ACSCU and UniTVET ink Memorandum of Agreement
The Association of Christian Schools, Colleges, and Universities (ACSCU) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Unified TVET of the Philippines, Inc. (UniTVET) for collaborative efforts aimed at cultivating excellence in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).
Silliman University (SU) and ACSCU President, Dr. Betty Cernol McCann signed the MoA with UniTVET during the recently concluded Visayas TVET Conference 2024 and Capability Building Program on Quality Management System in Cebu City on March 7-8, 2024.
The MoA enables ACSCU and UniTVET to work together “for quality and excellence in TVET, within the parameters of fostering skills and development and preparing individuals for workforce development.”
Also, during the Visayas TVET Conference, SU Technical, Educational Vocational, and Entrepreneurial Center (TEVEC) Head Blanchie M. Utzurrum took her oath as the board secretary for Central Visayas TVET Federation’s board of directors.
The oath taking was conducted by Hon. Sec. Suharto T. Mangundadatu (Ph. D.), Director General of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
“Being elected as an officer in the Central Visayas TVET Federation can definitely have an advantage not only for SU but also for other Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs) in the province, regarding matters and concerns on technical vocational education,” Utzurrum said in a separate interview.
For instance, Utzurrum explained, being the board secretary could guarantee access to more updated information regarding technical vocational programs in the province, which can then be easily disseminated to other provincial TVIs. In the same vein, these TVIs can channel their concerns and other pressing issues directly to her, who could then lobby them to the board.
She also added that the MoA between UniTVET and ACSCU, through Dr. McCann, can open more opportunities for SU and other Christian schools interested to amplify their TVET programs.
Under Utzurrum’s leadership, SU TEVEC continues in its mission to provide various classifications of learners with opportunities to acquire skills, knowledge, and values for employability and lifelong learning in accordance with the opportunities and needs for local and national development.
At present, SU TEVEC as a Training Center offers nine (9) Programs Registration and Accreditation System (UTPRAS) programs. Concurrently, it is an Accredited Assessment Center for three (3) programs, including Animal Production (Poultry-Chicken) NC II, Animal Production (Swine) NC II, and Animal Production (Ruminants) NC II.
But the work, according to Utzurrum, doesn’t stop there.
“SU TEVEC is now working on our mobile training programs where we bring them to the communities instead of them coming to our center. We’re also working on our accreditation and registration as assessment centers for some of our existing programs,” Utuzurrum said.
“We are also planning to register new programs that are demand-driven in the province of Negros Oriental,” she added.