Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
Through sustained international engagement, Central Mindanao University (CMU), through its College of Education, continues to strengthen its role in developing globally competent teachers as it completed its latest deployment of pre-service teachers to Thailand following a monitoring visit and partnership engagements from February 18 to 28, 2026.
The internship program forms part of CMU’s continuing partnership with Takpittayakhom School, which began in 2018 and was renewed in 2024 under a memorandum of agreement (MOA). For the current deployment, which ran from November 30, 2025, to February 28, 2026, two pre-service teachers from the College of Education were assigned to Takpittayakhom School.
The CMU delegation, composed of College of Education Dean Julie Ann A. Orobia, Student Teaching Supervisor Prof. Gladys S. Escarlos, and International Relations Office (IRO) Coordinator Prof. Joanne E. Bermillo, conducted classroom observations, consultations with cooperating teachers, and meetings with school officials to monitor the interns’ progress and ensure the quality of the international internship program.
The monitoring visit concluded with a culmination activity where the interns presented narrative reports of their teaching experiences before school administrators, academic heads, and cooperating teachers.
Furthermore, the delegation held exploratory meetings and site inspections with Vayupak Nara School and Satriwithaya School as part of efforts to expand CMU’s academic partnerships in Thailand.
According to Prof. Bermillo, the in-person engagement with prospective partners plays a crucial role in strengthening institutional linkages.
“Our recent visits to the schools marked a significant step in advancing the college’s and the university’s international strategic plan to strengthen partnerships and expand networks. Presenting the MOA in person established credibility and demonstrated our commitment to building meaningful, long-term collaborations,” Prof. Bermillo said.
She added that face-to-face engagement also allows institutions to foster clearer communication and deeper cultural understanding, which are essential in building sustainable international partnerships.
Meanwhile, Dr. Orobia emphasized that Thailand continues to be an important partner in the university’s efforts to internationalize teacher education.
“Thailand remains a prospective partner for future internship batches as it promotes quality education through international collaboration and professional development. It allows pre-service teachers to experience diverse teaching practices and develop skills for multicultural learning,” she said.
Dr. Orobia added that the College of Education is also exploring opportunities to expand its international linkages within Southeast Asia.
“The College of Education aims to expand partnerships in Thailand and other Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia to increase internship opportunities and prepare globally competent educators,” she said.
Since the partnership began, CMU has deployed several batches of pre-service teachers to Takpittayakhom School. The first batch, deployed from July to October 2019, consisted of four interns specializing in Health and Physical Education, Science, and Mathematics. The second batch, sent from January to April 2020, also included four interns before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international mobility. During the pandemic, the third batch conducted virtual teaching engagements from December 2021 to March 2022. The most recent deployment marks the continuation of CMU’s international internship program through renewed mobility and strengthened collaboration.
This initiative contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education), which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all by equipping future educators with global teaching exposure and cross-cultural competencies. [Iyren Dalipe Neri]
