THE State Board of Regents on Tuesday approved a seven-month provisional license for International Business & Professional College, which offers non-degree programs focused on “enriching individual skills.”
IBPC is the second private post-secondary institution to get a provisional license from the regents this week. The board also approved on Tuesday Eucon International College’s provisional license.
However, the board said IBPC should refrain from using the word “certificate,” which is associated with degree programs, to avoid confusion among students.
Regent Galvin Guerrero also told IBPC that the program committee will closely monitor their activities.
“I just want you to know that the program committee will work closely with you. (There’s something) ambiguous on what you’re offering—the certification is very confusing,” Guerrero said.
Former Northern Marianas College President Agnes M. McPhetres said the word “institute” is more appropriate to describe IBPC rather than a college because of the services it currently offers.
In a separate interview, IBPC President Herman P. Sablan said the school is offering skill enhancement programs targeting the business sector and government employees.
These include short programs about commercial driving, real estate appraisals and other courses involving various businesses.
Sablan said their programs are tailored to what their clients need.
“We design our courses based on the need of the company. For example, customer service. We can give them one to two days training on that area. It really depends on what they need,” he said.
There is also no fixed rate for IBPC programs. “Because of our present business environment, we want our tuition rate to be flexible,” Sablan said.
However, as an incentive, IBPC gives discount to companies who will send more than five people to attend their program, he said.
Sablan said he is planning to expand IBPC services in the future to include degree programs or courses.
