DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Dec. 28 (PIA) -- Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution Metro Dumaguete College (MDC) has entered a partnership with ZhenZhou Railway Vocational and Technical College (ZZRVTC) in China for the development of a joint education program for their learners.

This partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the officials of MDC and ZZRVTC held Dec. 16 at the conference room of MDC Campus in Dumaguete City.

MDC was represented by its President Dr. Delma Manila while officials of ZZRVTC signed their copy of the MOU virtually in their office in China.

“The project is all about enhancement in our diploma in software engineering technology. The Chinese school would have additional subjects for our diploma (program): the Chinese Language, introduction to railway engineering, introduction to railway communication. These will not entail additional cost on the part of the college,” Manila said.

She added that students enrolled at the Software Engineering Technology Diploma Program of MDC will have an opportunity to experience an “on-the-job” training in China as part of the exchanges stipulated in the partnership.

This partnership of MDC and ZZRVTC will enable the two learning institutions to develop and implement a joint education program particularly on formulating railway vocational and technical training courses, hold academic conferences and exchange of faculty members, and also carry out China-Philippines Vocational Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs.

Asked why MDC and ZZRVTC chose railway course as the main focus in developing a training programs for learners, Manila said “they reviewed our curriculum and the best suited for their course or more or less similar is the software engineering technology. They relate that to their railway engineering. It’s more of computerization and the control.”

The MDC president also noted some career opportunities in railway operations such as control operations and office work where individuals who are highly skilled in computer operations are needed.

Aside from this, she also cited a demand for workers in railway industry in view of railway developments in the National Capital Region.

For now, 25 incoming first year students under the Software Engineering Technology program will be covered by the said partnership which will begin its implementation in 2023.

Manila said there will be more opportunities for collaboration and development between MDC and ZZRVTC.

On the other hand, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) Negros Oriental fully supports this undertaking.

Provincial Director Joel Villagracia said TESDA’s role is to monitor the implementation and quality of the program.

“Since the program of MDC that is involved in this partnership is within the regulation of TESDA, so in view of our function and our mandate, TESDA would be requiring reports in view of the monitoring and also to ensure that this partnership would be adhered to in view of what competencies are covered,” Villagracia said. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Oriental)