Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell Visits Los Banos Chapter

PA3i Los Banos Chapter hosted the visit of Australian Ambassador H.E. Bill Tweddell to Los Banos on 26 April 2012. Key officers present to welcome him were LB Chapter President Prof. Nel Altoveros, Chapter VP Freddy Fajardo, founding chapter president and former UPLB Chancellor Dr. Rey Luis I. Velasco, former PA3i National president Vivian B. Valdez, and founding board member of PA3i National Dr. Norma S. Fajardo, among others.

The chapter presented a short audio-visual presentation (AVP) of its past and most recent activities involving capacity building, environmental advocacy, and community service. Its current project on robotics training for selected highschool teachers and students was proudly showcased to the Ambassador as well. Ambassador Tweddell was pleased with the Chapter's accomplishments and suggested to implement more activities that will strengthen the bond between Australia and the Philippines.

The Chapter presented him tokens of appreciation including a book on ASEAN Heritage Parks and Southeast Asia’s rich biodiversity, courtesy of Rolly Inciong (PA3i Los Baños lifetime member) of the Asian Centre for Biodiversity and two boomerang souvenirs crafted from the marbles of the island Romblon. The Ambassador showed his appreciation by saying "Just like a boomerang, I will return to Los Baños."

 PA3i Participates in Austrade Roundtable Discussion

PA3i had the pleasure to participate in a recent roundtable discussion with Austrade CEO Mr. Peter Yuile on 30 April 2012 at the Purple Feet Restaurant in Makati City. The roundtable discussion was organized by Benjie Garcia of Austrade among key education stakeholders to discuss issues related to Austrade initiatives in enhancing Australia’s competitiveness in education, trends in Philippine education and opportunities for furthering engagements and partnerships between the Philippines and Australia.

Among the participants were Ian Porter (Anzcham), Anthony Weymouth (Austrade), Andrew King (IDP), Tony Esteban (Australian International School), Wadel Cabrera (Philippine Business for Education), Sheila Sta Ines (Australian Migration Specialist), Sharon Goico (International Educ Specialists), John Casey (International School Manila), Mina Magno (PA3i) and Carmel Ulanday (PA3i).

In the discussion, participants gained more insights about internal and external challenges facing each stakeholder as well as trends and opportunities related to advancing both Australian and Philippine education.

Los Banos Chapter Conducts Robotics Training-Workshop

The PA3i Los Banos Chapter recently conducted a one-day training-workshop in robotics among selected high school students and teachers of the University of the Philippines (UP) Rural High School in Bay, Laguna on March 30, 2012. This was followed by a more extensive two-day robotics workshop on April 23-24, 2012 at the Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics, UP Los Banos where participants were given more advanced topics in robotics and computer programming.

The training-workshop, conducted by Prof. Nel Altoveros, PhD, current PA3i Los Banos Chapter President and by Mr. Mark Lester Altoveros, current Chapter PRO, was envisioned to prepare secondary school teachers in teaching technical subjects, as well as to develop awareness about robotics technology among the youth and eventually to inspire them to pursue careers in science, engineering, and technology--all this contributing to the end-goal of enriching our country with globally competitive human resource equipped with computer, robotics, and technical skills.

The workshop consisted of a short lecture about robotics followed by hands-on exercises in programming mobile robots. The participants were then provided with skills to program their mobile robots to perform certain tasks such as moving around a room without bumping on walls and other objects, following a line on the floor to navigate a hallway or maze, and engage another robot in a sumo-wrestling match. 

This workshop is part of a series of training workshops in robotics that was funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). Congratulations to the Los Banos Chapter for a highly relevant and well-implemented project!