TESDA chief cited for education scheme

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director general Augusto Boboy Syjuco was recently conferred by the Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) with an honorary doctorate degree in industrial technology.

The conferment rites was held at the EARIST campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila and was attended by school officials, students, alumni and guests from the national and local governments and Congress.

Syjuco was cited for his leadership and extensive work in the promotion and institutionalization of the "ladderized education program" in the country.

For his part, the TESDA chief explained that the ladderized education program, which President Arroyo promulgated under Executive Order 358, allows the harmonization of technical-vocational training and higher education.

He said the ladderized interface between vocational-technical training and higher education in a joint project of TESDA and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) was implemented starting school year 2006 in eight disciplines.

Some 75 TESDA schools and CHED higher education institutions nationwide offer ladderized programs.

Meanwhile, TESDA is currently holding a "nationwide career caravan" to promote the ladderized education system among junior and senior high school students and their parents.

Manila City Mayor Lito Atienza and Dr. Nona Ricafort, CHED commissioner and chairman of the EARIST board of trustees, presided over the holding and capping ceremony.