The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) has relaunched a student chapter at Palawan State University (PSU) on Wednesday, March 15, in Puerto Princesa City.
The relaunching ceremony was attended by Dr. Marjorie Española, PSU Vice President in Research and Extension, Tony Brown, former ICMA president and City Manager of Moorpark, California, Isabelle Bully-Omictin, ICMA Interim Managing Director and other guests from ICMA.
The chapter’s mission is to educate students about career opportunities in local government, network with local professionals in the field, and engage students on local government projects.
The PSU ICMA Student Chapter is among the 137 active ICMA student chapters worldwide and among the 20 within ICMA’s international student chapters.
ICMA is the leading association of local government professionals dedicated to creating and supporting aspiring communities throughout the world. With its more than 11,000 members, 1,200 of those are student members internationally, ICMA works to improve the lives of citizens by identifying, promoting, and speeding the adoption of leading government practices.
ICMA student chapters attract and cultivate an inclusive and talented group of young individuals as the next generation of local management leaders.
Brown said that ICMA has established 11 student chapters in the Philippines alone.
“ICMA has 137 student chapters around the world and has 11 student chapters here in the Philippines. Among them is the new student chapter here at Palawan State University,” Brown said.
Omictin, on the other hand, said that part of ICMA’s mission is to increase the number of ICMA student chapters, so they can help provide the needs of student leaders in order for them to be an effective tool in the aspect of public service someday.
“ICMA provides our members with the tools and resources that they need in order to be able to effectively do their jobs and manage the day to day operations of local governments,” Omictin said.
Española, who represented PSU President Dr. Ramon Docto during the relaunching ceremony, said that they are thankful to be chosen by IMCA as this can greatly help their students.
“Relaunching the ICMA student chapters will open doors for our students and faculty members. Our young leaders will be trained to provide effective and efficient public services for the community while also promoting the public interest. I’m extending our gratitude and recognition to ICMA, the Graduate School and the Golden Gate University for choosing to partner with Palawan State University,” Española said.