ADDU Retains Status as Center of Development in IT Education

The Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU), through the Computer Studies Division, retained its status as Center of Development for Information Technology Education for a period of three years, from 2007 to 2010. Mr. Edwin V. Marañon, Chair of the Computer Studies Division, received the plaque of recognition last March 23, 2007 during the awarding ceremonies organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) held at Bayview Park Hotel, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.

The Centers of Excellence (COE) and Centers of Development (COD) project of CHED is envisioned to be an efficient approach in developing program offerings of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through the leadership of select COEs and CODs. CHED support for HEIs is granted strategically to a select number of institutions that has consistently performed well in instruction, research and extension. The project encourages HEIs to continuously strive for quality education. In doing so, HEIs that have exhibited excellent potentials are assisted by CHED in maintaining and further enhancing their competitiveness.

In return, the COEs and CODs are tasked to take the role of upgrading other HEIs in their areas of responsibilities through the following:

(1) offering and development of graduate degree programs and other faculty development activities such as short-term training programs and discussions in emerging trends in the field;
(2) conduct of research activities in certain areas of specialization;
(3) implementation of training projects for communities within its service areas;
(4) development of instructional materials appropriate to the local situation;
(5) active participation and leadership in industry-academe linkage activities;
(6) sharing of institutional resources to other HEIs.

The first batch of CODs in the field of Information Technology was identified in 2000, of which ADDU was one of them. CHED and the Technical Panel for IT Education (TPITE) at that time decided not to identity COEs since the field of Information Technology was still relatively new compared to other programs. A total of twenty-four (24) institutions were identified as CODs and they were given funding to further enhance their potentials specifically in the areas of faculty development, facilities improvement and equipment purchases, books acquisitions, research capability building, and linkage and extension services. The first batch of CODs was able to accomplish modest gains and made considerable progress in maintaining the quality of their programs and extending their support to other HEIs in their regions.

The current second batch has nine (9) COEs and thirty-one (31) CODs. Most of the COEs were elevated from the first batch of CODs. Others retained their COD status and only two (2) were not able to meet the criteria either as COE or COD. There are eighteen (18) new schools in the roster. That goes to show how the atmosphere of friendly competition and healthy cooperation can lead to a unified advancement of academic programs in the regions. The nine (9) COEs are the following institutions, namely:

(1) Angeles University Foundation (Region 3);
(2) Asia Pacific College (National Capital Region (NCR));
(3) Ateneo de Manila University (NCR);
(4) Cebu Institute of Technology (Region 7)
(5) De La Salle University (NCR);
(6) University of the Cordilleras (CAR);
(7) University of the Philippines – Cebu (Region 7);
(8) University of the Philippines – Diliman (NCR);
(9) University of the Philippines – Los Baños (Region 4A).

The thirty-one (31) CODs are the following institutions, namely:

(1) Colegio de Dagupan (Region 1);
(2) Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (Region 1);
(3) Lorma College (Region 1);
(4) St. Mary’s University (Region 2);
(5) St. Paul University – Tuguegarao (Region 2);
(6) University of La Sallete (Region 2);
(7) Holy Angel University (Region 3);
(8) Systems Plus College Foundation (Region 3);
(9) De La Salle University – Dasmariñas (Region 4A);
(10) Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (Region 4A);
(11) Ateneo de Nagao University (Region 5);
(12) University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos (Region 6);
(13) Silliman University (Region 7);
(14) University of San Jose – Recoletos (Region 7);
(15) Asian Development Foundation College (Region 8);
(16) Ateneo de Zamboanga University (Region 9);
(17) Dipolog Medical Center College Foundation, Inc. (Region 9);
(18) St. Vincent’s College (Region 9);
(19) Capitol University (Region 10);
(20) Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (Region 10);
(21) Ateneo de Davao University (Region 11);
(22) University of Mindanao (Region 11);
(23) University of the Immaculate Conception (Region 11);
(24) University of the Philippines – Mindanao (Region 11);
(25) Notre Dame of Marbel University (Region 12);
(26) St. Louis University (CAR);
(27) Far Eastern University – East Asia College (NCR);
(28) Mapua Institute of Technology (NCR);
(29) Technological Institute of the Philippines – Manila (NCR);
(30) Technological Institute of the Philippines – Quezon City (NCR);
(31) University of the East (NCR).

It is worthy to note that next to the National Capital Region (which has four (4) COEs and five (5) CODs) and Region 7 (which has two (2) COEs and two (2) CODs), Region XI has four (4) CODs. This is a strong indication of the improvement of quality IT Education in Region XI with the entry of University of Mindanao, University of the Immaculate Conception, and University of the Philippines – Mindanao in the elite circle. Ateneo de Davao University was the lone COD in Region XI for the first batch way back 2000. This is also a big step towards the shared vision of the Philippine Society of IT Educators-Region XI (PSITE-XI) and the Council of Deans for IT Education in Region XI (CDITE-XI) to make Davao as the IT Education capital of Mindanao. Things seem to be falling into the right places. It will only be a matter of time that Davao will be the destination of choice for quality IT Education and a rich source of competent IT professionals. The next big step is to strive to have COEs and more CODs in Region XI to establish this coveted reputation. The Computer Studies Division of ADDU intends to remain in the forefront of this strategic direction among IT schools in the region.

Note: This post was also submitted for publishing in the second issue of the Ateneo Chronicle expected to be out for circulation by mid-June 2007.