Stating The Truth!

'IBPC not a recruitment base for guest workers'

By Moneth Deposa
Reporter

The president of the International Business and Professional College defended the institution against allegations that it is being used as a recruitment base for foreign workers who are believed have entered the CNMI through the foreign student entry permits for many years.

“I can tell you that is not true,” Herman Sablan told Saipan Tribune Tuesday, adding that IBPC offers internship programs that are approved under Commonwealth statutes.

He said this is particularly true for nurses who are provided training at Saipan Health Clinic. After the training, it is up to the students to decide where they want to continue their training.

“But IBPC is not used as a recruitment base as claimed by certain individuals,” he said.

The programs they offer foreigners, Sablan said, are in line with regulations by and between the CNMI government and IBPC.

Saipan Tribune learned that IBPC is one of the only two privately-owned postsecondary institutions that were first sanctioned and licensed by the NMI State Licensing Board. The other is the Eucon International School.

Sablan emphasized that IBPC only accepts students that are approved by the Office of Immigration, which previously handled the foreign student regulations of the Commonwealth.

Saipan Tribune learned that the IBPC population soared this year and the programs for professional services increased in demand. In 2008, IBPC posted 717 enrollees, including foreign students. As of this week, 225 have registered with the college.

'Only the less-fortunate countries to be affected by new regulation'

In light of new regulations imposed on foreign students, the IBPC president believes the greater impact would be on poorer countries that have students enrolled in CNMI schools.

“Personally, I feel that the regulation on the insurance would be difficult for less fortunate countries,” he told Saipan Tribune.

On the health insurance requirement, Sablan is convinced that the policy should be in place but that it should be reasonable.

“The nationals who cannot afford insurance simply live day by day as they have saved to pay for their education. There should be some flexibility for adults who are here for studies, despite their origin,” he added.

The IBPC president said the CNMI should not impose too many restrictions that could kill the islands' fledgling edu-tourism sector.