HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Inter-Institutional Consortium (I-IC) was formally established in 1974 as an instrument for the maximization of institutional resources among its member schools. It was not, however, born in a day, but rather it was developed through many years.

Inter-institutional cooperation among some educational institutions in the Philippines started as early as 1967. In response to the call of Vatican Council II for cooperation among institutions to improve education, De La Salle College and St. Scholastica's College signed a formal agreement for cross-registration, with the approval of the Bureau of Private Schools. This bilateral agreement lasted until 1973.

In 1972, another bilateral agreement was drawn up between De La Salle College (DLSC) and the Philippine Christian College (PChC) covering not only cross-registration but also faculty exchange and faculty development, joint program, use of facilities, research, and community outreach. The DLSC-PChC tie-up had outside funding in the form of a grant from the Commission for the Advancement of Christian Higher Education in Asia (CACHEA) for its projects and additional tuition fees for students cross-enrolling at DLSC.

In 1973, a foundation grant enabled DLSC to set up the office of a consortium program officer in preparation for the shift from bilateral agreements to a multilateral consortium among the I-IC members. This saw the establishment of the South Manila Consortium, which was later renamed Inter-Institutional Consortium upon the signing of agreement among the presidents of the five member schools on November 4, 1974, namely, Bro. Gabriel Connon (DLSC), Dr. Lino Arquiza (PChC), Dr. Bonifacio Sibayan (PNC), Sr. Milagros Du Rosaire, SPC (SPCM), and Sr. Soledad Hilado, OSB (SSC). The agreement included not only cross-enrollment of students in other member schools but also maximization of resources through joint offerings, restructuring of curricula, exchanging of vital information for academic excellence, and sharing of facilities.

In many respects, the I-IC mirrors the growth of the inter-institutional cooperation in the Philippines. Among the factors that contributed to this growth include the realization of the need for cooperation, leadership of some educators, endorsement by government and educational bodies, the preference of funding agencies to extend aid to cooperative ventures among several institutions rather than to individual schools, regionalization, and accreditation.

Leadership necessary for the formation and cooperation is present in I-IC. Outside financial support is also available for projects with multiplier effects involving groups of institutions. Geographical location has also been a big factor in the growth of cooperation in the I-IC. DLSU and St. Scholastica's College are only a block apart and the other member schools are located along Taft Avenue or within a few blocks off that main thoroughfare. Furthermore, council of liaisons and standing committees are in place to monitor the various activities of the consortium and to ensure inter-institutional linkages.