Prof.Cayamanda, Ms. Lopez, Assoc. Prof. Sumaylo in Chulalongkorn University

The University of the Philippines Mindanao conducted a benchmarking activity with Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Communication Arts in Bangkok, Thailand, on August 15, 2024. This activity was part of UP Mindanao's ongoing expansion and development efforts, focusing on improving its BA Communication and Media Arts (BACMA) program by learning from regional leaders in the field. The primary goal was to explore potential collaborations in teaching, research, and extension, and to establish best practices for the program.

Headed by Assoc. Prof. Dennis John Sumaylo, PhD, chair of the Department of Humanities at UP Mindanao; along with Prof. Karen Joyce Cayamanda, PhD, BACMA faculty member and the University Registrar; and Ms. Mitchiko Lopez, a UP Mindanao University Researcher, the delegation sought to create lasting ties with Chulalongkorn University, a leading institution for communication studies in Southeast Asia.

 

Assoc. Prof. Sumaylo, Prof. Cayamanda, Asst. Prof.  Teerada (Ne) Chongkolrattanaporn, Head of Department of Public Relations, Ms. Lopez

 

One expected outcome of the activity is the drafting of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that would formalize collaborations in various areas, including joint research projects, student exchanges, faculty mobility, and international conference partnerships giving UP Mindanao chances to gain valuable international experience, and enhance their academic and professional development.

The visit allowed UP Mindanao to examine Chulalongkorn University's curriculum in communication arts. The curriculum integrates courses in traditional and new media and provides a comprehensive view of how the institution prepares students for the evolving communication landscape. The benchmarking activity also included a tour of Chulalongkorn University's state-of-the-art facilities. These facilities highlighted the importance of providing students with hands-on, practical experience, which is crucial in the field of communication and media arts.

Among the salient discussions included research directions and academic interests between faculty members of both institutions. Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Communication Arts is engaged in several groundbreaking research projects addressing regional communication issues such as media representation, digital culture, and public relations strategies in Southeast Asia. These research priorities resonate with UP Mindanao's focus on media and communication studies in the Mindanao context.

As UP Mindanao moves toward strengthening its academic and research capabilities, this benchmarking activity serves as a model for how institutions can collaborate to advance communication and media studies in Southeast Asia. The potential partnership between UP Mindanao and Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Communication Arts signals a promising future for both institutions, with the potential to drive innovation, research, and knowledge exchange in the field of communication arts.

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Written by:
Alyssa Ilaguison | SA-PRO and Angela Sucaldito | JMPA-PRO

With inputs from:
Prof. Karen Joyce Cayamanda, PhD. and Assoc. Prof. Dennis John Sumaylo, PhD.