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Maintaining ties and collaborative activities with the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities of Industrial Technology (PACUIT), Inc., the Colombo Plan Staff College, co-organized PACUIT’s 12th National Conference with the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) held at the Ritz Hotel in Davao City, Philippines from April 28-30, 2014. The conference is an annual event of PACUIT. This year’s conference revolved around the theme “Technology Development and Transfer: An Economic Intervention for Poverty Reduction”.
Dr. Mohammad Naim Yaakub representing CPSC as co-organizer, graced the event and shared his insights on the theme with the 180-strong invited delegates from different institutions nationwide. Several high-level attendees of the program also include Dr. Perfecto A. Alibin, President of USeP; Dr. Nora M. Ponce, President of PACUIT, Dr. Renato V. Alba, Executive Director, PACUIT and Hon. Rodrigo R. Duterte, Mayor of Davao City. Atty. Ricardo R. Blancaflor, the Director General of the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) delivered the keynote address. The event also featured the new PACUIT website which will enable a more effective transmission of information to its different stakeholders and clients.
Dr. Naim presents his paper to the audience. |
The afternoon session of the first day of the conference featured different learning sessions about the various perspectives on the link between industrial participation and social improvement. Other notable speakers included the Admin. Personnel Manager/Plant Coordinator of INTERCO, Engr. Michael Y. Torro; Manager and Proprietor of Trans Island, Mr. Richard Ongyongyong; and the President and Managing Director of Hytec Power, Engr. Eric Jude S. Soliman.
Dr. Naim presented a paper titled 'Skills Development for Livelihood' in which it showcased the different perspectives in integrating and enhancing livelihood opportunities through skills development. Themes such as global poverty scenarios and industry-institution linkages were discussed in detail, providing current scenarios in which these efforts are applicable. He also cited notable programs implemented by CPSC in assisting regional efforts to alleviate poverty notably the CPSC-India Skills Development Project and in-country programs on areas such as: (1) Community based training for enterprise development/ Training for entrepreneurs, (2) Gender specific training/ Women empowerment programs, (3) Green skills for Green Jobs and (4) Community development techniques and tools.
Excerpts from Dr. Naim’s presentation on Skills Development Cycles and Outcome (CPSC, 2010) |
His presentation also included excerpts from TEVSAPHIL’s strategy on pursuing global opportunities in technical vocational education as presented by the president of the MFI Foundation, Col. Alejandro Teves Escaño. This section emphasized the importance of agriculture’s role in providing sustainable employment opportunities. The presentation cited examples from China which capitalized on the success of integrating agriculture into TVET. He also included innovative ways on integrating agricultural practices in areas with limited spaces through rooftop gardening, using the garden wall as support and potted planting.
The second day of the program revolved on four plenary sessions revolving on four relevant themes namely: (1) Administration and Management of Industrial Technical Programs moderated by Dr. Nora M. Ponce, (2) Communications: Wireless, Digital, GSP, etc. moderated by Dr. Renato Sorolla, (3) Electronics Automation Control System moderated by Dr. Elpidio Magante, (4) Teaching and Innovation moderated by Dr. Don Vicente Real and (5) Manufacturing/Construction Innovation moderated by Dr. Cornelio Garcia.
Also, a forum on relevant issues that concerns industrial technology education was discussed after the plenary sessions. Topics such as: (1) Industrial Technology Curriculum, (2) Quality Assurance for Technology, (3) ASEAN 2015 Integration (4) K-to-12 Program, (5) Opening of Classes / School Calendar and (6) Flagship of Technology Education Institutions were brought into the concerns of the participants, eliciting gainful outputs and recommendations for further policy review and improvement.
The program closed in high spirits, in which the organizers sent their utmost respect and regards to the success of the program and the valuable contributions that it had generated in further enhancing the industrial technology education in the Philippines. Aside from the program formalities, cultural performances showcasing the Dabaweños rich traditions and heritage were provided by the Pangkat Silayan Dance Troupe and the Harmonia Polifonica. The participants were also given a tour of Davao City and were oriented with the historical and natural sites that the city is proud of.
Dr. Naim sitting in the panel as one of the speakers at the first session of the program |
Pictures in the conference venue indicating the high number of participation |
Dr. Naim receives a token of appeciation from Dr. Nora M. Ponce, President of PACUIT (center) and Dr. Renato V. Alba (right), Executive Director, PACUIT |
