Graduates came from the ladderized courses of engineering

A total of 145 graduates of ladderized courses marched the stage of the Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology (ASIST) Bangued Campus last week.In an interview with Prof. Edgardo Tugadi, executive dean of the ASIST-Bangued Campus, he said the graduates came from the ladderized courses of engineering, recognized and accredited by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

These programs are the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE), and Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering,Biomedical Engineering.Under the BSME, the First Year level graduated from their initial course of Certificate in Junior Mechanical Course. The Second Year graduated in Certificate in Senior Mechanical Course, and the Third Year in Diploma in Mechanical Technology.

The BSCE, on the other hand, has the following programs per year level: the First Year graduated in Certificate in Junior Construction Course, Second Year in Certificate in Senior Construction Building, and the Third Year graduated in Diploma in Building Construction Technology.Under the BSEE, the First Year graduated in Barangay Electrician Course, the Second Year graduated in Certificate in Senior Barangay Electrician, and the Third Year graduated in Diploma Course in Electrical Technology.

In all three programs, fourth year students do not graduate since they are already in the engineering proper.Such a ladderized program in the engineering course is practical as it provides technical capability of the graduates and enables them to land a job that is in demand both in the local and foreign labor markets without necessarily dropping out of school when opportunities for good paying job presents itself.

Meanwhile, Tugadi said, ASIST-Bangued is now in the process of preparing the preliminary survey for accreditation of their courses in Engineering and Bachelor of Industrial Technology (BIT) by the accrediting association of state colleges and universities for upgrading of academic programs.At present, the only program of the ASIST-Bangued that is accredited is the College of Teacher Education which is now Level II. It is currently preparing for Level III accreditation by the Association for the Accreditation of Colleges and Universities in the Philippines.