MinDA, TESDA and JCI at the SM City Davao University Fair- DAVAO LIFE

Last July 9 to 11, forums on topics related to education and career planning were conducted at SM City Davao’s University Fair at the mall’s Event Center.

Opening the University Fair last July 9 were (L-R): JCI Davao president Louel Zambrano (5^th from the left), Malaysian Consul General Abdullah Zawawi Tahir, Counc. Mabel Sunga-Acosta, SM City Davao mall manager Lynette Lopez, DOLE XI regional director Atty. Joffrey Suyao and SM assistant vice president for operations-Mindanao Debby Go.

Mr Romeo Montenegro of Mindanao Development Authority

On the first day, Mindanao Development Authority’s director of investment promotions and public affairs Romeo M. Montenegro gave a talk on ASEAN integration where he discussed how it can affect the local economy. He said that the forthcoming integration poses a wide range of opportunities for all ASEAN member countries including its workforce.

Private and government agencies presented their scholarship programs on the second day. SM Foundation, Inc. which has been running the college scholarship program since 1993 has produced over 1,900 graduates and currently supports 1,500 scholars in 82 partner colleges and universities, nationwide. The Davao City Water District who started their scholarship program in the same year has also supported underprivileged but deserving students with its academic and non-academic programs.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) offers “Education for Development Scholarship Program (EDSP)” for qualified beneficiaries/dependents of OFWs. It is available to those beneficiaries who intend to enroll in any four to five-year baccalaureate course, in any university across the country and any Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA)-accredited institution or in privately-owned tertiary or vocational institutions.

The Davao Light and Power Company meanwhile, offers purposive scholarships to engineering students who are in their sophomore year. The recipients of the program will also get the chance to work in DLPC or their affiliate companies.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) also presented their online courses which interested parties may avail for free. After completing the online course modules, participants may opt to take face-to-face assessment for National Certification at any TESDA accredited assessment center or venue. Members of the Junior Chamber Inc. at the UFair with guest speaker Rusty Quintana, a former street child who graduated from Xavier University. On the last day, the Junior Chamber International Davao conducted a career forum aimed at giving future college students a glimpse of their possible professions. Among their speakers were Cong. Karlo Nograles and Councilor Bernie Al-ag. Congressman Karlo Nograles at the JCI Career Forum

The University Fair was started in 2013. This year’s fair was participated in by Ateneo de Zamboanga and Ateneo de Cagayan de Oro (Xavier University), International Academy for Film and Television (Bigfoot) from Cebu, Dumaguete’s Silliman University, Manila’s National University, De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, Mapua College of Technology, University of Santo Tomas and SoFA Design Institute.

Davao-based schools also joined the event to showcase their programs—Ateneo de Davao University, Davao Doctor’s College, Fashion Institute of Design and Arts, Institute of International Culinary and Hospitality Entrepreneurship, Joji Ilagan Career Center Foundation, MOST Institute of Davao, Philippine Women’s College, University of Mindanao and University of the Philippines in Mindanao. Honorable Consul Tomoko Dodo at SM City Davao University Fair. The Japanese Consular Office facilitates a number of scholarships programs which give Filipino youth opportunities to study in Japan.