SU and Hannam University to collaborate for IT-related feasibility study

Left to right: Dr. Warlito S. Caturay Jr., Silliman University (SU) Office of Media and Public Affairs director; Glynnis Jean C. Casiño, SU Office of Strategic Partnerships officer-in-charge (OIC); Dr. Wilma M. Tejero, SU College of Business Administration (CBA) dean; Atty. Ebenezer Y. Lim, SU vice president for Finance and Operations (VPFO); Dr. Taeyong Yoon, Hannam University (HNU) Daejeon International Development Cooperation Center director; Dr. Earl Jude Paul L. Cleope, SU vice president for Academic Affairs (VPAA); Dr. Hee Seok Song, HNU College of Business and Economics dean; Dr. Betty Cernol McCann. SU president; Dr. Daniel Shin, Asia Pacific Cross-Border Cooperation Center director and HNU MIS department chairperson; Dr. Jae Kyung Kim, HNU MIS; Dr. Heetae Yang, HNU; Dr. Dave E. Marcial, SU Global Studies Center (GSC) director; Asst. Prof. Joy M. Dy, SU College of Computer Studies (CCS) dean; and Dr. Jongsei Lee, HNU, pose after the meeting.

To address the rising demand of Information Technology (IT)-related programs not only within the university and the city but also in the province of Negros Oriental, Silliman University (SU) and Hannam University discussed the feasibility of a Digital Transformation (DX) Center installation that will tackle IT education and employment demands during the meeting of both universities today, at the Third Floor of Ruiz Administration Hall on April 18, 2024.

The feasibility study is titled, “A Field Study on the IT Industry and Employment Landscape, and IT Education Environment for Big Data/IT Workforce Training in the City of Dumaguete, Philippines.” It was presented by Dr. Jae Kyung Kim from Hannam’s Department of Management Information Systems (MIS).

Dr. Jae Kyung Kim (right) from HNU Department of Management Information Systems (MIS) presents briefly the proposed feasible study to be conducted by HNU. Dr. Heetae Yong (left) watches closely.

The study aims to analyze the potential for establishing a DX Center and other related training programs within SU by (a) identifying the demand for employment in Big Data analysis in the Philippines, (b) identifying SU’s status of academic capabilities on Big Data analysis, and (c) assessing the unmet-need for Big Data education among SU students and local youth in Dumaguete.

If the project pushes through, Hannam University believes that students and faculty members alike will reap significant benefits from the installation of the DX Center. Local youth will have an edge in the market when seeking employment and entrepreneurship in the emerging ICT field such as big data. For teachers and trainers, this will bolster ICT/big data education expertise.

To be funded by the Public-Private Partnerships Academy Partner Incubating Program through the Korea International Cooperation Agency’s (KOICA) Official Development Assistance (ODA) and spearheaded by Hannam University, this undertaking is projected to start this year, if approved, and will be completed in 2028, with its impact foreseen among local youth through economic empowerment in the field.

Along with Dr. Kim, Dr. Heetae Yang, Dr. Hee Seok Song, Dr. Taeyong Yoon, Dr. Yeunsek Shin, and Dr. Jongsei Lee were also present at the meeting.

SU President Dr. Betty Cernol McCann welcomed all six (6) faculty/professors from Hannam University, along with Dr. Earl Jude Paul L. Cleope, vice president for Academic Affairs (VPAA); Atty. Ebenezer Y. Lim, vice president for Finance and Operations (VPFO); Dr. Wilma M. Tejero, College of Business Administration (CBA) dean; Asst. Prof. Joy M. Dy, College of Computer Studies (CCS) dean; Dr. Dave E. Marcial, Global Studies Center (GSC) director; Dr. Warlito S. Caturay Jr., Office of Media and Public Affairs director; and Glynnis Jean C. Casiño, Office of Strategic Partnerships officer-in-charge (OIC).

Dr. Betty Cernol McCann (center-right) discusses very briefly SU’s new organizational structure to the team at HNU.

SU and Hannam University go a long way, first in 2001 when students came to the campus for the SU Language Learning Center’s Intensive English Program (IntEP), which was followed again in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

In 2016, Dr. Tejero, now CBA’s dean, was invited as a visiting professor at Hannam’s Linton School of Global Business (LSGB). In 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and most recently 2023, SU, through the CBA, hosted Hannam students for the Hannam-Silliman Global Business Program.