The Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities of Industrial Technology (PACUIT), Inc. organized the 13th PACUIT National Conference with the theme “Innovation: From Development to Commercialization”, held last May 20 – 22, 2015 at the Punta Villa Resort, Arevalo in Iloilo City. Hosting the conference was West Visayas State University, Western Visayas College of Science and Technology and Carlos Hilado Memorial State College.
Engr. Eric Jude S. Soliman, President of Hytec Power, Inc., was one of the resource speakers during the national conference with his topic entitled “Commercialization of Innovation Created through Research and Development: Industry Experience.”
The HPI president shared how the company has helped bridge the gap between education and training to industry requirements. It has provided new technologies, pioneering industrial processes and 21st century didactic practices to bring education and training up to the time and needs of the growing industry and community. HPI has held hands with educational and training institutions, industry and community to start better programs that meet the needs of individual workers, industries and communities as a strategy for national development. Furthermore, he emphasized that HPI will not stop searching for innovative solutions to help in nation building.
“We need your help as the producers of competitive manpower,” he said. “HPI’s Corporate Social Responsibility aims on contributing to a happy, peaceful, productive and prosperous Filipino society. Let us make this partnership a real cornerstone for sustainable national development.”
On the other hand, Dr. Perfecto A. Alibin, President of the University of Southeastern Philippines, shared the academe experience by discussing how the academe and industry can collaborate, sustain and nurture each other through partnership.
One of the highlights of his topic, entitled “University-Industry Partnership in Producing New Technology for Equitable Socio-Economic Development,” was USEP’s experience on the Academe – Industry Partnership. He related how the institution partners with industries in and out of the country to enhance instruction and curriculum; for students’ on-the-job training and employment; for research, development and extension funds; for students’ scholarships; for faculty development; and for technology development. He also presented the outcomes of the partnerships.
One of his concluding statements was anchored on economic relevance where the need for academic institutions to be constantly informed and updated on trends and opportunities in the industry is of paramount importance. The program offerings of the service providers should not remain static, given the extremely dynamic business environment we have today. Business and industry can share their strategic views and inform the providers what they would require. In turn, the service providers must be flexible with a robust system for designing and developing skills programs that meet specific requirements but with a reasonably long shelf life. These are two challenging areas that both sectors could work in.
In its effort to strengthen its Industry – Academe Linkage Program, Hytec Power, Inc. represented by its president Engr. Eric Jude S. Soliman signed a Memorandum of Agreement with USEP represented by its president Dr. Perfecto A. Alibin.
Both parties will pursue cooperation of the following areas: On-the-Job Training/Internship for Students; Faculty Industry Immersion Program; Curriculum Enhancement and Development; Applied Research and Project Development; Assessment and Certification for Students and Trainers; and Faculty Development & Technology-based Training Methods. The MOA signing was witnessed by Dr. Nora M. Ponce, President – PACUIT Inc & Zamboanga City State Polytechnic College, Dr. Adora S. Pili, President – Technological University of the Philippines, Dr. Renato M. Sorolla, President – Carlos Hilado Memorial State College, Dr. Renato V. Alba, Executive Director – PACUIT Inc,, Dr. Cornelio C. Garcia, President – Ramon Magsaysay Technological University & Dr. Elpidio T. Magante, President – Bohol Island State University.
