The Iloilo Science and Technology University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Central Philippine University (CPU) in fostering regional innovation and entrepreneurship while strengthening the collaboration between the local government, private sector and the community. The collaboration maybe realized through the Technopreneurship Hub, otherwise known as CPU Center for Ideation Realization and Commercialization Technopreneurship Hub (CPU CIRaC TECHHUB), a project funded by the Commission on Higher Education through the Institutional Development Innovation Grant.

Under the MOU, both institutions collaborate in developing and growing a pipeline of potential technology enterprise to the dissemination of TECHHUB promotional materials and nomination of possible applicants and on progressing existing research project through the TECHHUB’s technology business incubator.

The ISAT U and CPU also agreed to collaborate on the development of Technology Track and other related activities that will contribute to the improvement or success of the program.

The development of Technopreneurship 101 Instructional Materials and Workbooks which is one of the areas of agreement was realized during the PhilDev and CPU technopreneurship workshops on June 7, 2019, the day the MOU was signed. College of Engineering and Architecture Profs. Naci John C. Trance, Tajimi Faith H. Castano , Alfonso C. Abordaje, Freddie M. Gigataras and Philip Lloyd E. Legada joined other engineering professors in Western Visayas and collaborated for the development of instructional materials.

The MOU is based on the principles that ISAT U and CPU CIRaC desires to develop academic exchange and cooperation in entrepreneurship in engineering curriculum between the two institutions.

Dr. Raul F. Muyong, ISAT U President and Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, CPU President, signed the MOU during the Technopreneurship Hub Project Tehnopreneurship Workshop at the CPU.

The University  celebrated the UNESCO-UNEVOC World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) through skills demonstration  on July 15, 2019. The activities aimed to guide the students on the importance and future of vocational education.  ISAT U is one of  the two UNESCO-UNEVOC centers in the Philippines.

A simultaneous activity on Global Cuisine demonstration by renowned chef Mr. Oscar J. Salazar III and the 2D Digital Animation Demonstration were witnessed by the students from different ISAT U campuses. The students also displayed their skills in the TVET Photo Competition 2019 that focused on culture and industry.

In his message, Dr. Raul F. Muyong gave emphasis on the dwindling number of students taking up TVET courses. He also pointed out the opportunities for vocational courses as it grow with Industry 4.0. The message of Dr. Muyong is in line with the concern on underemployment in 3D jobs (dirty, dangerous and difficult) generated by TVET education and training which is one of the focus of the WYSD 2019.

In his global address, Dr. Shyamal Majumdar, Head of UNESCO-UNEVOC International Council expounded the theme “Learning to Learn for Work and Life.” He focused on the changes of the world which has rapid, drastic and serious consequences on the work and life. Dr. Majumdar pointed out that technological changes the way we live, work and learn, and socialize and also a challenge to prepare the future job. “ Rapid changing technology poses a big challenge on how to prepare young people on the job that do not yet exist. ‘ he said

He offered a solution on reports that 60% of the children entering grade school today ends up in jobs that do not exist yet. “Mere technical understanding is not enough for the future world of work,” he said, “there is a need to develop transversal skills which includes adaptability skills, learning to learn skill, entrepreneurial skill and foundation skill to prepare the learner for future job.”

Dr Majumdar also emphasized that the World Youth Skills Day display the importance of technical and vocational education and training in providing youth an opportunity to develop their competency. “Preparing the youth with a wide ranging skills prepare them for the job today and emerging occupation of tomorrow, “he said.

Hon. Lili Nurlaili, Culture and Education Attache, Embassy of Republic of Indonesia, also gave an international touch to the occasion. She talked on Batik Basics: The Art of Batik making and its high artistic value. The participants let out their artistry and creativity when they were made to develop Batik designs.

Designed to revive and to develop the hand-loom weaving (hablon) and fiber industry, the country’s first Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center (RYPIC) will soon emerge at Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U).

The Memorandum of Agreement for the launching of the PHP 41.57 million facility was signed by ISAT U, Department of Science and Technology (DOST), DOST-Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI), the Municipality of Miagao, and the Iloilo Greatwomen Philippines Corporation (GWPhC) at ISAT U Miagao Campus on March 8, 2019.

Hand-loom weaving has been part of Miagao’s cultural and historical heritage. The once thriving hand-loom weaving in the region dates back in the 18th century. Mayor Macario Napulan recalled that Miagao was the center for the handwoven textile and there were almost 4,000 looms in the municipality then.

However, the migration of workers to the sugar industry in Negros and the availability of ready-to-wear caused the decline of the industry.

Ms. Celia Elumba, PTRI Director, explained how the project was formed. “We didn’t start with a concept, thinking that it is simply prototyping. Meaning we really insisted that this is going to be production and innovation. It was produced to fuel an industry,” she said.

On her visit at ISAT U on July 28 last year, Ms. Elumba said that fabrics made of indigenous materials and woven the traditional way are high-priced. “Hand woven-fabrics are more expensive, especially abroad, if made of native materials such as cotton, abaca or pineapple fibers” she explained. Giving importance to its social, economic, ecological and sustainability components, she also emphasized the use of dyes from local plants and materials that add value to the fabric. PTRI, the premier textile research and development arm of the DOST, set the goal of producing purely and uniquely Filipino products.

ISAT U’s challenges on research and development

Considering its thrust on research and development, ISAT U will act as Chief Coordinator among the parties. Aside from the production facility at Miagao Campus, the Iloilo City Campus will provide expertise in science, engineering and technology for the development of natural dyes and materials and for prototyping the loom machines.

Dr. Carmelo V. Ambut, ISAT U Vice President for Research and Extension Services, said that the University is challenged to create distinct and unique blends of cotton with other local fibers. “There are a lot of plants, like bamboo, that could be potential source of fibers. In research, everything is possible,” he said.

“We will also conduct ethnobotanical researches, cultivate and propagate raw fabric materials that was never used before. We will also develop equipment for pre-treatment, degumming and spinning to speed up production.” Dr. Ambut added.

He also divulged a plan of creating a “power loom” for mass production of indigenous fabrics. “Power looms will be used for mass production of polyester-free fabric and reduces the use of plastic. This contributes to environmental concerns.” He also negates the effect of power loom to hand-loom weaving. “Hablon produce by hand-loom will maintain its prestige and value since it is considered as special fabric and is not mass produced, “ Dr. Ambut explained.

A textile village is also envisioned to propel economy and boost the municipality’s tourism. This features a mini museum showcasing the hablon’s evolution, a training center and hands-on facility in hablon-making and a souvenir shop.

The University considers Dumangas and Leon Campuses’ potentials for cultivating raw materials. ISAT U President Dr. Raul F. Muyong said that the 85-hectare property in Brgy. Aglalana, Passi City will be developed to produce pineapples to be able to “supply the requirements of the center, both for production purposes of textiles and for research and development.”

Through the project, Dr. Muyong is also looking at the opportunity to open new programs on weaving and the fabric industry. The board has been discussing about opening a Certificate in Textile Technology that will train students on the textile process, later, Diploma in Textile Technology where research in natural fiber will be developed and the Bachelor of Science in Textile Technology to produce manpower.

He is optimistic that the center will bring back the interest of students in weaving. “ISAT U used to offer weaving as one of the electives sa girls trade but as the time goes, wala na sang nagka-interest, thus nagdeteriorate ang ila looms. But I hope that with this, we will be able to integrate into curriculum this program and bring back their interest,” said Dr. Muyong.

RYPIC and its impact to research, industry and economy

Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga, DOST RO6 Director, emphasized the importance of the yarn center. “This is one of the biggest facilities in terms of yarn production outside of PTRI. This is the first in the country. This will now be the basis for any possible subsequent projects in other parts of the Philippines,” he said.

Gelonga added that 29 million of the 41.57 million peso budget will be used for the equipment and the remaining for the supply and materials. The project will have 9 equipment and ancillaries for fiber pre-treatment and 18 for yarn production.

The project is also expected to strengthen research and development. “Our facility can be used by researchers and scientists to produce more technologies. They can experiment new types of yarns, although we are now focused on cotton,” said Engr. Gelonga.

On the same note, Dr. Muyong said that, “this will give opportunity to ISAT U to improve its research culture because we are the only science and technology university in the region. Our role in research development is very important.”

As to its impact to the community, Engr. Gelonga cited the benefits of the project to the locals. He stressed that  “we can be able to localize everything, we can plant our own cotton, we can produce our own thread and yarns and give it to our weavers, so more people can benefit.”

Mayor Macario Napulan said that the project is a big lift to the town’s hablon-making industry and could spur development in the country’s textile industry. “The regional center is an improvement not only in the weaving industry textile production in Maigao but also in the country, “he said. In 2013, Napulan started reviving the industry with only 50 weavers left and the number increased by 200.

Considering the sustainability of the project and the marketability of the products, the GWPhC in close coordination with the University will oversee the implementation of the project. At the lapse of the two-year period of the Agreement, it will take over the ownership and operation of the RYPIC.

Aimed to raise the consciousness of the University Academic Community on the revised guidelines on Unified TVET Programs Registration and Accreditation System (UTPRAS) registration, scholarships and other programs offered by Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),  a forum on  increasing awareness towards quality TVET programs was held at ISAT U Research Hub on March 22, 2019.

The salient features  of quality TVET programs was elaborated by Ms. Gina Sophia Mondejar, Technical  Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Iloilo Provincial Director. On the other hand,  Ms. Ofelia de la Cruz, TESDA Supervising Specialist, explained the scholarship guidelines.

Senior TESD Specialist  Shiela H. Judilla, on the other hand, discussed the Unified Program Registration and Accreditation (UTPRAS). The  impact of the Universal Access on Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA) to technical-vocational education was presented by Ms. Agnes Dimzon, TESD Specialist II.

Prof. Jeanneth Darroca, steering committee chair, said that registering under the UTPRAS  would  enable the students  to avail scholarships funded by TESDA and the faculty of training and scholarships.  “Our TVET courses would benefit not only on the scholarships and training but also on the facilities TESDA may give us, “ Darroca said.

 

Believing  that stronger partnership is essential in students’ development and learning, an Industry Linkages Recognition and   Fellowship was held on March 12,  2019 at Diversion 21, Iloilo City

Through the years,  the University has been working with various companies and agencies for  students’ activities such as on-the-job trainings, industry immersion,  scholarships, job opportunities and other support services.   One hundred and twenty four (124)  partner companies were present to renew friendship and meet new acquaintances.

Initiated by the Industry Linkages and Development Office (ILDO), the affair also aimed to     strengthen industry linkages, enhance the students performance to the industry, and recognize and   renew partnership of industries.