“It is a regulation that we certify the school if they are eligible to take foreign students or not,” said Commerce Secretary Michael Ada in a recent interview.
He said the certification is done in accordance with the same policies that different states in the U.S. had adopted.
The regulation requires learning institutions to pass the following for review:
•Current audited financial statements prepared by a US certified public accountant
•School catalog and curriculum or program of study offered by the institution
•Copies of advertisement for recruiting students from abroad
•Copies of legal documents; includes articles and certificate of incorporation, by laws, annual corporation report, partnership agreement etc.
•Mission Statement of Educational Institution
•Lease agreement for real estate property where educational institution is established
•Copies of business license and tax certificate
The board of evaluators reviews the requirements passed by the institutions.
Ada said the department created a board of evaluators to “check” on the institution whose certification is under review.
The evaluators also “look unto” the facilities, curriculum and staff of the schools.
The financial statement of the learning institution is needed to evaluate the financial capability of the institution to operate the “business.”
He added commerce is objective when it comes to the evaluation.
“We do not want people telling us that we favored ‘this’ school from the other,” he said.
The board is comprised of a member from the Public School System (PSS), an official from the Northern Mariana College, a general community member and a member of the Board of Commerce.
Commerce said schools that do not meet certain requirements are given a certification that is only valid for six months.
The school must complete the requirements within the period before renewing the certificate.
To date, 12 schools were given the certification to accept foreign students, Commerce records showed.
The certified schools are: Saipan International School, Mount Carmel School, Eucon International College, Calvary Christian Academy, University of Loyola, Eucon International School, Saipan Seventh Day Adventist School, Calvary International Mission, Ladera International School, Grace Christian Academy, International Business and Professional College (IBPC), Saipan Community School.
