The 11th PACUIT (Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities of Industrial Technology) National Conference, conducted through the combined efforts of PACUIT, Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC), and Cebu Technological University (CTU), was held from April 22 – 24, 2013 at the Cebu Business Hotel, Cebu City, Philippines. This is the first collaboration of CPSC with PACUIT in conducting a conference, though representatives from CPSC presented papers on previous PACUIT national conferences.
The conference, with the theme “Harnessing Quality Assurance to Meet the Challenges of New and Emerging Technologies” was attended by about 250 participants composed mostly of Presidents, Deans and Senior Faculty of the College of Industrial Technology, Engineering, and Industrial Education of Philippine state universities and colleges.
Conference Participants
CPSC Director General Dr. Mohammad Naim Yaakub delivered a pre-recorded welcome message during the opening program, as he is on a double mission to Australia and Fiji at the time of the conference.
Several high ranking officials of PACUIT also welcomed resource persons, guests, and participants alike including PACUIT President and President of Southeastern University of the Philippines, Dr. Perfecto A. Alibin; PACUIT Vice President for Visayas and President of Cebu Technological University Dr. Bonifacio S. Villanueva; and PACUIT Corporate Secretary and President of Western Visayas College of Science and Technology, Dr. Luis M. Sorolla, Jr.
Four plenary sessions on varying topics as well as track sessions to present research outputs and good practices in industrial technology such as in 1) administration and management of industrial technology program, 2) teaching innovation, 3) electricity/electronics/automation, 4) automation control systems, 5) innovation, and 6) food processing, packaging, handling and storing were successfully delivered during the 3-day conference.
On behalf of the CPSC DG, Faculty Consultant Dr. Hazrat Hussain delivered a lecture on “Accreditation of TVET Institutions in Asia Pacific: The Colombo Plan Staff College for Technician Education Experience”. The lecture introduced the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) to all delegates and explained how this could be used to assist technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions in preparing graduates/workers who can meet the rapid changes in the labor market in terms of technical skills, attitude and knowledge.
In conjunction with the conference theme, the awarding of APACC accreditation certificates to three recently accredited Mongolian institutions took place on April 23, 2013, witnessed by all participants. Dr. Erdenetsetseg Myagmar, International Relations’ Officer of School of Health Technology (Silver Award); Mr. Otgonbayar from Institute of Engineering Technology (Silver Award) and Mrs. Enkhjargal (Bronze Award) from Polytechnic College received the certificates on behalf of the respective institutions.
