CMDI marks its 18 years of quality capacity building and education programs

CARD-MRI Development Institute, Inc. (CMDI) recently celebrated its 18th years of providing quality education and trainings to staff, students and members of CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI).
The celebration, themed “18 years of Sustaining Passion: Learning, Development and Education”, was held simultaneously in CMDI Bay Campus in Bay, Laguna and CMDI Tagum Campus in Davao. The celebration signifies the continued progress of CMDI in its goal to eradicate poverty through education.
Started from a dream
For the management of CARD MRI, building an institution that hones the community through quality education was a dream come true. What started as a small training center for CARD MRI staff way back in 2000 had evolved into a reputable college today.
“It was the collaboration from all the institutions of CARD MRI that resulted to the development of CMDI,” said CARD MRI Managing Director and CMDI President, Flordeliza L. Sarmiento.
18 years of service
CMDI has provided bountiful opportunities for the community since its inception. Last 2015, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) granted CMDI a license to provide courses on entrepreneurship and accountancy. In 2016, CMDI then offered Senior Highschool program with Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) strand as well as Information and Communications Technology (ICT). CMDI will produce its first batch of senior high school graduates this year.
“We don’t treat the education of our staff and students as expense for the institution, but we treat it as investment for the future,” Sarmiento said.
In fact, training officers at CARD MRI also render trainings and share their knowledge to CMDI students on various disciplines, from microfinance, business, to communication technology.
Likewise, throughout its operation, CMDI has provided scholarships to the less fortunate but deserving students. “Before, it was only a dream, but now I have the opportunity to finish college with the help of CMDI,” Jonalyn Guitierrez said, a CARD Scholar under the BalikEskwela si Nanay program.
Balancing Academics and Extracurricular Activities
Known for its academic achievements, CMDI has advanced its curriculum to be able to provide quality education for its staff, students, and CARD MRI members. This year, one of its goals is to ensure a balanced academic and extracurricular activities for every student.
“We balance the academic and extracurricular activities of our students so they can practice the values we teach them in support to community building,” said Dr. Edzel A. Ramos, VP for Learning and Development. Some of these extracurricular activities include developing sportsmanship, teamwork, and camaraderie among students through motivation in sports activities and competition.
Education for the future
“CMDI will always be a partner for education, in support to CARD MRI’s goal in eradicating poverty,” said Deverna DT. Briones, VP for Administration and Academic Affairs.
“Continue to do your best in advocating education as the key to poverty eradication,” said CARD MRI Founder and Chairman Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip.
As an academic institution, CMDI will continue to uphold quality education that will produce world-class graduates who will serve more communities in the future.