DATE:
June 20-22, 2024
Venue:
Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) Bldg. C, Department of Education Complex,
Meralco Avenue, Pasig City, Metro Manila, 1600 Philippines
Type:
Customized Program
PARTNER ORGANIZATION:
Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) and
Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco

Background and Rationale

A mandate in Technical and Vocational Training and Education (TVET) is to develop technical human resources. One of the basic foundations for linking technical human resources development with labor market opportunities is to have available evidence-based data and information that can stimulate policy formulation, curricular reforms, pedagogical focus and educational initiatives.

Research is considered as one among others, duty of TVET institutions. It is believed to be an instrument that can bring solutions to some of the TVET strategy implementation problems and it has the potential to direct the TVET institutions on how to prepare students to face the world of work.

The TVET research is a unique education sector, which is directly related to the shaping of transition from education to the employment system. This characteristic of TVET, which distinguishes it from all the other sectors of education systems, has far-reaching consequences.

Through the years, it has been reported that assessment of programs, projects, curriculum, and instructional materials have been increasingly difficult. Basis for policy decisions are scarce due to either lack of data or seemingly inadequate skills of TVET officials and teachers in problem solving , development and evaluation of programs, projects and innovations. In fact as of 2022, the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) revealed that among the seven criteria of accreditation, Research and development received the lowest rank among the APACC Accredited Institutions. This is one scenario we would like to improve.

In this age where misinformation is rampant, knowing how to correctly conduct research is a skill that will set you apart from others. This program will somehow go over what research is, explore its use and importance in TVET and breaks down the process into simple straightforward steps.

The word research is derived from the Middle French word “recerche,” which means “to seek.” That term came from the Old French word “recerchier,” meaning “search.” But what exactly is being sought during research? It is knowledge and information.

Research is the methodical process of collecting and analyzing data to expand your knowledge, so you can have enough information to answer a question or describe, explain, or predict an issue or observation.

The meaning of research may sound quite heavy and significant, but that’s because it is. Proper research guides you to weed out wrong information like some myths we will try to eliminate: That,

  • Research is for the bright of minds
  • Research is the domain of the scientists
  • Research is for those pursuing graduate programs
  • Research is for the young
  • Relevant capacities in TVET are inadequate/ underdeveloped

It must be understood that research can be undertaken by anyone in TVET be him/her is an institutional manager, teaching or non-teaching personnel. And to bear in mind that TVET is a fertile ground for research.

Today, having that skill is vital. It is in this light that this program was conceived. It is hoped that you will be part of a developing research culture in TVET, with simple and easy-to-follow steps.

Objectives

The objectives of the training program are to:

  • enhance the quality, relevance, and effectiveness of vocational education and training programs through research
  • develop basic skills in conducting research in TVET
  • prepare a capsule research proposal

Program Contents

In order to achieve the above objectives, the following steps in generating a research project will be covered:

  • Step 1: Choose your topic
  • Step 2: Identify a problem
  • Step 3: Formulate research questions
  • Step 4: Create a research design
  • Step 5: Write a research proposal

Instructional Strategies

To facilitate productive and interactive learning, the following instructional strategies will be utilized to effectively train the participants with progressions until development end in acquiring skills; new learning with prior learning, deepening one's understanding, and improving skills. Spiraling reflects not only developmental, but it means to grow and mature in research, until it becomes a way of life even beyond attendance to this program.

  • Online lectures
  • Experience sharing
  • Brainstorming exercises
  • Group and team workshop tasks

Participants' Profile

The program is specifically designed for twenty one (21) teaching & non-teaching staff from 5 TVET Centers of the Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco in the Philippines.

Program Management and Resource Persons

Program Supervisor and Resource Person Prof. G. L. D. Wickramasinghe ([email protected]) is the first Sri Lankan and the 12th Director General of CPSC. He is also the concurrent President of Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC).

Prior to his appointment as the Director General, he was a professor at the Department of Textile and Clothing Technology, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka since 2015. Here also held key administrative posts during his career: as a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Vocational Technology (2016-2019), former Chairman of the Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CODL) of the University of Moratuwa (2015-2016), and former head of the Department of Textile and Clothing Technology (2009-2012).

He also served as the Chairman of Alethea International School (2017-2021), an independent non-executive Director of Orit Apparels Lanka Ltd. (2014-2016), and Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel (2010-2015). He also served as the Director of Technical and Quality Assurance of Brandix Textiles Ltd (2013-2014). He also served as chairman and member of various public sector strategic and technical committees.

He also published over 60 research publications on topics related to textile engineering and educational management, of which over 30 are international refereed journal publications.

He was honored with 18 national and international awards including Emerald Literary Award (2018), President's Award for Scientific Publications (2017), and NRC Merit Award for Scientific Publication (2016, 2011). The World Education Congress also honored him with the award for Outstanding Contribution to Education in “Sri Lanka Education Leadership Awards” in 2018.

Prof. Wickramasinghe is a graduate of a Bachelor of Science in Textile Engineering from the University of Moratuwa in 1993 by which he obtained first class honors. He finished his PhD at the University of Manchester in 2003. He also obtained a PG Certificate in Learning and Teaching, the University of Arts London, UK in 2006 and an MBA in the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka in 2008.

Program Coordinator and Pesource Person Prof. Romulita C. Alto, EdD ([email protected]) has retired from government service in 2006, however, she continuously impart her knowledge in various capacities like currently, she is a CPSC Project-Based Faculty Consultant and Accreditor of APACC.

She has been associated with CPSC since 1992 in various capacities. From 1992-1994, she was a Research Associate. From 1997 to 2001, she was engaged as Governing Board engaged Core Faculty Consultant and Chairperson of Consultancy and Marketing Division and Research and Development Division. Dr. Alto is the lead author of CPSC’s best-selling book - the Research in TVET Made Easy and was the lead reviewer of the APACC documents in 2013 – 2014.

She was able to handle several high-profile assignments and projects in ADB and JICA, being an educator and international consultant for more than 50 years.

Dr. Alto is the recipient of the Outstanding Public School Teacher of the City of Manila in 1971, the Most Outstanding Natural Science Teacher of the Year in 1972, and the Outstanding Faculty Member of the Technological University of the Philippines in 2005. Among the scholarship grants she enjoyed are the CDG-Gesellschaft scholarship at the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand on Remote Sensing Technology and Environmental Resources Management, Asia Foundation Scholarship on the Teaching of CBA Chemistry, and Teaching of Chemistry at RECSAM in Penang Malaysia and a Shell Philippines Chemistry scholar at the University of the Philippines.

Dr. Alto earned her Doctoral Degree in Educational Administration in 1984, Master’s Degree in Teaching Chemistry in 1970, Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics and Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1961 all from the University of the Philippines.

Resource Person Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen([email protected]) is the current Governing Board- Engaged Faculty Consultant in the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC). His academic expertise is on optical communication, industrial engineering and instrumentation, satellite communication, wireless communication, computer aided design for electronic design, semiconductor technology, digital communication, RF and Microwave technology.

He obtained his Ph.D. in Wireless Communication at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 2014, and his Master of Engineering degree in Electrical, Electronic and Telecommunication in 2005 in the same university. He has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Electronics and Telecommunication) degree from the College University Institute of Tun Hussein Onn (KUITTHO), currently known as UTHM - Malaysia where he also obtained a post- graduate Diploma in Education in 1999. He also has a Certificate and Diploma in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering from Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Polytechnic in Pahang, Malaysia.

He has an extensive teaching experience in higher technical education working as a lecturer at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Polytechnic (POLISAS), Kuantan, Pahang from 1999- 2003; and as lecturer plus training officer at Sultan Azlan Shah Polytechnic (PSAS), Tanjung Malim, Perak from 2005- 2008. He was appointed as Senior Lecturer at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Polytechnic (POLISAS) from 2009-2016.

He was posted as Head of Department for Mathematical, Science and Computer at Polytechnic Sandakan Sabah, at East Malaysia at Borneo Island from 2017-2021.His last position was as Principal Lecturer in Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Polytechnic (POLISAS), Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. Dr. Kesavan has been in charge and has successfully facilitated relevant human resource management areas such as Job Analysis, Recruitment and selection, Training and Development, Compensation matters, Motivation and Reward, Engagement and Employee relationship and Employee Health and Safety.

Resource Person Mr. Paulo Anthony Mendoza([email protected]) is the current Research, Publications, and Information Division Officer (RPID) of the Colombo Plan Staff College, Manila, Philippines. He has been with the Staff College since 2022. As RPID Officer, he is responsible for managing all the research activities of the College and the development of publication materials including the official CPSC’s international journal, newsletters, and periodicals. He also assists the Office of the Director General in the planning and formulation of the Staff College’s five-year Strategic Plan and operationalization of the CPSC-QMS’ risk management matrix.

He has presented in national and international research conferences and published seminar papers in various academic journals, fora, and digital media. In 2023, he has co-authored a research paper titled Trends, Challenges, and Innovations of APACC-Accredited TVET Institutions in Asia Pacific Based on the Established APACC Criteria which was presented and published as part of the International Conference on TVET and Sustainable Development and CPSC’s Scholarly Technical Education and Publication Series (STEPS).

Mr. Mendoza finished his Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences Major in Area Studies in 2018 from the University of the Philippines Manila where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He also completed coursework units in Master of International Studies at the University of the Philippines Diliman from 2020 to 2022.

Program Schedule