College of Arts and Sciences – Experiences are shared, not kept.

This motivated the 53 BS Computer Science (BSCS) students to conduct a seminar on IT trends and issues, May 23, at the CAS Multimedia Center.

The activity, sponsored by the Department of Computer Science (DCS) in cooperation with the Computer Science Society (ComSoc), aimed to promote awareness and appreciation among the participants on the use of IT in building their capabilities as competitive workers in the job market.  This was made possible through the initiative of the CompSc 199 (Practicum) class during the summer term of AY 2011-2012.

Two equally competent IT gurus served as resource speakers during the seminar. Engr. Wendell P. Gutierrez, IT head of the Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative in Dingras, spoke on “Sustaining A+ services through IT competitiveness” while Mr. Roderick Basilio, applications developer of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), discussed the ways of “Fortifying IT capabilities in the public service”.  Both also shared their ideas in the discussions on IT issues experienced by some participants in their on-the-job trainings.

Topics presented by trainees assigned in various offices in the province were: “Introduction to android computing” by Reina Domingo and Mon Placido who trained at Bitstop Network Services, Inc.; “Developing computerized information resource management” by Richmond Rumbaoa (CAS); “Mining the alumni database” by Cristine Curameng (MMSU Alumni Relations Office); “Supporting green computing through proper computer waste management” by Jarmaine Ines (CAS) and Jay-r Famorca (ITC); “Integrating new development tools to legacy systems” by  Norelle Faye Tiri and Glen Patricio (INEC);  “Upgrading public service through IT competitiveness” by Maribeth Suniga, Rhayan Rigonan, Carloyd Vicente, Mark Anthony Doronio (PGIN) and  Kleo Ramoran (DENR); and “IT capabilities in the corporate world” by Andy Galing (SSS).

Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco, CAS dean, congratulated the DCS for spearheading the activity. “Technology has revolutionized everything. This seminar gives our students opportunities to widen their horizons and be a part of the galaxy of discoveries unravelled in the cyberspace where we are in now,” she said.

The budget used for the seminar was taken from the OJT Fund of the BSCS program. Mrs. Milagros Barruga, OJT coordinator, prepared the documents needed to withdraw the fund for the said purpose. (With a report from Milagros Barruga)