ABSTRACT
The paper partly discussed
education system in CHINA. However, the main focus is about the impact of courses for international students being conducted at the Air Force Command College.
The
influencing factors are the People’s Republic of China, the People’s Liberation
Army, the Air Force Command College, the participating countries, and the
students.
The expected
conditions are improved relationships not only between China and with other countries but also among the nations in the world, the unfolding of
best practices of doing things from different countries, the effective ways on how
to deal with different types of people and the promotion of tourism industry in
CHINA with the participants from different countries.
The word
EDUCATION will be utilized as acronym to completely encapsulate the
comprehensive conclusion of this paper. Conclusion that grasp the totality of
education that the international students will get from participating in the
courses offered by the Air Force Command College:
Enhancing sufficient
knowledge.
Developing effective
skills.
Unlocking unlimited
potentials.
Creating remarkable
experiences.
Achieving greater
heights.
Transforming passionate
hearts.
Inspiring breakthrough
ideas.
Outpouring valuable
insights.
Nurturing relationships beyond borders.
I.
INTRODUCTION
Education is an integral part of human resource development
in any country and an indispensable factor of human resource management in any
organization.
Economic progress of the country and the attainment of
goals of an organization greatly depend on the quality of knowledge, skills,
and character of its people. Human resource could be the greatest asset or
worst liability of any country or organization. Qualities and conditions that
could be positively enhanced and be rightly reinforced by providing sufficient
and responsive education. It should be sufficient because of the enormous amount
of lessons and experiences brought about by the continuous discovery of many
things. It should be responsive because of the fast changing situation and
rapid development of systems and best practices. Education should be beyond
just classroom instructions or even immediate environment. Education should
extend beyond conventional lessons. Education should transcend boundaries. It
should be limitless and bottomless. Learning is borderless. It is beyond
classroom instruction, discussion, presentation, and examination. It extends
even beyond own country. It hurdles language barriers, religious beliefs, and
cultural differences.
Since EDUCATION is a gargantuan topic to deal with, this
paper will only focus on the education provided by the AIR FORCE COMMAND COLLEGE
to international students. The author considers this subject that it has a
great significance not only for him but also to other participants, to the
AFCC, to the PLA, to the PRC, and to the countries of origin of the
participants.
China has been providing education for international
students for long time already. Aside from maintaining its international
relationship to the countries around the world, it is also promoting education
at the highest level. Investing in the awareness of other countries about its
rich history, engaging culture, delectable cuisines, world class products, and most
especially the high quality educational system that make CHINA as a worldwide
brand and an emerging superpower.
As a background, the author primarily selected this topic
because education is very close to his heart. He achieved success and improved
his economic condition because of education. He came from a very poor family in
a highly depressed province in the Philippines. But his economic condition did
not hinder him to dream big and to achieve his dreams of attaining comfortable
life not for him but for his family, loved ones, friends, and other people. He
believes that education is free. He was educated for free from the very start.
He was a product of the public school system in the Philippines from public
school primary up to high school. Then he was able to avail of an scholarship
program while in college as an engineering student. Then during his sophomore
year, he passed the entrance examination for cadetship at the Philippine
Military Academy (the country’s premier military institution). Then after four
years, he graduated from the academy and joined the Philippine Air Force and
qualified to be trained as a military pilot. After 18 months, he completed the
flying training from the Philippine Air Force Flying School. In 2011, he again
qualified to take up the Master in Management degree from the Asian Institute
of Management (AIM) for free. And now, he was selected to take up the Air Force
Command and Staff Program here at the Air Force Command College in Beijing,
China. It was really a great privilege for him to be educated for totally free
for all the education that he got during his entire life.
In 2012, as a gesture of conveying his deep gratitude to
the Almighty and humanity he put a project called “SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO POOR BUT
DESERVING STUDENTS.” He is providing set of complete school supplies like bags,
notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, paper and other school requirements to those
who excelled in class. He also provided medals for honor students and served as
GUEST SPEAKER during Graduation and recognition ceremonies to inspire students
about his personal story on how he was able to attain his dreams despite
poverty.
Before attending this Command and Staff program, he was
regularly invited as an instructor at the different units and offices in the
Philippine Air Force especially to the schools of the main education and
training institution of the Philippine Air Force, the AIR EDUCATION AND TRAINING
COMMAND. In every assignment and position that he was designated during his 19
years in the active service, he always believes that it is an opportunity to
teach and share his knowledge with his subordinates especially on leadership,
management, written communication, including his experiences in the field as a
helicopter pilot. Aside from making legacy and extending his knowledge and
skills with others, he was also discovering things along the way that he never
knew before that he possessed. It was an enlightening to know that he can leave
a lasting legacy and touch lives by just teaching them how to manage things
efficiently and to get things done effectively. Education is an amazing
activity. It is one of the things on earth that one can share with everyone and
in the process you accumulate more learning and realization.
It has been said that human resource, personnel or people
can be the greatest asset or worst liability of any organization or any country
in peacetime or in wartime. By developing people through education, you are not
only investing for the people for their own consumption but you are building an
educated nation that will have a long term positive impact to the world.
 |
| During the Acquaintance Party of the 17th Command and Staff Course at the Department of International Students (DIS) Dining Hall, Air Force Command College, Beijing, China on October 23, 2015 (a day before the birthday of the author which is also coincidentally the United Nation Organization Anniversary) |
II.
CURRENT CONDITION
According
to the GUIDEBOOK TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, the Air Force Command College
started to provide training for international students in March of 2001. The
current course is now the 17th batch of international students to
undergo different courses at the Department of International Students
(DIS). The department is offering the
Air Force Senior Command Course, the Air Force Intermediate-level Flight
Command Course and the Command and Staff Course.
At
present, AFCC is conducting different courses to the International students
composed of individuals from 44 various countries from other continents around
the world such as Europe, North America, South America, and Africa. There are
also many participants from other Asian countries like the Philippines,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka,
Bangladesh, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.
III.
ANALYSIS AND IMPACT
A. Influencing factors
The
desire and capability of the People’s Republic of China, the noble intention of
the People’s Liberation Army and the ingenuity of the Air Force Command College
are the greatest influencing factors of why the courses for international
students are being offered and conducted at the AFCC. The brilliant idea to come
up with this rare opportunity for the participants not only to learn at the strategic
perspective but to grasp the chance to know more about the emerging country in
the world and explore the captivating beauty of its environs.
The
next influencing factor is the willingness of the 44 different countries to
send individuals to participate in the different courses at the AFCC.
The
individuals who are willing to trudge the unknown, the uncertainty, and for
majority to be away from their families, loved ones, and friends and to be
separated from their comfort zones just to answer the call of this wonderful
endeavor are another important influencing factors.
Factors
that synergistically fit together to come up with this wonderful phenomenon of
paving comprehensive education for individuals from diverse background at
higher level and wide in scope.
B. Expected conditions
It
was an amazing phenomenon to see individuals coming from more than 20 countries
in one classroom united by one goal – education. It is even interesting to know
that individuals from 43 different countries are staying in one building,
attending classes, having meals in one dining area, and crafting unforgettable
moments. It is also enlightening to see about 8 individuals from different
countries in one dining table enjoying the same kind of food and drinks, while sharing
stories about their own countries enriching the knowledge of everyone as if
everyone has visited other countries transcending language barriers and
cultural differences building friendship and camaraderie beyond borders. It was
even captivating to see them in one formation marching during the celebration
of the PLA founding anniversary celebration at the parade ground of the
college.
The
move of the Air Force Command College to accept international students since
March of 2001 is not only an excellent decision to provide strong link between
China and other countries but also links among other countries. The gathering of many individuals in one
venue was even made more special because the author was born exactly the same day
several years after the UNITED NATION ORGANIZATION was founded. For him, it was
the realization of his modest dream to see the whole world united by one goal,
at least in this way it is already being realized. It is an initial step to make this
world truly a peaceful one. In the future when these international officers
become the heads of their respective Armed Forces or even as leaders in their
country, there will be closer ties among Armed Forces or even countries in the
world because of the friendship, good relationship, and camaraderie being
developed among participants. The officers sent by different countries are
carefully selected from the best so there is a big possibility of having them
as Chiefs of the Armed Forces or even leaders of their nations in the near future. In this way,
world will be more peaceful and fighting worldwide problems such as terrorism
and human rights violations will be easier to solve.
To
learn different human behaviors from numerous countries is a significant input
of the comprehensive education at the Air Force Command College. When
we come back to our respective countries, we will be positioned to higher
designations dealing with many people with different backgrounds and
orientations. People management is the key element in leading an organization.
That is why learning to deal with varying factors will essentially help a
Commander to lead his organization not only to accomplish the mission but also to
bring it to greater heights.
In
terms of the impact in the tourism industry in CHINA, the exposure of these
individuals to the different tourist destinations will help in the promotion of
these places that will essentially boost the tourism industry that will significantly reinforce the country’s rapid economic
progress.
Cultural
differences, languages barriers, and individual differences are essential
elements of learning to intelligent deal with demanding situations and fast
changing times.
Another
excellent impact of the prolong and continuous interactions among the students
are the unfolding of best practices and correct ways of doing things from other
countries and Armed Forces that other individuals can get and apply when they
go back to their respective countries if given the chance to be designated at
sensitive positions to perform duties with higher responsibilities.
IV. CONCLUSION
The word EDUCATION will be utilized as acronym to completely
encapsulate the comprehensive conclusion of this paper. Conclusion that grasp
the totality of education that the international students will get from
participating in the courses offered by the Air Force Command College:
Enhancing sufficient knowledge.
Developing effective skills.
Unlocking unlimited potentials.
Creating remarkable experiences.
Achieving greater heights.
Transforming passionate hearts.
Inspiring breakthrough ideas.
Outpouring valuable insights.
Nurturing relationships beyond borders.
