaculture, Animal Science, Fisheries; Agro Technology/ Agro Business; Food Technology, Business, Commerce and Accounting; Creative Industry, Multimedia, Civil Engineering, Health Science/ Nursing and Public Health. It was revealed that each participating institution should submit the list of eligible students for at least 2 students with the same gender in equal number, but not more than 6 students in the identified study area with the name of potential partners to SEAMO Secretariat for mapping. The institutions, as bared by Dr. Zafe, will start the 5th batch of exchange for 1 to 3 months, anytime within the preferred traveling schedule or options within the span of March until August 2020. A pre-requisite to travel of students is an International Health Insurance, while Receiving Institutions may advance expenses for hospitalization, in any case, subject to the reimbursement by parents. It was also learned that under this program, the Receiving Institution will primarily be responsible for partnering with industries according to the study areas and agreed internship period of inbound students, aside from providing mentors, accommodations, and buddies for inbound students.
