By Brett Andrew Rikke Bungcayao, StratCom Correspondent

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Energy Secure Philippines (ESP) project, launched its Women Engineers as Instruments for Sustainable Engineering in Renewable Energies (WISER) initiative titled “Enabling Women in STEM, Strengthening Academic Partnerships for Renewable Energy” in MMSU today, October 9. 

In collaboration with the Department of Energy and the Philippine Technological Council, this project seeks to promote women's participation in renewable energy engineering and address the growing need for energy security and resilience. Additionally, it aims to boost student enrollment in engineering programs focused on renewable energy.'

USAID-ESP has engaged nearly 20,000 senior high school students and collaborated with multiple professional engineering organizations across the Philippines. The event featured career mentoring programs and the launch of mobile applications on both iOS and Android platforms designed to help STEM students prepare for college entrance exams. These apps cover a range of subjects, including chemistry, pre-calculus, and other scientific and mathematical disciplines, and are accessible offline.

Prof. Philstia Mercuria Parreñas Bagayas, University Laboratory Schools principal, expressed her confidence in the involvement of MMSU Laboratory High School (LHS) students. “With the assistance of the WISER project, we are training our future scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and innovators and ensuring the sustainability of engineering in the Philippines. We inspire our students to develop their innovations,” she said.

During the workshop, participants created a Windmill working model using a DC Motor, Fan Blade (propeller), LED Light, red and black wire, folder, and illustration board for 30 minutes. LHS Laoag Campus students emerged as winners during the event. 

Dr. May Rose Imperial, USAID Project Manager, underscored the importance of encouraging students to pursue engineering, stating, “We have high hopes that these students will be the next generation of professionals contributing to technological and engineering advancements.”

The event also focused on the need to empower women in engineering, as shared by Ms. Lynx Marvia Orig from LHS Batac, who emphasized that the event was a powerful platform for encouraging young women to enter a traditionally male-dominated field like engineering.

The event was organized by the MMSU Department of Electronics Engineering, headed by Engr. Lawrence John Tagata, in partnership with the Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines Ilocos Norte Chapter represented by Engr. Wilson Duldulao, and the College of Teacher Education. Over 100 participants from the MMSU Laoag and Batac campuses were present.