ELEVEN students of the Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation (VMUF) in San Carlos City were awarded scholarships by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) during the recent launching of the ladderized education program in Pangasinan held at the Dagupan City Astrodome.

The launching of the program coincided with the introduction of the nationwide “Career Caravan” led by Secretary Augusto “Boboy” Syjuco, TESDA director-general.

TESDA’s PGMA-Training for Work Scholarship Project (PGMA-TWSP) on Ladderized Education System Scholarship listed the VMUF scholars as Emmanuel N. Andress of Dagupan City; Jefferson S. Baltazar, San Manuel; Ma. Cristina T. Estrada, Urdaneta City; Joeward F. Marcellano, San Carlos City; Jeffrey P. Melican, Aguilar; Nezer S. Mendoza, Urbiztondo; Lou Janno S. Rafanan, Villasis; Eurinico C. Ramos, San Carlos City; Patrick G. Reyes, San Carlos City; Janna Richelle M. Tañang, Urdaneta City and Michael Neil DC. Tandingan of Mangaldan, Pangasinan.

The TESDA program on ladderized education system addresses the present compartmentalization of tech-voc and college degree programs that hinders the recognition and accreditation o

Under the ladderized system however, the tech-voc and college degree components are harmonized allowing an individual to progress between and among tech-voc courses, college degree programs and progressively gainful employment.

Syjuco said ladderized education is empowerment because it provides individuals “opportunities to take control of their lives, equip themselves with the skills and competencies they need to get a job, earn an income, eventually fulfill their dreams of finishing college or beyond, and liberate themselves from the shackles of poverty, helplessness and hopelessness.”

Only VMUF headed by its president Dr. Ma. Lilia P. Juan and Lyceum- Northwestern University led by Atty. Gonzalo Duque are the two higher education institutions in Pangasinan with ladderized education program under Executive Order No. 358.

TESDA said that for school year 2006-2007, ladderized education will be implemented by authorized institutions in eight disciplines: Agriculture, Health, Maritime,; Tourism, Information Technology, Engineering, Criminology and Education.

The VMUF is the only university in Region I offering ladderized course in Animal Health Technology and employs the program in the field of agriculture while the LNU offers hotel and restaurant management course. (Norman C. Caguioa)