By DANIEL P. TAPAOAN, JR.

Ms. Efipania C. Aure of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte decided to continue her tertiary education in 2018 despite being a senior citizen and her daily work in a daycare center.

After two years, she finally earned her degree proving that it is never too late to pursue one’s dream.

This 63-year-old daycare worker is among the four who finished their degrees through the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) offered by the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU). 

Her fellow ETEEAP graduates are Delia B. Casimiro, Arnel G. Lazo, and Dolores Y. Luis who all completed Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology (BSIT), major in Food Technology from the MMSU College of Industrial Technology (CIT). 

Casimiro, 57, is also a daycare worker in San Nicolas town; Lazo, 38, is an assistant restaurant manager of the Vigan Foods Corporation in Ilocos Sur; and Luis, 37, was an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) from Hong Kong. 

They are among the MMSU Class of 2020 who have proven that the COVID-19 pandemic and other life’s struggles can never stop them from earning college degrees.   

“The completion of their degrees shows that the university is committed to help our lifelong learners in achieving their dreams despite their age,” said ETEEAP chief Dr. Jovenita A. Aragon who believes that the graduates will have better career opportunities because they are now equipped with college degrees.

Aure first entered the Imus Institute of Science and Technology in 1982 to take up Bachelor of Arts major in English Language, while Casimiro tried to enrol at the Faith Bible Institute in 1979 to pursue Ministerial Theology. 

Lazo went to the University of Northern Philippines in 2000 to take up BS in Architecture, and Luis entered MMSU in 2001 to earn a degree in Technical Homemaking. 

They, however, were not able to complete their respective courses. 

In 2018, they decided to go back to college. Thanks to the ETEEAP Office at MMSU, who offered and recommended them to take BSIT based on the assessment of their records. 

In completing the degrees, they had to accomplish modules given by their professors. The four only had to go to CIT when they were called to report about their learning process. 

MMSU is one of the deputized institutions in the country to offer ETEEAP. Along with its programs of expertise, the university administers outcomes-based education to determine the knowledge, skills and attitudes relevant to a particular discipline. Consequently, equivalent credits and appropriate certificates and degrees are awarded to successful candidates.

Degree programs being offered under the ETEEAP at MMSU are BS Biology, BS Economics, BS Industrial Technology, and BSIT with seven majors: civil/drafting technology, computer technology, electronics technology, electrical technology, food technology, garments technology, and refrigerator and aircon technology.

The assessment of the ETEEAP applicants in MMSU is done by the program chief and the panel of assessors which is composed of faculty experts, members of professional, or government and non-government organizations, as well as consumer and industry representatives.

To avail the program, applicants must submit three sets of the following requirements: accomplished ETEEAP application form with 1x1 ID picture; authenticated birth certificate; proof of good moral character (i.e. barangay/NBI clearance); service record/certificate of employment with detailed job descriptions, school credentials like transcript of records, diploma, form 137/138; resume/curriculum vitae; certificates of seminars, trainings and workshops attended/conducted; and certificates of awards and citations. 

The ETEEAP, in line with Executive Order 330 s. 1996, recognizes that education and the acquisition of higher expertise can take place even outside the confines of the classroom. It presumes that the knowledge and skills gained by an individual in his job is comparable to one who had a formal college schooling. (StratCom)