ISUFST set to host Korean, Iloilo Rotarian delegates for P2-M Global Grant inspection

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In anticipation of a major partnership initiative, the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) will welcome delegates from the Rotary Club of Namweon Central, South Korea, and the Rotary Club of Iloilo (RCI) on October 2, 2024.

The delegates’ visit is aimed at conducting an ocular inspection of the College of Industrial Technology’s (CIT) automotive laboratory as part of the P2-million Rotary Global Grant proposal entitled “Automotive Industry Modernization in Iloilo (AIM Iloilo).”

The project is a collaboration between ISUFST and the Rotary Clubs of Iloilo District 3850 and Namweon Central District 3620. It aims to modernize ISUFST’s automotive laboratory by upgrading tools, equipment, and instructional resources, with a focus on building local economic capacity through improved education.

Preparations for the upcoming visit took place this Wednesday, September 18, 2024, during the Rotary Club of Iloilo’s regular dinner meeting at Hotel del Rio.

Key ISUFST personnel were in attendance, including Dr. Rodel Dosano, Dean of the College of Industrial Technology (CIT), Instr. Arnel Quiro, Automotive Laboratory In-charge, and Mr. Jhomar Baladhay, CIT Secretary.

Dr. Herman Lagon, Rotary Grant Leader and ISUFST Director of PAMMCO, led the discussions as AIM Iloilo Project Head.

The group represented ISUFST President, Dr. Nordy Siason, Jr., a member of the Rotary Club of Iloilo, who was attending the budget hearing in Congress in Manila.

This proposed project stems from the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed between ISUFST, Rotary International District 3850, and the Rotary Club of Iloilo—District 3850’s mother club—back in February of last year.

The concept for the AIM Iloilo project was developed by Dr. Lagon, in partnership with Dr. Irvin Haro, former CIT Dean and now OJT Coordinator, and presented to the Rotarians on July 12, 2023.

With the strong backing of Past District Governor John Michael “Kano” Ng, Rotary Club of Iloilo Past President Engr. Jesus Anayas, and other Rotary members, the project gained momentum and is now under the leadership of current RCI President, Atty. Peter John Raymund Pacheco.

Though the project is still in its proposal-ocular inspection stage, both ISUFST and the local Rotary Club officials are optimistic that their visiting Korean counterparts will commit to the endeavor, which is a critical step in securing the Rotary Global Grant necessary for its implementation.

“This project perfectly aligns with ISUFST’s mission of empowering students and communities through modernized technical education,” said Dr. Nordy Siason, ISUFST President. “As a proud member of Rotary, I am deeply committed to Rotary’s tenets of service above self and the pursuit of sustainable development. The AIM Iloilo Project is a significant step towards creating lasting positive change in our community.”

The AIM Iloilo Project has several key goals. It includes, among others, the modernization of CIT Facilities, partnerships for equipment procurement, capacity building, and community outreach. The project is expected to have long-term benefits, including improved quality of education, enhanced job competitiveness, and economic growth in underserved communities. It is designed to impact ISUFST’s automotive instructors and students in its first phase, with the potential to benefit hundreds more, including nearby communities, in the years to come.

This modernization effort comes at a crucial time for ISUFST’s CIT, which currently faces challenges in its resources and facilities. The project will address these issues by providing state-of-the-art equipment, including car lifters, welding machines, and modern gasoline and diesel engines for hands-on training.

The ocular inspection on October 2 will provide a vital step in securing the Global Grant, with the aim of formally launching the project in the coming months. The visit marks a significant milestone in ISUFST’s efforts to foster global partnerships and improve the technical-vocational education landscape in Iloilo. (PAMMCO)