Singapore training advances SUCs' officials, faculty's technology education

MANILA, Philippines – One hundred seventy-six faculty members and officials of 31 state universities and colleges (SUCs) have received training to boost their capacity to teach engineering and other technology-focused college degree programs from experts of the prestigious Singaporean educational institution, the Nanyang Polytechnic International (NYP).

Dr. Patricia Licuanan, chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), hailed Singapore’s Temasek Foundation, a non-profit philanthropic organization, for stepping forward with the S$1.12 million grant that made the training program of SUC professors and officials on technology education possible.

The beneficiaries included 96 specialist teachers in industrial electronics and mechatronics engineering, 70 senior officials from the 31 participating SUCs, and ten senior officials of CHED which included Commissioner William Medrano.

The training were held in eight batches conducted from January until this month.

Under a partnership forged late last year between CHED, Temasek Foundation and NYP, the beneficiaries were trained in technical manpower development by their counterparts from the Singaporean polytechnic institution known for its top-rate international faculty and state-of-the-art facilities.  

NYP is a training partner of the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as other government agencies. It also supports the Singapore Government’s technical assistance initiatives to help developing countries meet their manpower development needs. 

Benedict Cheong, chief executive officer of Temasek Foundation, expressed hope that the beneficiaries will spread the knowledge they have gained in the training program to their peers in other SUCs.

“This capacity-building program complements the efforts of Philippine authorities to develop its technical and technological manpower. After completing their initial training, participants will continue to share their learning with their peers to facilitate improvements in systems and processes that will enhance the standards of higher education in the Philippines,” Cheong said. 

The 31 state universities and colleges that participated in the training program included Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, Mariano Marcos State University, University of Northern Philippines, Pangasinan State University, Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, Abra State Institute of Science and Technology, Batanes State College, Bulacan State University, Tarlac State University, University of Rizal System, Batangas State University, Western Philippines University, Marinduque State College, Camarines Sur Polytechnic College, Camarines Norte State College, Western Visayas College of Science and Technology, Cebu Technological University, Negros Oriental State University, Bohol Island State University, Naval State University, Southern Leyte State University, University of Eastern Philippines, Northwest Samar State University, Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College, Mindanao University of Science and Technology, University of Southeastern Philippines, Caraga State University, Technological University of the Philippines, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Rizal Technological University, and Philippine State College of Aeronautics.