“Because of these tools, we are more confident that our practical training will prepare us for real work, business, and professional life.”
With those words of gratitude, Jerobe Arce, a fourth-year automotive student with a disability at the College of Industrial Technology of the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology, capped the turnover ceremony for electrical and electronics equipment worth PHP 1.89 million on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at the ISUFST TechnoHub, Main Campus–Poblacion Site, in Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo.
Arce, who is completing his internship at F&E Enterprises in Iloilo City, thanked the Rotary Club of Namweon Central in South Korea’s District 3670 and the Rotary Club of Iloilo in District 3850 for continuing to invest in the skills development of ISUFST students.
“These equipment, machinery, and tools will ensure that our training becomes more complete and more relevant to the industries we hope to serve,” Arce said in a mix of Hiligaynon, English and Korean, ending his testimony with a heartfelt “Kamsahamnida” to the visiting Korean Rotarians.
The ceremony marked the formal turnover of equipment under Rotary Global Grant GG2682848 for POWER UP, or Project for Optimized Workforce-Readiness Through Equipment and Resource Upgrade for Professional Certification.
The grant will support the university’s Bachelor of Industrial Technology program by upgrading laboratories used for Electrical Installation and Maintenance and Electronic Products Assembly and Servicing training.
The new equipment includes electrical installation trainers, digital multimeters, soldering stations, function generators, solar power training systems, electronic servicing tools, electronic appliances and industrial control components aligned with Technical Education and Skills Development Authority certification standards.
Rotary global grants support large international activities with sustainable, measurable outcomes, while TESDA’s Electrical Installation and Maintenance NC II and Electronic Products Assembly and Servicing NC II standards cover competencies in electrical wiring, lighting installation, and the assembly and servicing of electronic products and systems.
The upgrades are expected to benefit more than 450 students and community learners each year, many of whom come from farming, fishing and other low-income households in nearby municipalities.
ISUFST President Nordy Siason Jr. said the project strengthens the university’s mission to produce graduates ready for real-world work environments.
“Projects like POWER UP ensure that our students train with tools that mirror actual industry standards. This is not only about equipment—it is about building confidence and competence among our learners,” Siason said.
The project also highlights the growing collaboration among ISUFST and Rotary partners in the Philippines and South Korea.
Changhun Lee, president of the Rotary Club of Namweon Central, thanked the university and its Rotary partners for the warm reception.
After the ceremony, the Rotarians toured the College of Industrial Technology laboratories to view the new facilities.
For Rotary Club of Iloilo President Lucio Encio, the project shows the power of partnerships.
“Supporting education and skills training helps communities grow and gives young people real opportunities,” he said.
According to Herman Lagon, Rotary Global Grant project head and ISUFST director, the initiative builds on the growing collaboration between the university and Rotary partners.
“This project shows how global partnerships can empower local communities through education and skills development. With modern training facilities, our students will have stronger pathways to employment and entrepreneurship,” Lagon said.
For the College of Industrial Technology, the equipment significantly enhances the university’s capacity to deliver industry-relevant technical education.
College of Industrial Technology Dean Rodel Dosano said the upgraded laboratories will help ensure that students receive training aligned with current technological standards.
“These facilities allow us to provide deeper hands-on learning. Our students will now train using tools and systems that reflect the realities of modern electrical and electronics industries,” Dosano said.
The program began with the استقبال of guests by College of Industrial Technology and College of Management students and with performances in the function hall by the ISUFST KI-AY Dance Group and faculty singers.
The opening ceremony included the singing of the South Korean national anthem, the Philippine national anthem, the ISUFST Hymn and the Rotary Hymn, as well as the recitation of the Rotary Four-Way Test.
Siason delivered the welcome remarks, while Lagon presented the significance of the partnership and the turnover.
The ceremony proceeded with the signing of the deed of donation by representatives of ISUFST, the Rotary Club of Iloilo and the Rotary Club of Namweon Central.
The turnover also included the unveiling of the marker, ribbon-cutting rites at the new College of Industrial Technology building, the giving of plaques and tokens, and Arce’s student testimony.
The event concluded with closing remarks from Dosano and a fellowship gathering and thanksgiving lunch at the TechnoHub featuring a cultural presentation by ISUFST performers.
The POWER UP project follows the implementation of a separate PHP 1.89 million Rotary grant in 2025 that upgraded the university’s automotive laboratory under the Automotive Industry Modernization in Iloilo initiative.
With the new grant, ISUFST aims to further strengthen its role as a regional hub for technical-vocational education and workforce development in northern Iloilo, supporting both student training and community-based skills development. (Ricky Ramos / Herman Lagon / PAMMCO)
