President's Message to the Community
September 23, 2015
COM-FSM Mission Statement:
The College of Micronesia-FSM is a learner-centered institution of higher education that is committed to the success of the Federated States of Micronesia by providing academic, career and technical education programs characterized by continuous improvement and best practices.
Dear Colleagues and Fellow Members of the COM-FSM Community,
On September 22, 2015, the college hosted an opening ceremony for the Center for Entrepreneurship located at the Learning Resource Center. Special guests include the Mirconesian Registration Advisors, Inc. chairman and president, Steven Baker. The ceremony welcomed the college community to celebrate the establishment of the new program.
Forum: On September 25, 2015, Ambassador Masaki Sakai from the Japan Embassy will present about the relationship between FSM and Japan, scholarship opportunities, and upcoming events hosted by the Japan Embassy. The presentation will be at MITC from 1-2PM.
Important Information: September 30, 2015, is set for All Campus Meeting at 1-2PM.
From Vice President for Administrative Services: The Budget 2017 development is underway with the vice presidents planning for priorities and resource allocation.
The Infrastructure Development Plan (IDP) projects are being revised and submitted to FSM Congress for the ongoing efforts to compile all IDPs and get final endorsement from the 19th FSM Congress.
From Vice President for Cooperative Research Extension: The College of Micronesia-FSM and COM-Land Grant program were well represented at the Regional Consultation on Strengthening Agriculture& Forestry Research& extension Linkages for Sustainable Food Security & Trade in Apia, Samoa from August 24-28, 2015, by Mr. Jim Currie, VP-CRE, Dr. Nat Tuivavalagi, Pohnpei Researcher, and Mr. Steven Young Uhk, CRE State Coordinator-Yap. The conference was funded from various donors through the Secretariat of the Pacific Community. The conference focused on ideas of how to raise the professional profile of extension services and to better link the on-going research through extension to the farm community. These three representatives shared information from the American system with their counterparts from the independent countries of the region. The effort resulted in a proposed regional professional level linkage between researchers and extension and between professionals throughout the region. The new association is Pacific Islands Rural Advisory Services (PIRAS).
From Acting Vice President for Instructional Affairs: The college hosted students from two Japanese universities. Reitaku University brought seven students and two professors on August 23, 2015, to September 6, 2015. The students presented environmental lessons at two elementary schools, visited cultural sites and performed community service in U municipality. Sophia University brought 15 students and four professors on September 7 -14, 2015. These students attended classes at COM-FSM, visited cultural sites and experienced home visits over the weekend. The COM-FSM Micro/Japan Student Club served as guides for each group.
The 4th Annual Convocation was held on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015. This year's theme is “Student centered + Student Learning = Student Success.” Guest speakers were Yosiwo George, Vice President of FSM, Churchill Edward, Chairman of the Board of Regents, Joseph M. Daisy, President and CEO of COM-FSM, Jean Ranahan, professor of Languages and Literature, Kasiano Paul, Vice President and Faculty Representative and Vice Chairperson of Faculty/Staff Senate and Darla Simina, Student Body Association secretary.
From Acting Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services: October 15, 2015, is the deadline for interested students who wish to apply for the 2015-2016 APIASF AANAPISI scholarship.
I convey my appreciation to you for all your work, effort and dedication to the students we serve. Each of us plays an important role in the successful implementation of the mission of COM-FSM.
It is a privilege for me to serve you as president.
Warm regards,
Joseph M. Daisy, EdD
President and CEO
