SEAMEO-CIDA/ACCC Internship Programme 1998

Orientation Programme

The first batch of five Interns arrived in Bangkok on Sunday 17 May 1998. They were accompanied by Ms Branka Gudelj, Project Officer, International Services, ACCC.
The Secretariat conducted an orientation programme for the Interns from 18 to 20 May 1998. During the three-day orientation period, the Interns were introduced to the staff of the Secretariat; taken on study visits to the three SEAMEO Training Centres in Bangkok, namely, SEAMEO RIHED, SEAMEO SPAFA and SEAMEO TROPMED/ Thailand; guided through a city tour of Bangkok and visited the Grand Palace and other places of interest in Bangkok; and given a briefing on SEAMEO, the SEAMEO Secretariat and the host Centres.
Four speakers representing Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam were invited to give a talk on the topic "Glimpse of the social, Economic, Political and the Cultural Traditions/Practices in my Country".

After the orientation, one intern stayed behind at the Secretariat while the other four left for their respective destinations: two Interns to SEAMEO RETRAC, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and another two Interns to SEAMEO INNOTECH, Manila, Philippines.

Two Interns were scheduled to join the Internship Programme at SEAMEO SEAMOLEC in Indonesia. Due to the economic and political instability in Indonesia, on the advice of the Director of SEAMEO SEAMOLEC, ACCC decided to place them at the SEAMEO Secretariat.

Duration
This is a six-month programme scheduled from May 1998.

Participants
Presently, eight Interns are involved in the Internship Programme. The names of the Interns, their locations and their starting dates are as follows:

Location	Name	Duration
SEAMEO Secretariat Bangkok, Thailand	1. Ms Susan MacDonald 2. Mr Chad Peters 3. Ms Kathryn Peet 4. Ms Nichole Quiring	21 17 17 16	May Jun Jun Sep	- - - -	13 02 02 28	Nov Dec Dec Feb	1998 1998 1998 1999
SEAMEO INNOTECH Manila, Philippines	1. Ms Andree Carley 2. Mr Richard Bills	29 29	May May	- -	06 06	Nov Nov	1998 1998
SEAMEO RETRAC Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam	1. Mr Gregory Pearson 2. Mr Lorne Bernt	29 29	May May	- -	13 13	Nov Nov	1998 1998

Description of the Assignment

Conduct a study and analysis of the organization's marketing, communications and public relations activities;

Prepare a detailed report for Senior Management on organizational needs in the areas of marketing, public relations and communications;

In response to feedback and comments from management, interns will coordinate and support the design, development and implementation of a communications/marketing campaign aimed at enhancing the profile of the organization with stakeholders, governments and the public;

Support organization's needs in the areas of internal and external communications, publicise activities and events, build and maintain media relations;

Write, edit and format communications materials, including press releases, information packages and other promotional materials;

Prepare a narrative report for the partner agency at the mid-point and conclusion of the assignment, which would detail experiences, beneficial and negative aspects of the assignment and recommendations for future interns;

Compile comments on the sustainable development aspect of programme and how the programme contributed to improving his/her employment potential in Canada;

Prepare an article for publication in an ACCC publication and/or other relevant Canadian publications, which would promote international development.

Activities of Interns at the SEAMEO Secretariat

Background and Objectives
Within the framework of the SEAMEO-CIDA Internship Programme of Cooperation and in view of the need of the SEAMEO Secretariat to enhance its marketing efforts, the four interns were given the following standing assignments:

1. Assist the Deputy Director, Programmes and Marketing (DDPM) in developing marketing strategies for SEAMEO at the level of the SEAMEO Secretariat.

2. Assist the Deputy Director, Administration and Communication (DDAC) in developing the IT Project and Digital Library.

3. Assist the Information Officer (IO) to:

Proof-read reports on proceedings for publication; and

Develop the SEAMEO Homepage.

4. Assist the Publications Officer (PubO) in:

The production of marketing brochures;

The production of SEAMEO publications;

The development of a new SEAMEO mailing list: and

The production of the Directory of Ministers of Education all over the world.

5. Participate in Centre Directors and Strategic Planning Group Meeting as SEAMEO Secretariat members, acting as rapporteurs for the proceedings.

6. Any other duties that may be assigned by the DDPM.

Tasks Undertaken

Susan MacDonald's experience and academic training in public relations and research (3 year diploma in Public Relations from Durham College) has enabled her to work on the following:

1.	Assisting the Programme Officer (Development) in summarizing the history of various Programmes of Cooperation with Associate member and donor countries
2.	Assisting the Publications Officer in: Preparing ads for the SEAMEO Horizon; and Researching, proofreading, editing and writing stories for the SEAMEO Horizon Preparing the SEAMEO Calendar
3.	Proofreading and editing various working papers, plans and proposals.
4.	Writing media releases for SEAMEO Centre workshops in Bangkok.
5.	Coordinating administration for incoming interns.
Chad Peters’ experience and academic training in public relations and marketing (2 year diploma in Corporate Communications and a post-graduate diploma in Marketing Management from Centennial College) have allowed him to assist the DDPM in fulfilling the role of Marketing Officer for the SEAMEO Secretariat. Some of the specific duties he has been assigned are:
1.	Assisting the Deputy Director for Programmes and Marketing in: Leading the marketing activities in the SEAMEO Secretariat; Formulating the Implementation Plan of the SEAMEO Network Marketing Strategy; Preparation of marketing presentation for the Centre Directors and Strategic Planning Group Meeting; and Preparing an Internal Marketing Workshop.
2.	In consultation with the SEAMEO Secretariat’s Information Officer and Publications Officer, developed a comprehensive advertising and promotion plan for SEAMEO’s Services and Products.
3.	Assisting the Publications Officer in: Writing, editing, proofreading and layout of stories for the SEAMEO Horizon Writing introduction for the SEAMEO Forum; and Developing the SEAMEO Network Marketing Package.
4.	Assisting the Deputy Director for Administration and Communications, Information Officer, Programme Officer (Development) and Programme Officer (Evaluation) in proofreading and editing numerous working papers, proposals and plans.
5.	Assisting the SEAMEO Secretariat Director in the following: Preparing a report on partnership opportunities in Alberta; and Writing speeches to be delivered at various Centre Governing Board Meetings.
6.	With the Information Officer and Publications Officer, preparing a policy document on the future of education in Southeast Asia to be adopted by the SEAMEO Council.
Kathryn Peet's experience in journalism (print and broadcast) and photography (Bachelor of Arts degree with double honours in Political Science and Anthropology from McMaster University, first recipient Barbara Frum scholarship) have led to her contributing the following:
1.	Assisting the Publications Officer in: Shooting, editing and preparing photographs for production in various publications including, the SEAMEO Horizon, SEAMEO Forum and the new SEAMEO Network Marketing Package. Assisting in the conceptualization, design and execution of artworks for this premiere issue of the SEAMEO Horizon. Writing, editing, proofreading and layout of stories and advertisements for the SEAMEO Horizon. Preparing the SEAMEO Calendar and SEAMEO Researches
2.	Assisting the Deputy Director for Administration and Communications, Information Officer and Programme Officer (Evaluation) in proofreading and editing numerous working papers, proposals and plans.
3.	As part of the SEAMEO Digital Library (SDL) Task Force, prepared a discussion paper on the design and structure of the SDL, as well as assisting in its implementation.

Nichole Quiring's experience in print journalism and photography (Diploma in Journalism, Grant MacEwan Community College) have led to her contributions in the following:

Writing, editing, proofreading and layout of the stories for the SEAMEO Horizon

Interviewing sources and researching for articles

Taking photographs for the Horizon

The four interns have made significant contributions to the SEAMEO Secretariat since their arrival. They have participated in formal and informal excursions with various members of the Secretariat.

Activities of Interns at SEAMEO INNOTECH

Two interns were assigned to SEAMEO INNOTECH within the framework of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) Youth Internship Programme. The two interns, Richard Bills and Andr�e Carley, commenced their internship programme at SEAMEO INNOTECH on 29 May 1998.

Within the framework of the SEAMEO-CIDA programme of cooperation and in view of the need of SEAMEO INNOTECH to further develop its marketing programme, the two interns were given the following standing assignments:

1.	Assistance in producing catalogue of SEAMEO INNOTECH publications;
2.	Assistance in production of information/promotional materials on SEAMEO INNOTECH projects;
3.	Development of a comprehensive advocacy/information/public relations plan and their guidelines for implementation;
4.	Assistance in the content analysis of marketing letters and review of the marketing programme;
5.	Collaboration in the development of a mid-term marketing plan for the Centre; and
6.	Assistance in the development of a database of bilateral and multilateral donor agencies and partner NGOs.

Tasks Undertaken

Taking advantage of Mr Bills' experience in production of publications and his academic training (Diploma in Public Relations, Durham College) he is currently assigned the following tasks:

1.	Design and lay-out of the Proceedings of the Sixth SEAMEO INNOTECH International Conference;
2.	Review of SEAMEO INNOTECH publications and catalogue using desk-top publishing software;
3.	Development of a comprehensive public relations plan focusing on the goals and objectives of the Centre;
4.	Design of a user-friendly press kit for eventual distribution to media institutions.

Ms Carley's (Bachelor of Arts programme, University of Alberta) exposure to the literacy programmes for newly-arrived immigrants in Canada enables her to work closely with the Centre's literacy focal point by rendering technical assistance to the Philippines Literacy Coordinating Council. The activities that Ms Carley will participate in are:

1.	Evaluation of and project site visits to participating local government units in literacy work;
2.	Implementation and review of the Comprehensive Literacy and Socio-Economic Programme (CLASP) for women with disabilities in Calumpit, Bulacan;
3.	Assistance in the preparatory phase and post-event activities relating to the 1998 Centennial Conference on Literacy and Continuing Education;
4.	Assistance in planning/design and coordination of the special course on Community-based Planning and Management of Literacy and Continuing Education for local government units;
5.	In addition, the following tasks relating to marketing were to be undertaken: Updating the Centre's donor database; Drafting a proposal on Gender Sensitivity Training in elementary schools with support from the Canada Fund

Both interns have integrated quite well in the SEAMEO INNOTECH family. They have been active participants in a number of staff-development oriented activities. The Centre-wide celebration of the Philippine Centennial and the tribute to the outgoing director saw their active involvement. They have also made a number of friends among the Centre staff.

The Centre also had a simple celebration during Canada Day (01 July 1998). Mr Bills and Ms Carley, assisted by one of the Centre staff members, raised the Canadian flag as part of the Centre's flag-raising ceremony. In a convocation, the Centre Director and the Programme Directors for Training, Research and Educational Technology delivered short speeches greeting the interns and their countrymen on their national day. Ms Andree Carley gave the response on behalf of the "Canadian Community" at SEAMEO INNOTECH.

Aside from the financial issues initially aired by the interns, no problems were encountered in the programme. In this regard, SEAMEO INNOTECH agreed to provide a discounted rate for their accommodations at less than half the normal dormitory rates. This was decided in a meeting with an ACCC staff member who visited the interns and met with the coordinator and the Centre Director. The Centre thus provides in-kind contribution to the internship programme through the price subsidy.

Activities of Interns at SEAMEO Regional Training Centre

General Information
Lorne R. Berndt and Gregory Pearson have accomplished many things both personally and professionally for SEAMEO RETRAC. Of course many assignments and projects are still in the planning stage.

Orientation
Both interns have attended meetings outlining SEAMEO RETRAC's background, financial challenges, future projects, and working protocol at the Centre (including hours of work, introduction of the staff, tour of the facilities, etc.).

Guidance
Monthly meetings have been set up between SEAMEO RETRAC support staff and the interns. The purpose of these monthly meetings is to review the tasks undertaken over the past month, to discuss any challenges they may be facing with their current projects, and to advise them on their upcoming assignments.

As the two interns have different experiences and educational backgrounds, they have been involved in different projects as follows:

Lorne R. Berndt
With a background in Radio Broadcasting, Communications and Administration, Lorne R. Berndt has been assigned different tasks related to his fields of expertise. He has been involved in a number of projects in the areas of marketing, public relations and communication which include:

1.	Planning assistance for the New Zealand Education Fair;
2.	Assisting the Director in writing proposals and speeches;
3.	Writing reports and articles, and;
4.	Maintaining communication with international contacts in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Lorne has attended various meetings to observe and contribute ideas on behalf of SEAMEO. He has also been helpful to his colleagues by providing assistance on their projects and assignments.

Lorne has been instrumental in obtaining business contacts for our newly developed Office of Overseas Studies. He has assisted our public relations and marketing manager in meetings related to this new office. Although Lorne was an observer during these meetings, he aided in establishing new business relationships with various institutions.

Lorne has assisted in planning the Canadian Education Fair, and other major projects. He will be involved in designing a web site and press packages for SEAMEO RETRAC.

Gregory Pearson
With a background in Political Science and International Development, Gregory Pearson's familiarity with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international development agencies has been an asset in:

1.	Assisting with on-going projects at the Centre and developing proposals for bilateral projects with SEAMEO RETRAC and research in relation to these projects, including the Professional Development of Women Educators in Viet Nam and Technology Training for Educators;
2.	Developing contacts with officers of development agencies;
3.	Assisted in writing and editing the 1997-98 SEAMEO RETRAC Annual Report;
4.	Involved in meetings with the Education Marketing Division of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, the Viet Nam Liaison Office of the United Nations Development Programme, and several in-office meetings with SEAMEO RETRAC officers;
5.	Developing a database of Canadian universities for the Office of Overseas Studies;
6.	Developing proposals to solicit funding for future projects.

Outside of his SEAMEO-CIDA internship programme, Greg worked as an International Observer for the 1998 national elections in Cambodia with the United Nations Electoral Assistance Division. This experience increased Greg's familiarity in dealing with government agencies, and provided him with a number of contacts for further work with SEAMEO.

Conclusion

The CIDA/ACCC-SEAMEO internship programme is full of promise. We have already experienced positive results from the two Canadian interns at SEAMEO RETRAC. They are young, energetic, and full of ideas which have proved helpful to the Centre.

Lorne and Greg have become aware of the realities of working at SEAMEO RETRAC. The resources, staff, and money are limited, but despite these limitations, the interns and the SEAMEO staff are adapting well to each other. Overall their stay with us has proven to be a mutually beneficial and rewarding experience for all parties concerned.