By Sarah Elizabeth N. Allen, CASS
College of Engineering Dean Professor Edgar Allan Donasco (seated, third from left) represented the Institute during the Annual Steering Committee Meeting of the ASEAN University Network/Southeast Asia Engineering Education Development Network (AUN/SEED-Net) hosted by the National University of Laos in November 2013. (contributed photo)
On November 15, 2013, the National University of Laos hosted the Annual Steering Committee Meeting of the ASEAN University Network/ Southeast Asia Engineering Education Development Network (AUN/SEED-Net). The said meeting funded by Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) was comprised by delegation from the 26 ASEAN member institutions including MSU-IIT.
Dean of the College of Engineering Prof. Edgar Allan Donasco represented the Institute which is likewise the Steering Committee representative of the Philippines attended this meeting.
Highlighting the importance of partnership among the ASEAN University Network/Southeast Asia Engineering Education Development Network (AUN/SEED –Net) through cost sharing and academic collaboration as it anticipates cost reduction support from JICA.
This came about from leaders’ initiatives during the earlier ASEAN-Japan Summit and the ASEAN+3 Summit. Two years later in 2003, the organization became fully operational through the financial support from its host, JICA. Now on its third phase, the AUN/SEED-Net is forging linkages with academic member institutes for the promotion of both science and technology in East Asia.
As the youngest member institute of this committee, MSU-IIT participates as a sending institute for potential students and faculty applicants to train with host institutes among the AUN/SEED Network including some universities in Japan. By far, MSU-IIT has readied five faculty applicants eligible for both training and post graduate scholarship.
In an interview, Prof. Donasco said when asked ‘what’s in this for MSU-IIT?
“There is a lot. Through AUN/SEED-Net we can exploit our advantage by sending faculty members to mentor institutes both for the Ph.D. and Masters degrees. Another advantage would be the promotion of collaborative research projects between member institutes and its hosts; still another could be the privilege of inviting visiting professors to handle lectures on special topics. More importantly, with the UI collaboration and participation of the AUN/SEED Net members, financing potential engineering projects and scholarships in the coming years will be made possible.”
“This partnership with AUN/SEED Net also serves as a stepping stone for the accreditation of MSU-IIT’s baccalaureate degrees for both Chemical Engineering (BS-CHE) and Electronics and Communications Engineering (BS-ECE) in compliance with Washington Accord Accreditation system. “
Topics : ASEAN University Network engineering