Mindanao Leg: Caraga State University
Butuan City, June 28, 2024 – The College of Engineering at the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD COE) proudly announces the successful “Exploratory Discussions on Collaborative Effort to Scale Up Graduate Engineering Education Nationwide” (Mindanao leg) held at the H.E.R.O Learning Commons of Caraga State University. This marks a significant step forward in addressing the challenges and opportunities in graduate engineering education across the Philippines.
Leading the event was Dr. Maria Antonia N. Tanchuling, Dean of the UPD College of Engineering, who warmly welcomed attendees and expressed gratitude to Caraga State University for hosting the meeting. In her opening remarks, Dr. Tanchuling emphasized the importance of discussions on collaboration and innovation in enhancing the quality and reach of engineering education nationwide.
The discussions focused on the common challenges faced by state universities and colleges in increasing the number of offered graduate programs and graduate students. Key officials from the UPD College of Engineering, as well as representatives from various SUCs in the meeting, discussed challenges and potential solutions and areas for collaboration to tackle these challenges.
Present at the event were Dr. Louis Angelo M. Danao, Director of the UPD National Graduate School of Engineering (NGSE), Prof. Rowaldo G. Del Mundo, Associate Dean for Public Engagement, Dr. Czar Jakiri S. Sarmiento, Deputy Executive Director of the UP National Engineering Center (NEC), Dr. Guillermo Q. Tabios III, Professor Emeritus and expert on Water Resources Engineering of the UP Institute of Civil Engineering, Dr. Ayin Μ. Tamondong, Chairperson of the UP Department of Geodetic Engineering, Engr. Christian G. Arranz, Assistant Chairperson of the UP Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering, Dr. Rinlee Butch M. Cervera, Program Coordinator of the Energy Engineering Program, and Ms. Joy B. Bolina, ERDT-Project Technical Specialist.
Dr. Roel M. Ocampo, Associate Dean for Research and ERDT Project Leader, presented the objectives and achievements of the Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT) project. Funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI), the ERDT aims to contribute to national development by increasing the number of researchers, scientists, and engineers in the country.
In addressing the larger national issue, the UPD College of Engineering suggested that ramping up the current graduate production and graduate program offerings by UPD COE, ERDT, and the HEI sector is essential. To meet the growing demands, comprehensive, inclusive, and collaborative graduate program development, faculty development, and synergistic integration of R&D collaboration and capacity building are necessary.
To this end, the University of the Philippines College of Engineering proposes the establishment of a nationwide network of HEIs aimed at enhancing graduate engineering education, research, and innovation for the sustainable industrialization of the Philippines. This network will focus on increasing the country’s researcher density in engineering fields, expanding graduate programs, developing human capital and infrastructure, and promoting resource and opportunity sharing across institutions.
Atty. Ronnie Azura, University of the Philippines System consultant for State Universities and Colleges Collaborations, also presented the University President’s SUCs/LUCs Collaboration Program. He highlighted the significance of UP’s mandate as a national university to lead in higher education and development, fostering collaboration among state and local universities and colleges to enhance the quality of higher education across public institutions.
The event was attended by distinguished guests, including officials from Caraga State University (CSU):
- Fernando T. Herrera, VP for Academic Affairs, representing Dr. Rolyn C. Daguil, President of Caraga State University
- Alexander T. Demetillo, VP for Administration and Finance
- Dr. Maria Shiela K. Ramos, Dean of MSU-IIT (Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology)
- Engr. Karla M. Madrid-Khalid, Acting Dean of MSU Main
- Dr. Renato O. Arazo, Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP)
- Dr. Cleto I. Nanola Jr., University of the Philippines Mindanao
- Prof. Anamarie Sajonia, Dean of Caraga State University College of Engineering
- Prof. Lovely Mae Dagsa, Associate Dean of Caraga State University College of Engineering
- Prof. Philip Donald C. Sanchez, CSU College QUAMS Coordinator
- Prof. Ricardo Edgardo Sajonia, CSU CRAFT Director
- Prof. Re-Ann Cristine O. Calimpusan, Chairperson, Electronics Engineering Department, CSU
- Prof. Arturo Cauba, Chairperson, Geodetic Engineering Department, CSU
- Prof. Marc Lin F. Abonales, Chairperson, Civil Engineering Department, CSU
- Prof. Cindy May Belivestre, ABE Faculty Member, CSU
- Prof. George Dotdot, Chairperson, Mining Engineering Department, CSU
- Prof. Nichole Anthony D. Pacle, Chairperson, Geology Department, CSU
Visayas Leg: University of the Philippines Cebu
Cebu City, July 1, 2024 – The University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) College of Engineering continued its series of nationwide consultative meetings with the Visayas leg of the “Exploratory Discussions on Collaborative Effort to Scale Up Graduate Engineering Education Nationwide” at the University of the Philippines Cebu Campus in Cebu City.
The event was opened by Dr. Maria Antonia N. Tanchuling, Dean of the UPD College of Engineering, who warmly welcomed attendees and expressed her gratitude to the various universities from the Visayas region for their participation. She also thanked UP Cebu Chancellor Atty. Leo B. Malagar for hosting the meeting and facilitating this important dialogue.
The meeting was attended by representatives from various higher education institutions (HEIs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs/LUCs) from the Visayas region, including:
- Prof. John Paul T. Yusiong, Chairperson of the Natural Science and Mathematics Department, University of the Philippines Tacloban
- Prof. Ronald M. Galindo, Dean of the College of Engineering, Cebu Technological University
- Engr. Martin Jan E. Mercurio, Geodetic Engineering Faculty, Visayas State University
- Prof. Rosana J. Ferolin, Dean of University of San Carlos – School of Engineering
- Prof. Rowena P. Calasara, Chemical Engineering Faculty, Iloilo Science and Technology University
- Prof. Corazon C. Coral, Civil Engineering Faculty, Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U)
The meeting saw the presence of representatives from the administration of the UP Diliman College of Engineering, including Dr. Louis Angelo M. Danao, Director of the National Graduate School of Engineering (NGSE), Prof. Rowaldo G. Del Mundo, Associate Dean for Public Engagement, Dr. Roel M. Ocampo, Associate Dean for Research and ERDT Project Leader, Dr. Czar Jakiri S. Sarmiento, Deputy Executive Director of the National Engineering Center, Engr. Christian G. Arranz, COE Information Officer & Assistant Chair of the UP Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering, and Ms. Joy B. Bolina, ERDT-Project Technical Specialist.
During the event, Dr. Roel M. Ocampo presented the objectives and achievements of the Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT) project, funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI). The ERDT aims to contribute to national development by increasing the number of researchers, scientists, and engineers in the country.
Participants shared similar and unique challenges related to faculty, graduate program offerings, constraints, and potential solutions to problems in engineering education, particularly at the graduate level. In addressing these issues, the UPD College of Engineering underscored the necessity of ramping up current graduate production and program offerings by UPD COE, ERDT, and the HEI sector. This requires comprehensive, inclusive, and collaborative efforts in graduate program development, faculty development, and synergistic integration of R&D collaboration and capacity building.
To meet these growing demands, the UPD College of Engineering proposed the establishment of a nationwide network of HEIs aimed at enhancing graduate engineering education, research, and innovation for the sustainable industrialization of the Philippines. This network will focus on increasing the country’s researcher density in engineering fields, expanding graduate programs, developing human capital and infrastructure, and promoting resource and opportunity sharing across institutions.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Tanchuling emphasized the significance of taking advantage of opportunities for collaboration among state universities and colleges to address common challenges, particularly the need to increase the number of graduate programs and graduate students (Master’s and PhD) and to develop more researchers to drive national industrialization.
These events mark the beginning of many consultations and meetings aimed at further discussing and refining this initiative nationwide. The UPD College of Engineering is committed to leading the charge in fostering a collaborative and innovative environment for graduate engineering education in the Philippines.