CPSC Board Members and representatives gathered once again to discuss important matters at the 110th CPSC Governing Board Meeting (GBM) held on January 28, 2021. As the threats of COVID-19 pandemic still loom over Manila, the meeting is conducted online via Zoom Virtual Meeting platform.
Attendees of the 110th GB Meeting (L-R). (First Row) Dr. Ramhari Lamichhane, CPSC Director General; H.E. Betty Palaso, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea; H.E. Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad Kazi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; H.E. Asad Alam Siam, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. (Second Row) Mrs. Thanuja Dissanayake, Charge d'Affaires, a.i., Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; H.E. U Lwin Oo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and GB Vice-Chairperson; Mr. Rizany Irwan Muhamad Mazlan (representing H.E. Norman Bin Muhamad), Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Malaysia and GB Chairperson; H.E. Shambhu S. Kumaran, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of India; Mrs. Rosalinda Gonzales, CPSC Finance Officer. (Third Row) Dr. Rangsan Thepmondhri, Director of International Strategy and External Relations Division, Office of Vocational Education Commission (OVEC), Thailand; Ms. Emma R. Sarne, Director for Socio-Cultural Division, United Nations and International Organizations – Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA-UNIO); Ms. Maria Susan P. Dela Rama, Executive Director – Certification Office, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Philippines; Ms. Casey Joan Alvarez, CPSC HR Officer; Mr. Felix Sibal, CPSC ICT Officer. (Fourth Row) Representative from the Embassy of Myanmar; Mr. Jan Michael Marasigan, CPSC Executive Secretary; Ms. Tezla Gael G. Raquinio, Assistant Information Officer; Embassy of Malaysia; H.E. Gerard Ho Wei Hong, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Singapore (not in photo).
The meeting is presided by the Malaysia Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Rizany Irwan Muhamad Mazlan (representing H.E. Norman Bin Muhamad), who initiated the deliberation of the agenda of the meeting. First agenda is the proposed updates on the CPSC’s Strategic Plan 2018-2023 from the outputs of the institution and industry experts at the Midterm Review Meeting last December 2020. Some significant revisions are the increase in the conferences, webinars and special programs, as well as in the research projects and outputs to be conducted until the Strategic Plan’s conclusion in 2023. The revisions were well-received by the board members, with some stating that this is a good initiative from CPSC to further widen the reach of beneficiaries of the training programs.
Mr. Rizany Irwan Muhamad Mazlan (representing H.E. Norman Bin Muhamad), Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Malaysia presiding the 110th GBM.
Another significant agenda presented at the meeting is the status of the recruitment and selection of the new CPSC Director General. Poised to be appointed before the end of first quarter of the year, the new DG will succeed Dr. Ramhari Lamichhane, who will conclude his term in September 2021. Launched in June 2020, the recruitment process yielded the top candidates among the 18 applicants from across the Asia-Pacific region.
Dr. Ramhari Lamichhane starts the presentation of the agenda items and proposed actions to the board.
Other regular meeting agenda deliberated at the meeting are the actions taken by the CPSC Secretariat based on the 109th GB Meeting board decisions, external audit results of CPSC’s financial statements for FY 2019-2020, and CPSC’s Midyear Performance Review for FY 2021-2021.
External financial auditors from Valdez, Abad, and Company headed by Ms. Corazon Enriquez presenting the report on CPSC’s financial statements for FY 2019-2020.
