Internationalization Office
VISION
Saint Mary’s University, through the Internationalization Office (IO), strives to be a premier institution of higher learning, renowned for academic excellence, cultural diversity, and impactful global engagement. The IO provides strategic support by cultivating innovative international collaborations and fostering global partnerships that advance the University’s mission.
MISSION
The office facilitates international opportunities for students and employees through its global partnerships, promoting cross-cultural understanding, international presence, and global competency.
HISTORY/ OFFICE DESCRIPTION
The SMU Internationalization Office (IO) is mainly responsible for the University’s expanding global linkages. In previous years, linkages were handled by the Center for Alumni Relations and External Affairs (CARE) office, a unit attached to the Alumni Affairs Office. CARE was later renamed the External Affairs Office, headed alternately and concurrently by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Vice President for Administration. In August 2020, the Admissions and External Relations Office (AERO) was created, with functions that included linkages and the admission of new students. In January 2023, AERO was renamed the Promotions, External Relations, and Internationalization Office (PERIO) when the admissions function was transferred to the Office of the Registrar.
Over the years, the University has established partnerships with local, national, and international institutions and organizations. Local and national linkages have mainly focused on training and workshops, environmental enhancement projects, twinning programs, and consultations. For international linkages, partnerships have included sharing resource materials and publications, a consortium on programs and training, collaborative research, cultural immersions, international internships, and virtual and physical mobilities. These partnerships have resulted in several faculty and student exchange mobilities, the offering of transnational education programs, the internationalization of OJT programs, international research conferences, and cultural and academic immersions.
In the school year 2023-2024, the SMU administration approved the provision for promotions and linkage coordinators for STEH, SAB, SEAIT, and SHANS. On August 1, 2025, PERIO underwent a rebranding to streamline its organizational structure and enhance its focus on internationalization initiatives. The Promotions and Information Office (PIO) was established to oversee promotional activities and retained the coordinators, while PERIO was rebranded as the Internationalization Office, focusing on global partnerships and initiatives.
OBJECTIVES
- To explore and establish international linkages across disciplines in the graduate and undergraduate programs of the University;
- To facilitate the preparation and signing of documents like Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA); and
- To ensure a smooth flow in the implementation of academic partnership programs and concerns like outbound and inbound mobility for students, faculty, and staff.
CONTACT PERSON/ DETAILS
Dr. Clara M. Gonzales
Head, Internationalization Office
io@smu.edu.ph
(078) 392 8103
International Linkages
- AFS Intercultural Programs
- ASIA e University, Malaysia
- Central Institute of Business Management, India
- Coventry University, United Kingdom
- Daffodil International University, Bangladesh
- Fu Jen Catholic University, Taiwan, R.O.C.
- Howest University of Applied Sciences, Belgium
- Hwashin Cyber University, South Korea
- Northern University, Bangladesh
- Saint Roberts Training and Management/ Bellarmine Global Education (Thailand)
- Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Secretariat (SEAMEO, located in Thailand) and Universities of Indonesia-Malaysia-Mayanmar-Philippines-Thailand (SEA-Teacher Project)
- Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taiwan
- Universitas Kanjuran Malang (UNIKAMA), Indonesia
- Universitas Surubaya, Indonesia
- West Flanders, Belgium (SYNERGY Project)
- Vives University of Applied Sciences
- Madhuribai Deshmukh Institute of Nursing Education, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
- Huachiew Chalermprakiet University
- Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL)
- Universitas Halu Oleo, Indonesia
- Lampang Rajabhat University, Thailand
- Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University, Thailand
- Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Indonesia
- Lamrin Tech Skills University, Punjab, India
- Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University (KRU), Thailand
- Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Indonesia
- Universitas Negeri Surabaya (General)
- University of Saint Joseph, Macao
- Kanchanaburi Rajabhat University, Thailand (Faculty Exchange Program)
- Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Malaysia
- Universidade Católica Timorense, Timor Leste
- VZW Chinta, Belgium
- Tripartite Agreement Among SMU, Howest and LGU Solano
- Catholic University of Korea, South Korea
- Providence University, Taiwan
National Linkages
- Aussie Pinoy Edu.com Corp
- Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas
- Bulacan State University
- Davao Oriental State University
- FIRST EDUSPEC INC. (FEI), Makati City
- Gokongwei Brothers Foundation, Inc.
- Hytec Power Inc.
- JA Philippines
- Northwestern University, Ilocos
- PANPACIFIC University North Philippines, Pangasinan
- Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Manila
- SABRE TRAVEL NETWORK PHILIPPINES, INC.
- San Sebastian College – Recoletos, Manila
- SMART Communications, Inc. (Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program or SWEEP)
- Synergy Project
- University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao
- University of the Philippines Los Baños
- WorldWide for Nature (WWF)-Philippines
- De La Salle University
- De La Salle University- With TTBDO
Local Linkages
- Barangay LGU of Masoc, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya and Sitio Pawak, and Pawak Elementary School
- Brgy. LGU Communal, Solano, NV and Banguingey Elementary School
- Independent Kabalikat CIVICOM, Inc.
- Ipil-Cuneg, Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
- Isabela State University (Healthguard)
- Kalahan Educational Foundation Inc.
- Municipality of Banaue, Ifugao, Brgy. Batad
- Our Lady of Fatima Parish
- Our Lady of Victory Grotto at Mangkelleb Hill
- Purok Gonggongob, Cabuluan, Villaverde, Nueva Vizcaya
- Rural Bank of Solano (N.V.) Inc.
- Sitio Masina, Baretbet, Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya
- Solano East Central School & SPED Center Zonta Club Nueva Vizcaya
- Timpuyog ti Babbalasang idi Kalman, Nueva Vizcaya (TIBIK-NV), Inc.
- LGU Solano
List of Affiliations with Government Agencies
- Department of Trade and Industry
- Department of Science and Technology
- DOST Science Education Institute – Capacity Building Program in Science and Mathematics Education (CBPSME)
- Commission on Higher Education
- Commission on Human Rights Region 2
- National Commission for Culture and the Arts
- Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency
- Commission on Population-Regional Population Information Center 02
- Region II Trauma and Medical Center
- Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) NV Provincial Office
Membership in International Associations/Organizations
- Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACCU) (Member since 2024)
- Passage to ASEAN Association (renewed membership for the year 2024)
- Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning, Thailand
- University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific Council Philippines International (Host country: Canada) (Lifetime membership)
- Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Schools Network International
- Asia Cooperation Dialogue (based in Thailand)
- Asian University President Forum
- ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN QA)
- SETSCO Services Pte Ltd.
Membership in National Associations/Organizations
- Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP)
- National Coalition on Indigenous Peoples Higher Education
- CICM Philippine Schools Network (CICM PSN)
- NAKEM International
- Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU)
- Association of Catholic Universities in the Philippines (ACUP)
- National Alliance for Knowledge, Empowerment, and Meaning (NAKEM)
- Philippine Computing Sciences Information and Computing Accreditation Board (PICAB)
