INNOTECH eNewsletter

January-February 2017 Issue

JAN-FEB 2017 || page 2

INNOTECH celebrates 47th year

SEAMEO INNOTECH celebrated its 47th year in full colors as staff and partners recognized another successful year with the theme “Color My World,” last 27 January 2017.

The Center sees the contribution of staff members and partners as different colors; each contributing in different ways, but collectively making the world and lives of learners better, brighter, and more colorful. Staff and partners’ efforts were acknowledged through a video highlighting the accomplishment of the Center throughout the year, as well as through a group activity.

Three staff members were specially recognized during the anniversary celebration for their service to the Center. Ms.Salve Molejon, from the International House, and Ms. Evangeline Labagnoy, from the Finance Management Office, were recognized for being with the organization for 20 years, while Mr. Lino Ocampo, from the Administrative Management Office, was given the SEAMEO Service Award for his outstanding work. The SEAMEO Service Award is given every two years by the SEAMEO Council to a staff member of a SEAMEO Unit “who demonstrate exceptionally high level of achievement in work

performance, innovation and creativity, professionalism and commitment that contribute to the success of the Organization’s mission and goals.”

For 47 years, SEAMEO INNOTECH stays true to its vision and mission, providing programs and projects for a better future of every learner in the region and beyond.

JAN-FEB 2017 || page 3

INNOTECH conducts workshop for education in emergencies

INNOTECH, through its Solutions Development Unit, conducted a workshop in Leyte to develop the Guidebook on Alternative Delivery Modes (ADMs) for Education in Emergencies (EiE), 30 January to 4 February 2017. The 6-day workshop aims to develop key sections of the guidebook.

(Related article: ADM for Education in Emergencies project field visits)

The workshop focused on developing key sections on ways of sustaining learning after a calamity, may it be man-made or natural, by implementing ADMs. The participants consist of representative staff from the Department of Education Central Office, Eastern Samar,

Northern Samar, Leyte, Region 8 office, particularly those on ALS (Alternative Learning System), DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction), SPED (Special Education), and CLMD (Curriculum and Learning Management Division), and UNICEF, the project’s partner organization. The participants mainly represent sectors which utilize or implement ADMs such as IMPACT (Instructional Management by Parents, Community and Teachers), MISOSA (Modified In-School Off-School Approach), and OHS (Open High School).

Know more about the said project through its brochure.

JAN-FEB 2017 || page 4

SEAMEO INNOTECH partnered with the University of the East College of Arts and Sciences-Caloocan CAMANAVA Studies for its International Conference on Emerging Discourses and Issues in Sustainable Development (ICEDISD), held 3-5 February at the University of the East Caloocan Campus.

Dr. Ramon C. Bacani, SEAMEO INNOTECH Director, participated as a plenary speaker in the conference. He talked about SEAMEO INNOTECH’s role in the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Center also participated through an exhibit of Center products and services.

The International Conference on Emerging Discourses and Issues in Sustainable Development (ICEDISD) aims to help advance sustainable

INNOTECH co-convenes UE conference

development by providing a venue for the exchange of ideas and findings of research on the emerging discourses and issues in such development. The conference covers topics such as Agricultural Science and Technology, Business and Hospitality Management, Environmental Science and Management, Engineering and Technology, Humanities and Communication, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Social and Behavioral Sciences.

CAMANAVA Studies is a development-oriented forum for scholars, researchers and academicians in the different academic disciplines and allied fields, serves as a venue for the exchange of ideas and promotion of collaborative researches and projects.

JAN-FEB 2017 || page 5

SEAMEO INNOTECH staff and Center Director together with Dr. Julian Abuso (rightmost), Dean of UE Caloocan’s Graduate School, at the Center’s exhibit booth during the conference

JAN-FEB 2017 || page 6

SEAMEO INNOTECH facilitates study visit for Bangladeshi officials

The Skills Employment Investment Program (SEIP) officials under the Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh engaged the service of SEAMEO INNOTECH to facilitate a study visit in the Philippines, 15-17 February 2017. This study visit aims to provide better understanding of the Philippines’ technical and vocational education programs.

In the past four decades, Bangladesh has experienced a rapid increase of young population and labor force participation. However, this population is said to have inadequate skills. The country had identified ‘skills development’ as one of the strategies to address this situation. This leads to the issuance of the National Skill Development Policy (NSDP) where SEIP is one of its major programs. To further improve the said program, the officials of SEIP find the need to benchmark from neighboring countries -- one of which is the Philippines.

Throughout this 3-day visit, the nine (9) SEIP officials were introduced to the Philippines’ Technical Education Skills Development Authority

(TESDA) -- the government agency tasked to manage and supervise technical education and skills development. They were introduced to TESDA’s mandate and direction, as well as to its program innovations on competency-based skills development, assessment, and certification. This has helped the officials identify the best practices in building partnerships with the business and industry sector, as well as in addressing the job-skill mismatch. Aside from TESDA’s programs, the officials were also oriented on the Senior High School program of the Department of Education.

The study visit ends with a tour to the Don Bosco Technical Institute, a private Catholic educational institution accredited by TESDA that offers technical and vocational education and training program. They were able to observe its TVET programs and facilities, as well as interact with the school officials.

The Skills Employment Investment Program (SEIP) of Bangladesh is co-funded by the Asian Development Bank and the Swiss Agency for Development

and Cooperation. This supports the high growth priority sector of the country. SEIP also establish partnerships with training authorities of various countries.

JAN-FEB 2017 || page 7

Alliance-building for Youth Development in Areas of ConflictSEAMEO INNOTECH, USAID, and EDC teamed up for a one-day learning seminar last 23 February 2017 on Alliance-building for Youth Development in Areas of Conflict. As part of the Mindanao Youth for Development (MYDev) Program, the event offered a unique platform for members of its Out of School Youth Development Alliances (OSYDAs) to share and discuss good practices including innovative initiatives to support positive youth development.

“I am happy that I was able to represent the OSYs...I became the voice of the youth in our community and I was able to empower other OSYs.” Princess Jamellah Baulo, Youth Leader of Parang, Maguindanao, said in a panel sharing session.

The one-day program consisted of two panel sharing sessions where members of the OSYDA shared their experiences in support of the OSYs’ development. Participants also had the chance to share their insights and learning with each other through group discussions.

The first panel sharing, led by Dr. Miriam Pahm, Deputy Chief of Party of the MYDev Program, tackled the alliance members’

experiences as drivers of OSY development. Panel consisted of Mayor Ibrahim Ibay, Mayor of Parang, Maguindanao; Dr. Pedro Melchor Natividad, Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Education Region IX; Ms. Nida Dans, CEO of Mothers for Peace Social Enterprises, Inc.; Ms. Princess Jamellah Baulo, Youth Leader of Parang, Maguindanao; and Mr. Alvasam Ahadain, Youth Leader of Jolo, Sulu. The panelists highlighted the importance of each sector’s representation in the alliance. They also emphasized that political will and enabling policies are essential to get things going and sustained.

The second panel sharing discussed the private sector’s engagement to support the OSY development. The panel composed of Ms. Bai Sandra Siang, President of the Cotabato City Muslim Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Christian Olasiman, City Government Representative of Zamboanga City; Mr. Alsharif Saiden, Store Manager of Centro Department Store in Cotabato City; Mr. Jonald Macrohon, owner of Chowtime Cuisine in Zamboanga City; Ms. Annie Rose Remoto, Youth Leader of Zamboanga City; and Mr. Alvin Quinn Lu, Youth Leader of Cotabato City. The discussion was led by Dr. Maria Theresa Mokamad and Mr. Robinson Wee, Youth Development

Specialists of the MYDev Program. They highlighted the private sector’s support in making this program sustainable. With the active engagement of the private sector, the OSYs had better chances of getting employed.

Also, through the one-day event, Ms. Nancy Wallace, Chief of Party of the MYDev Program, presented the accomplishments of the program throughout its four-year implementation. According to Ms. Wallace, 93% of the target has already been achieved; more than half of the OSYs in MYDev sites have better perception of the government as well as improved life skills, work readiness, and leadership. More details on the MYDev accomplishment on their website.

The Mindanao Youth for Development (MYDev) is a five-year USAID program in the Philippines that addresses key constraints to peace and stability in selected conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. The Out-of-School Youth Development Alliances (OSYDA) is the key local group that helps shape MYDev programming.

JAN-FEB 2017 || page 8

Lao PDR, SEAMEO INNOTECH, and GIZ sign MOU for Fit for School

SEAMEO INNOTECH and Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) sealed its partnership with the Ministry of Education of Lao PDR, 24 February 2017 in Vientiane, for the second phase of the Fit for School program in the country.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by Dr. Mithong Souvanvixay, Director General of the Department of Pre-School and Primary Education (DPPE) of the Ministry of Education and Sports, Ms. Nicole Siegmund, Principal Advisor of the Regional Fit for School Program of GIZ, and Dr. Ramon C. Bacani, Director of SEAMEO INNOTECH.

The Regional Fit for School Program has been implemented in Lao PDR since 2011, starting with 22 public primary schools in the Vientiane Capital. Now, this has increased to over 400 schools nationwide, benefitting over 42,000 children in the country. The program’s model schools have been established in all provinces of Lao PDR and serve as

good practice examples for other primary schools in their district and province.

With the MOU signed, Fit for School’s implementation in the country will continue until November 2018. The second phase of the joint program now focuses on supporting the establishment of a water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in schools.

The Fit for School program, jointly conducted by GIZ and SEAMEO INNOTECH, originated in the Philippines and is currently being implemented in Cambodia, Indonesia, and Lao PDR. The program aims to support the Ministries of Education in their efforts to develop schools as healthy and enabling learning environments for children.

Know more about the Fit for School Program at www.fitforschool.international.

(Related article: School hygiene programme expands nationwide, Vientiane Times)

JAN-FEB 2017 || page 9

SEAMEO INNOTECH and AiTECH sign MOU

On 28 February, SEAMEO INNOTECH and the Antipolo Institute of Technology (AiTECH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration in sharing solutions, knowledge and services between the institutions. On the part of SEAMEO INNOTECH, it is the first MOU established with a Local Government Unit.

The MOU was signed by Hon. Ronald R. Barcena,

City Councilor District 1, Antipolo City; Dr. Ramon C. Bacani, Center Director, SEAMEO INNOTECH; and Dr. Erlinda C. Pefianco, President, AiTECH. Also present as witnesses in the MOU signing were Mr. Benito Benoza, Knowledge Management and Networking Office Manager, and Ms. Carolyn Rodriguez, Quality and Systems Management Office Manager, of SEAMEO INNOTECH; Ms. Rowena Zapanta, of the City Planning and Development Office-City of Antipolo; Atty. Marivic Furuelo, Acting AiTECH Board Sectary; and Atty. Eduardo Torres of AiTECH.

Dr. Ramon C. Bacani expressed hopes for an even more vibrant cooperation between INNOTECH and AiTECH, having noted that cooperative activities have been initiated ahead of signing a formal document.

Dr. Erlinda C. Pefianco, former SEAMEO INNOTECH Center Director and the current President of AiTECH, pointed out that significant actions and

development initiatives happen at the local level, thus making a case for down-up planning as advocated by the Center.

Antipolo City Councilor, Hon. Ronald Barcena, underlined that in the local government setting, networking and adopting an open door policy are key to developing productive partnerships and alliances. AiTECH’s primary mission is to contribute to nation-building by developing a new breed of professionals who are able to blend knowledge, skills, attitudes and values for construction engineering.

The emerging partnership is in line with the INNOTECH vision of ensuring a better life for every learner in Southeast Asia and beyond.

JAN-FEB 2017 || page 10

RESEARCH IN FOCUS

Project SMaLL: Taking Stock of Small Schools’ Big Tasks

Many Southeast Asian countries face challenges in meeting their shared goal of providing all school-age children with access to education especially in poorer communities, remote rural areas and indigenous communities, where many schools are small, under-enrolled, and under-resourced. Small schools, or one-teacher schools, represent a significant portion of the educational landscape in the region.

This publication looks at the unique condition of small schools and offers lessons learned from the implementation of Project SMaLL. It also provides a preview of other evidence-based studies and interventions that the Center has worked on through the years and is continuously working on to improve access to quality

education in communities where education for all is not within immediate reach.

Summary

Full Research Report

JAN-FEB 2017 || page 11

Let’s keep in touch!Follow us on various social media sites to get the latest updates

SEAMEO Regional Center for Educational Innovation and TechnologyCommonwealth Ave., Diliman, Quezon City 1101 Philippines

+632 9247681 to 84 | http://www.seameo-innotech.org