11th PSITE National Convention Drew ICT Educators from Across RP

Information and communication technology (ICT) educators from all over the country traveled to the Zanorte Convention Center in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte for the 11^th Philippine Society of IT Educators (PSITE) National Convention last February 26-28, 2009.

Carrying the theme, “Emerging Trends in ICT Education”, the first day of the event was filled with plenary sessions from selected resource persons and presentations from sponsors designed to equip ICT educators nationwide on the latest technology and address the current issues in ICT education.

Among the resource speakers were:

• Ms. Maria Melizza Tan, Head Executive Assistant of the Human Capital Development Group of the Commission on Information and Communication Technology (CICT) who discussed “Information and Communication Technology Directions in the Philippines”.
• Ms. Fe Ferriols, PSITE Vice President – External talked about “Addressing ICT Education Gap through Partnership”.
• Mr. Federico Gonzales, President and CEO of Philippine Emerging Startups Open (PESO), Inc. shared his insights on the topic “Changing the Mindset: Employee to Employer”.

The day was capped with the Hudyaka - Dipolog Medical Center (DMC) Zanorte Dinner and Fireworks presentation held at the DMC College Foundation Open Field.

Representatives from different universities and colleges in the Philippines presented their outstanding studies during the ITE Best Practices held during the second day of the convention. Participating academic institutions include:

Instructions Category

Far Eastern University – East Asia College,
University of San Jose Recoletos, and;
University of the Philippines – Mindanao

Extension and Linkages Category

Ateneo de Davao University
Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas, and
University of Negros Occidental – Recoletos;

Research and Development Category

Cebu Institute of Technology,
Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, and
Ateneo de Naga University

Afterwards, selected delegates from the regional chapters of PSITE gave their annual activity and financial reports followed by the report of PSITE President Jaime D.L. Caro.

A beach-themed JEDI Party Night at the Dakak Park and Beach Resort concluded the second day for the almost 200 attendees of the national convention.

A Commission on Higher Education (CHED-TPITE) public hearing was held before the closing ceremony and distribution of certificate of attendance, which was held at the Dakak Park and Beach Resort.

The 11th PSITE National Convention is sponsored by DMC-College Foundation, Sun Microsystems, Inc., Java Education Development Initiative (JEDI) Project, PLDT, All Visual & Lights Systems, Inc., (AVLS), XCEL Software Solutions Philippines, Inc., Philippine AVANTE International Technologies, Inc., Microsoft, University of the Philippines Information Technology Training Center (UP ITTC), Cisco Systems, Inc., NG KHAI Development Corporation, Anvil Publishing, Inc., Cengage Learning, Teleglobal of Philippines, Inc. (Toph), Computer Assisted Learning, IBM , and Smart Communications, Inc.