3rd CREATE Congress held, SJIT won 2nd CREATE Challenge

Over 400 engineering, architecture and information technology educators, students, and inventors from the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Caraga Region gathered at the Almont Hotel and Inland Resort, Butuan City on July 31 – August 1, 2009 to attend the 3rd Congress of the Caraga Region Engineering, Architecture and Technology Educators (CREATE). In coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and the support of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Intellectual Property Office Philippines (IP Phils), and Indiana University- Purdue University in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA, CREATE organized this two-day event with the theme, “The Role of Technological Education in Economic Development.”

The Logo Exhibit Viewing where spectators were given chance to view the projects of the students and the products of the event’s sponsors, all displayed in the Exhibit Area near the entrance of the Convention Hall. As the participants were all in, the program formally opened through entrance of colors, doxology, and singing of the National Anthem successively performed by selected students of Saint Joseph Institute of Technology (SJIT). Subsequently, Engr. Ramil A. Sanchez, the Supervising Education Program Specialist of CHED Caraga, acknowledged the participants of the Congress. Then, Dr. Levita B. Grana, CREATE President and Dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture in SJIT, explained the rationale and declared the opening of the CREATE Congress. The OIC of the Office of the Regional Director in CHED Caraga, Dr. Virginia D. Akiate, gave her welcome message, afterwards. Dir. Lyndo Villacorta of DOST delivered a message on the role of technology in development.

After the opening program was the keynote speech of Hon. Adrian S. Cristobal Jr., the Director General of Intellectual Property. Then, a series of plenary sessions followed with competent resource speakers from the country and even abroad. The topics discussed and the resource speakers were as follows:

“Intellectual Property”
Ms. Leny B. Raz
OIC, Office of the Deputy Director General Head – IP

“Quality Assurance Practices of Engineering and Technology Education in the US”
Dr. Reynaldo M. Pablo
Assistant Professor, College of Engineering Technology and Computer Science
Indiana University – Purdue University, Fort Wayne, USA

“Technology Innovation and Commercialization”
Engr. Noel M. Ajoc
Provincial Science and Technology Directory, Agusan del Norte

“Opportunities and Challenges of the Filipino Inventor”
Engr. Roderico B. Cane
Inventor / Engineer, 1st Prize Winner Mindanao Inventors’ Summit


Dr. Reynaldo M. Pablo, who spoke about the Quality Assurance Practices of Engineering and Technology Education in the US, was the one who captured much the attention of the audience as he incorporated humor in his topic discussed. In his talk, he explained that an engineer (male) like him must have 5 L’s in life in order to succeed: law, logic, language, luck, and lady.

One event that also highlighted the Congress was the Quiz Show participated by 21 teams (three teams per participating school). From 21 teams, 5 went through the second after the first and elimination round with ten questions. In the end, a team from SJIT composed of Rey Francis Agan (ECE), Junrey Morales (CE), and JP Ernie Estimos (Architecture), emerged champion followed by a team from Surigao State College of Technology (SSCT) composed of Rito D. Ilagan, Bensaurdo C. Eleguir, Jr. and Varry A. Morial and Northern Mindanao State Institute of Science and Technology (NORMISIST)composed of Christian S. Baguio, Jason C. Plaza and Hannah Rose Kamille V. Manigo, respectively as the 1st and 2nd runners-up. Each of the winning teams received cash prize, trophy, and certificate of recognition.

The first day of the Congress ended with evening socials showcasing the presentations from some of the participating HEIs, including SJIT, Surigao Education Center (SEC), and FSUU. Of all the presentations, that of the FSUU was the most funny and entertaining.

During the second and final day of the Congress, the participants were the CREATE members, inventors, and representatives from different sectors and offices of the government. In the morning, they attended the Intellectual Property Council Organizational Meeting and Planning Workshop, and in the afternoon, there was a Technical Tour for Faculty at PSPI, JAKA, and EMCO.

With the stomachs filled with delicious and nutritious foods and the topics successfully injected to the minds of the spectators, the 3rd CREATE Congress brought a total fun and learning to all.


by:

Joe Randy B. Tabungao
ECE V, SJIT