CatSU FabLab: Turning Visions into Fruitions

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CatSU FabLab: Turning Visions into Fruitions

Amidst the numerous academic learning spaces inside the Catanduanes State University (CatSU), it is a haven for dreamers who dare to materialize their imaginations into artfully crafted realities- 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒂𝒕𝑺𝑼 𝑭𝒂𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑳𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚.

For the Fablab manager, Mr. Edmund Salvador, the smell of burnt wood and the mechanical whirring sounds of the 3D printers inside the CatSU FabLab is a continuous proof of the university’s innovation in pursuing excellent artistry. With the FabLab building, creative aspirations would not require laborious effort and time to become tangible masterpieces.

“Noong wala pang FabLab, mano-manong ginagawa ang mga disenyo at kailangan [talagang] maglaan ng sapat na oras upang magawa ang isang proyekto/produkto. Ang mga estudyante [rin] ay hindi gaano o walang masyadong alam sa paggamit ng digital printers,” Mr. Salvador said, highlighting how the FabLab helped birth creative geniuses inside the campus.

“Ngayon ang mga estudyante mismo ay nahahawakan at nao-operate ang 3D printed machine, mas naging creative ang concept ng mga estudyante sa pagdisenyo. Nabigyan ng pagkakataon ang estudyante, teaching and non-teaching [staff] na gumawa ng mga disenyo gamit ang advanced digital manufacturing technology.”

Meanwhile, for students like Jeremiah M. Arevalo, 2nd Year Mechanical Technology student, the CatSU FabLab is an avenue for them to further hone their craft.

“Dakolang tabang po sako [ang FabLab], sa alog kong students ‘ta may bago nanaman na namatidan. Dakolang tabang po sako ta permi po adiyan sila Ma'am Jeiscelle S. Tomagan, Ma'am Evelyn Romero, and Sir Edmund Salvador para po tabangan ako para makamatid sa pagkumpuni buda mag-engage sa FabLab.”

Apart from supporting technology-driven product innovation and prototyping, the CatSU FabLab also opens its doors to locally produced handicrafts, converging technology, arts, and indigenous materials.

“[Mahalaga na ma-involve ang students sa paggawa ng local products] para po maipasa ‘mi sa ibang henerasyon [at] ma-sustain po ang pag gibo ning mga local products uya sa Catanduanes,” Jeremiah added, mentioning that he started making locally produced crafts when he was still in 8th grade.

As CatSU continues its pursuit of knowledge and academic excellence, the university also places a premium on the profound impact on the ones that breathe life into our existence- the arts. A celebration of love for the arts, the CatSU FabLab is where visions become reality and reality becomes what we envision.  #AClemente