MMSU offers new graduate program on renewable energy engineering

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

BATAC CITY—Responding to the needs for more professionals in the field of renewable energy sector, the state-run Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) launched another specialized course program to advance professional training and managerial capability building of engineers and other concerned stakeholders here.

Dr. Prima Fe Franco, MMSU acting president said the Professional Science Master’s in Renewable Energy Engineering is a pioneering two-year program of MMSU in partnership with the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) and the Science, Technology, Research and Innovation for Development (STRIDE) project funded under the United States Agency for International Development.

Being the first in the country and Southeast Asia to offer such program, Ms. Franco said this would open a lot of opportunities for Ilocanos who may want to pursue this course, which is more of a hands-on training with partners from the renewable energy industry.

Ms. Franco said finishers of the new curriculum on renewable energy engineering will be guaranteed of adequate employment as this is the current demand of the energy sector.

“Just like the fees we collect from the graduate school, the new program offers a highly competitive tuition fee and miscellaneous expenses. This course however will be more of a hands-on experience with the industry and few lectures,” Franco said.

As Ilocos Norte is the capital of various renewable energy plants such as windmills, solar and hydroelectric power, the program aims to further promote the province as the center of development, providing equal opportunities to its people by harnessing the maximum potential of its human capital for sustainable development and inclusive growth.

Highlighting the launching ceremony is the signing of a memorandum of understanding with Research Triangle Institute and the EDC held at the Teatro Ilocandia, Batac City.

Present during the launch were Dr. Susan Brems, USAID Mission Director for the Philippines, Pacific Islands, and Mongolia; Dr. Lawrence Ilag, STRIDE Program deputy chief of party; Dr. Fiorello Abenes, STRIDE faculty and institutional development manager; and representatives of the EDC, local government units’ officials and the office of Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri as represented by his chief of staff, Dave Torres.

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