STI Academic Head Presents Research Study in Singapore

April 19, 2021

Ann Gilyn Premarion, Academic Head of STI College General Santos, sets the bar high as she presented her research study entitled “ONE STI Learning Model: Delivering Tourism Education Amidst COVID-19 Pandemic” in the 4^th China-ASEAN Tourism Education Alliance (CATEA) International Conference 2020/2021on January 16, 2021at the East Asia Institute of Management (EAIM) campus in Singapore.

CATEA is a non-governmental organization that focuses on upgrading educational quality, promoting economic and social prosperity, and fostering cooperation among tourism schools in China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.

Organized by EAIM, the CATEA International Conference’s theme this year is “Emerging Trends in Tourism: Impact on Tourism Education.” It aims to help the tourism industry get back on its feet after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fact that online learning is considered as the new normal in education pushed Premarion to come up with her in-depth study about the ONline and ONsite Education (ONE) at STI, an educational framework that enables students to continue their studies, move up to the next level, graduate, and seek employment amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

The learning model strengthens STI’s existing blended learning mode that combines independent online learning via the eLearning Management System (eLMS) at home with the invaluable hands-on training at the campus once allowed by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

My research study seeks to know the benefits of the ONE STI Learning Model. It also aims to identify the challenges that are being experienced by both tourism students and teachers in embracing the learning model.

After her successful presentation in the international conference, Premarion’s study was chosen for publication in the May 2021 issue of Singapore Management Journal (SMJ), a peer-reviewed publication that publishes original articles relating to business and management.

For the school year 2021-2022, ONE STI will continue to be the primary learning modality amidst the pandemic. The concept of online learning is not new to STI, as the institution already implemented a blended learning mode for the past years using a two-way cloud-based platform where students and teachers can discuss and collaborate seamlessly.