College of Engineering – Three electrical engineering graduates here flew to Australia June 3 to start training as solar engineers as part of a group of 33 Filipinos selected by Solar Farmers Pty Ltd, a leading international solar project developer based in Quueensland, to operate a partner company in the Philippines.

Engineers Justine G. Allado, Renz Carlo V. Ancheta, and John Phillip A. Tariga, all graduates in the first semester of AY 2011-2012, were among the group of Filipino engineers accepted by the said Australian-based solar company for a two-month training. They just passed the Licensure Examination for Electrical Engineers and are knowledgeable in AutoCAD and PLC programming.

Mr. Craig Balmanno, CEO of Solar Farmers Pty Ltd, travelled to Manila in December 2011 to discuss the solar power technology to interested parties identified by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Australia Philippines as the chamber has been encouraging and promoting bilateral trade and investment opportunities between the two countries. Craig made another visit in March this year to finalize the establishment of a local counterpart named Solar farmers Corporation in partnership with Solar Farmers Pty Ltd and several business entities.

Solar power is a proven technology that is both beneficial to the environment and can help organizations hedge against rapidly rising electricity prices. Solar Farmers Pty Ltd has rapidly become a leading, locally owned solar project developer, providing clean energy solutions for land owners, and local government and corporate clients throughout Australia and Asia.  They have installed more than 4,000 domestic and commercial solar power systems in Queensland, Australia over the last four years.

The group of Filipino engineers selected to operate the Philippine company and now training in Australia to build capabilities in the renewable solar energy technology, is composed of 30 solar electricians, one Filipino partner, and two management staff.  The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Australia Philippines is providing in-kind support to Solar Farmers Pty Ltd to ensure that the trainees’ stay in Australia would achieve desired results. The trainees will also be introduced to Australian-Filipino communities to make their stay a positive experience that they can share with their family and friends back home.

The three MMSU graduates applied as electrical engineers at Solar Farmers Corporation with the help of President Miriam E. Pascua through Dr. Virgilio Julius P. Manzano Jr., COE dean, and Mr. Oscar A. Torralba, chair of the Management Association of the Philippines Committee on Agri-Business and Countryside Development as well as chair of the CHED Technical Panel for Business and Management Education.