CatSU CEA BSCpE students go on week-long Educational Tour in Metro Manila to enhance learning experience
StudentsThe Catanduanes State University (CatSU) College of Engineering and Architecture's BS in Computer Engineering (CEA BSCpE) sent off its sixty-seven (67) fourth-year students and two (2) faculty coordinators, Engr. Ronnie B. Santelices and Engr. Morris U. Aquino, for a week-long educational tour in Metro Manila on February 26, 2023.
The tour aimed to ensure a sustainable teaching and learning delivery process and included extracurricular pursuits to increase the students' learning chances and develop the connection between academia and industry in line with the Computer Engineering program criteria.
Engr. Santelices, the Computer Engineering Department Chair, stated that these extracurricular activities were designed to support and help students have a more fulfilling learning experience outside the regular classroom teaching programs.
During the tour, the students visited several notable institutions. At the PAGASA Science Garden in Diliman, Quezon City, they observed cutting-edge technology used to provide weather-related information, goods, and services, making communities more resilient to typhoons, floods, landslides, and other extreme weather events.
The students also went to the DOST Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) and the DOST Electronic Product Development Center (DOST-EPDC), both in Diliman, Quezon City. They were introduced to the scientific research and development of advanced domains like information and communications technology, microelectronics, and the provision of prototype design and fabrication of printed circuit boards (PCB) and electronic product testing.
The tour also included a visit to Hytec Power Incorporated in Novaliches, Quezon City. Here, students learned about the provision of consistent industrial solutions to common industry problems to increase job productivity, operational efficiency, workplace safety, and job skill mismatch solutions.
Another stop was Packetworx IoT Technology Hub in Ortigas Center, Pasig, Metro Manila. Packetworx is the leading source of hardware and software solutions for system integrators and developers to use in the development of various IoT solutions.
Included in the itinerary also was the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) - College of Engineering and Architecture in Sta. Mesa, Manila. The students saw the college's technological advancement in computer laboratories and equipment that provides greater opportunity for students.
The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde was also visited, where the Multimedia Arts curriculum combines essential skills such as communication, programming, and graphic design with cutting-edge technology like digital media and the Internet.
Lastly, the group visited the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in Taguig City. TESDA is mandated to establish an accreditation system for institutions engaged in middle-level manpower development and support technical education and skills development programs and initiatives. The Green Technology Center, Technology, Research and Development Division, Competence Assessment Division, Mechatronics Labs, and Learning Development Division were all made open to students.
“We
are thankful to our College Dean, Engr. Pedro A. Arcilla, Jr., and of course to
our SUC President, Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, for all the support and
guidance in this educational trip for our students. Our senior students are
also grateful for the approval by our officials, that they have been sent to do
fish bowling, have been given access to effective and engaging learning
experience through worthwhile off-campus activities, and ultimately, have been
given the chance of getting a taste of the real world,” Engr. Aquino said. #CVecilles
