At the first roundtable consultation and discussion on “Relevant and Progressive Entrepreneurship Education in the Tertiary Level” organized by the Entrepreneurship Educators Association of the Philippines (ENEDA) last August 5 at the Miriam College, SERDEF reiterated its continuing commitment to building an enterprising society in the Philippines through entrepreneurship education.
The roundtable gathered policy makers, educators, students and other stakeholders to plan for new directions in entrepreneurship education at the tertiary level. It sought to identify roles of various partners in improving entrepreneurship curriculum, course management and delivery as well as enhancing professional teaching competency.
In her presentation, Dr. Herminia Fajardo, SERDEF Trustee and Research and Information Committee Chair, apprised the gathering of the SERDEF and UP ISSI’s trailblazing work, dating back to the 1980s, in inculcating entrepreneurial concepts and values through education, citing, in particular, the Entrepreneurship Development for Collegiate Educational Level (EDCEL) project, an integrated program which included orientation of administrators, training of teachers, development of teaching materials, formulation of model curricula, and pilot-testing of the curricula in six schools of business.
Dr. Fajardo expressed enthusiasm over collaboration between ENEDA and SERDEF in terms of joint research and training projects. She also pledged the support of the SERDEF’s modest media facility in promoting ENEDA’s entrepreneurship education advocacy among the general public.
Making a presentation for the UP Institute for Small-Scale Industries, identified as another ENEDA partner, was Research Chair Ma. Luisa Solarte Lee.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the private industry sector, and the student group were also represented in the dialogue.
Incoming ENEDA President Maria Luisa Gatchalian apprised the gathering of the upcoming projects of the ENEDA, including a prospective module-writing project on upgrading entrepreneurship teaching competency with SERDEF. Professor Gatchalian is also a member of the SERDEF and its Research and Information Committee.
Ms. Serenidad Lavador, SERDEF Trustee and Vice Chair of the SERDEF Research and Information Committee, also attended the forum.