Embedded into the regional program on Strengthening the Culture of Entrepreneurship in TVET held from July 15-19, 2013, was a one day International Seminar on Wednesday, July 17 titled "Emerging Trends in Linking TVET to the World of Work through Entrepreneurship".
The Seminar was inaugurated by the guest of honor and main resource speaker, CPSC Director General, Dr. Naim Yakuub avowing his firm resolves to gear CPSC towards proactively engaging emerging trends and frontiers in the field of TVET. He lauded the efforts of OVEC, RMUTT and EST for extending their support to the conduct of the International Seminar. As the lead speaker Dr. Naim explained how entrepreneurship education can be delivered in the context of TVET. He emphasized the role of teaching staff as extremely important in inculcating entrepreneurial spirit and character in students. He proposed the approach of getting employed upon graduation to be reframed into making entrepreneurship as a career of choice; that there should be a balanced emphasis of being employed and being an entrepreneur among students.
Among other eminent speakers were Dr. Siripan Choomnoom, Senior Advisor to OVEC, who spoke on “Frameworks for Integrating Entrepreneurship into TVET” and Dr. Pramod Shrestha, former CPSC Faculty Consultant and Coordinator of the National Education Foundation Consortium of Colleges Network who discussed “Embedding Entrepreneurship in TVET”. Included in the rosters of speakers was Prof. Dr. Noppadon, Founder and Director, SME office, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thanyaburi, who expounded the topic of “Incubation and Business Development Centers: Structures, Forms, Best Practices and Lessons Learned”.
The salient features of the seminar were the country paper presentations by delegates from the 11 CPSC member countries showcasing the variety of practices regarding integrating entrepreneurship into their TVET system. As a springboard for discussion, the participants asked interesting questions regarding different entrepreneurship systems and practices that are being implemented in their respective countries. The seminar was attended by 97 participants with representation from OVEC main offices and attached departments, RMUTT and education society of Thailand and including the RP’s international delegates.
Dr. Naim delivered the closing remarks by terming it as meeting its objectives as it aroused a lot of enthusiasm among the participants and appreciated the organizers of the seminars for their sincere efforts to make it a lively event. He proposed that the commonalities and variations among approaches by different countries be taken as guidelines to improve each country’s effort in developing entrepreneurship in students.
 Dr. Naim Yaakub, CPSC Director General, welcomes participants to the seminar. |
 Dr. Naim Yaakub delivers his presentation. |
 International seminar participants listen intently to speakers during the sessions. |
