07/25/2009 [ tribune.net.ph ]
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Emmanuel Angeles yesterday disclosed plans for the construction of a P5-billion Philippine Center for Engineering, Science and Technology (PCEST) inside the Clark Freeport Zone geared to make the country’s tertiary education competitive in the global scene.
Angeles told a news conference he was also in the process of seeking a P30-billion additional annual budget for CHED’s campaign to intensify development in the higher education sector.
He said the construction of the PCEST would give Filipino scientists and engineers a chance to practice their expertise in the country, citing the recent United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report showing that the Philippines was lagging behind in terms of the number of scientists in the population.
"With the establishment of the PCEST, we will bring back those scientists and engineers who are working abroad," Angeles said.
To date, there are only 125 scientists and engineers per million who are engaged in research and development in the country. The UNESCO average for developing countries is 380 per million.
"We need 255 scientists and engineers or 204 percent more to be at par with the UNESCO metrics," Angeles said.
Angeles said the University Town will be located in a 1,000-hectare lot in Clark Freeport Zone, adding that the PCEST will model after Vietnam’s education center which was officially opened last year.
Asked where he would get the budget for the construction of the university town, Angeles answered he had already acquired the support of the House of Representatives for the release of P5.08-billion funding, adding that they would start the bidding and construction process as early as 2010.
"I have made some talks with key officials and they have expressed full support for the project. If they are not going to give it me, then I will find alternative source of the funds for its construction," he said.
For the past 15 years, CHED was operating with a measly P1.5 billion annual budget.
As for the P30-billion additional budget he was seeking to help in the development of the country’s higher education system, Angeles said a large bulk of the P30 billion will go to the improvement in the facilities of some 146 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and 44 private higher education institutions.
"At no time in history has it been more important to invest in higher education as major force in building an inclusive and diverse knowledge society and to advance research, innovation, and creativity," he said. PNA
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