Opportunities and Challenges for Academic Institutions in the Era of Internationalization: Proceedings of the First CPH Academic Roundtable, 31 January 2017, Manila, Philippines

Abstract

The College of Public Health of the University of the Philippines Manila plays an important role in health
systems strengthening in the region in its capacity as the Regional Centre for Public Health, Hospital
Administration, Environmental and Occupational Health of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education
Organization Tropical Medicine and Public Health Network (SEAMEO TROPMED Network). The diversity in
contexts, race, culture, and language brought about by the internationalization of an academic institution's
student body means that faculty members must not only be technically knowledgeable, but also contextually and culturally aware and sensitive, to be able to fully respond to the needs of foreign students who elect to study abroad. It is in this context that this activity was proposed. Seeking to address the question “How do we adequately prepare the faculty and the curriculum to take on a more global approach to public health education?,” the College invited three resource persons – the Deputy Coordinator of the SEAMEO TROPMED Network, Director of the UP Manila Office for International Linkages, and the Dean of the UP Manila College of Nursing – to a roundtable discussion among faculty and professional staff. This paper presented a summary of the discussion points that emerged from the event.