Dr. Sonia B. Siago, Director for Library Services and Development, and Dr. Valoree B. Salamanca, Director for Student Admission and Records attended an International Staff Mobility (ISM) Program hosted by the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) in Surabaya, Indonesia, from April 28 to May 4, 2024. The initiative is titled “One Week Experience in ITS.”
The ISM, sponsored by ITS, aimed to foster academic collaboration and exchange among participants from Turkey, Russia, Spain, Uzbekistan, etc.
Dr. Siago and Dr. Salamanca seized the opportunity to delve into the academic milieu of ITS, immersing themselves in a week-long itinerary filled with seminars, workshops, cultural tours, and interactive sessions—including a partnership assembly. This is an opportunity for participating universities to network and promote their institutions to other guests.
For Dr. Siago, the program provided a platform to explore innovative approaches to library services and development. Engaging with counterparts at ITS, she exchanged ideas and best practices, seeking inspiration to enhance DMMMSU’s library facilities and resources. Dr. Salamanca, on the other hand, delved into the intricacies of student admission and records management, gleaning insights from ITS’s administrative frameworks to streamline processes back at DMMMSU.
Reflecting on their participation, both directors emphasized the significance of international collaborations in advancing academic excellence. Dr. Siago underscored the pivotal role of libraries as dynamic hubs of knowledge dissemination and acquisition. At the same time, Dr. Salamanca highlighted the importance of efficient admission and records management in ensuring a seamless academic journey for students.
The International Staff Mobility Program facilitated professional growth and fostered cross-cultural understanding and friendship. During their cultural trip to the famous Bromo Mountain, Dr. Siago and Dr. Salamaca forged connections with educators and administrators from diverse backgrounds, envisioning potential avenues for future collaboration between DMMMSU and ITS and other participating universities. (By Jesus Rafael B. Jarata)
