JBLCF and Microsoft Philippines: Setting the trend through IT Academy
Sam Jacoba II of Microsoft Philippines
explains their new program called
“Partners in Learning” before officially
launching the JBLCF Microsoft
IT Academy.
Photo by A.Chris Fernandez
John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation (JBLCF), the multi-awarded and nationally-acclaimed maritime institution in the country, has something to add to their A+ resume. JBLCF has proven its prowess in providing quality education being the first accredited and ISO-certified higher education institution . JBLCF has been included in the Hall of Fame of the Consumer Union in the Philippines and having achieved the highest academic status as an autonomous higher education institution in the Philippines as cited by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). Likewise, JBLCF was given a distinction in the latest Philippine Quality Award (PQA).
This year, JBLCF takes pride in establishing the Microsoft IT Academy in Western Visayas. In relation to that, the Business Development Manager of Microsoft Philippines was present in the recently held JBLCF IT Academy launching held at the Cruise Ship Management Building of the institution last Tuesday. The said launching was JBLCF's contribution to the first ever IT Week Celebration in Iloilo which started last Tuesday and will end on the 16th of this month.
The IT Academy will make use of all Microsoft softwares for training of university and college faculty. The softwares will be provided by Microsoft Philippines. JBLCF has 17 JBLCF faculty members who are Microsoft Certified Professionals. They will be teaching various computer and IT courses.
The JBLCF Microsoft IT Academy will boost the technological potentials of the Ilonggos. Equipped with a world-class knowledge that they'll soon gain from the prestigious IT Academy, Ilonggos can now compete globally.
The Academy will offer internationally-recognized standards in terms of curriculum as required by the businesses and the industries all over the globe.
The said luncheon and press conference was attended by famous personalities in the city. Among those were: Butch Peñalosa, who came in behalf of Mayor Jerry Treñas; Nielex Tupas, son of Governor Niel Tupas; officials from the City and Province of Iloilo; DTI-Iloilo Director Diosdado Cadena; representatives from the academe, business and industry leaders; officials from JBLCF and ECHO Communication and Development, a call center provider that is supported by JBLCF.
Dr. Mary Lou L. Arcelo, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of JBLCF Inc., welcomed the guests. On the other hand, Mr. Sam Jacoba II of Microsoft Philippines discussed their new program called "Partners in Learning" before he officially launched the JBLCF Microsoft IT Academy. The newly-appointed UPV Chancellor and the Chair of the Steering Committee of the First Iloilo It Week and Iloilo Foundation for IT (IFIT), Dr. Glenn Aguilar delivered a message citing the capabilities of the Filipinos to compete with other races in terms of creativity and technological knowledge. Commissioner Dondi Mapa of the National Commission for ICT, who said that Iloilo has a potential with regard to IT, came to grace the occasion. As a response, JBLCF expressed their gratitude and sentiments through the JBLCF-Arevalo Administrator Dr. Ralph Pador and JBLCF-Molo Administrator Atty. Lorna D. Gellada.
JBLCF is one of the founding members of the Iloilo Foundation for IT or IFIT.
Later that afternoon, the members of the print and broadcast media as well as representatives from other schools were given an opportunity to interact with the JBLCF and Microsoft officials.
The event culminated with a message from Mr. Ronald Raymond L. Sebastian , Vice Chairman of the JBLCF System and President of ECHO Communications & Development Corporation. Dr. Adriano A. Arcelo, Chairman of the JBLCF System Academic Council and Director of the JBLCF System Research Development Center, acted as the Master of Ceremony.
"The vision is that someday you'll have a Bill Gates coming from your university," says Mr. Jacoba.
Aside from giving the soon-to-be IT professionals an excellent foundation for the future, JBLCF's affiliation with Microsoft Philippines will also pave way for other institutions to adopt the latest Microsoft programs that will empower the young members of the society. Thus, promoting technological growth in the city.