SU and Hannam University finalize terms and responsibilities for a two-year MOA

Hannam University met with Silliman University (SU) on April 22, 2025, to finalize the terms and responsibilities necessary for a two-year memorandum of agreement (MOA) of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Training Program for Youth and Vulnerable Groups in Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental, an Official Development Assistance (ODA) project funded by the Korean government.

Managed by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) through its Manila Office and implemented by the Asia-Pacific International Cooperation Center of Hannam University, the potential project aims to enhance the employability of local youth by providing ICT and big data education tailored to the Philippine business process outsourcing (BPO) industry. It is part of KOICA’s Civil Society Cooperation Program.

SU was selected as the key local partner following a Letter of Intent (LOI) signed in April 2024, which outlined cooperation in establishing educational facilities, providing equipment, developing programs, and managing trainees.

At the heart of the project is establishing a Digital Transformation (DX) Center at SU’s College of Business Administration (CBA). This center will serve as a lecture space equipped with computers and educational resources necessary for delivering ICT training. The DX Center’s inauguration is scheduled for July 29, 2025, marking the formal launch of this collaborative educational initiative aimed at empowering local youth and vulnerable groups.

The project will run for approximately two years, from this year until the end of 2026, with the possibility of two two-year extensions, subject to KOICA’s approval, allowing for a total duration of up to four years. For the education and training activities, high-performance personal computers (PCs) and large smart television (TV) monitors will be provided. Upon completion of the project, all equipment will be donated free of charge to Silliman University to support its ongoing educational initiatives.

Present at the SU Boardroom Annex to discuss the terms and responsibilities of the MOA were Prof. Yoonsik Shin, Asia Pacific Cross-Border Cooperation Center, Hannam University Institute for Industry-Academy Cooperation director; Jeongsei Lee, deputy director; Yoomi Park, researcher; Dr. Wilma Tejero-Libarios, Project coordinator and SU CBA dean; Dr. Betty Cernol McCann, SU president; and Glynnis Jean C. Casiño, Strategic Partnership and Enterprise Development (SPED) officer-in-charge.