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Graduates reminded of the inspiration behind Dualtech

The bedrock of Dualtech’s foundation is the core of Opus Dei’s message taught by St. Josemaria Escriva. Whereas Dualtech pioneered the Dual Training System in the Philippines through close school and industry collaboration – the spirit that animates its efforts to develop skills and instill values in the persons it trains derives from “sanctification of work”. Saint Josemaria said that heaven and earth may appear to meet on the horizon but where heaven and earth truly meet is in our hearts; that is the altar where we offer our work to God. When you sanctify your work, and you sanctify yourself and others through your work then a piece of heaven is brought here on earth now…”

–        Mr. Arnolfo S. Morfe, Dualtech President

 

The recent October 22, 2022 graduation had a special twist to it as it centered on the early pioneering inspiration that produced the Dualtech of today.

In front of the 108 graduates, Dualtech’s President Mr. Arnolfo S. Morfe explained that the main inspiration behind the school on its 40th Anniversary was Opus Dei, whose presence in the Philippines began in the early 1960’s. Back then and even now, the message remains the same: finding God in daily life.

In his remarks, Mr. Morfe shared that some nearly 60 years ago, the economists Dr. Bernie Villegas and Dr. Jesus Estanislao returned to the Philippines from studying in the US. They brought with them the message of Opus Dei, which led to many vocations and initiatives of lasting impact to the church and the country.

Dr. Estanislao, the guest speaker, focused on inspiring the future ahead for the school: “[Dualtech] can convert these young men into successful and professional individuals who are going to be heroes of the Republic… and shapers of a new civilization here in the Philippines and in the rest of Asia.” In previous positions in the past years, Dr. Estanislao has been a Secretary of Finance, Secretary of National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Founding President of University of Asia & Pacific and Founding Dean of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Institute in Tokyo. Currently, he is Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Institute of Corporate Directors and Institute of Solidarity in Asia.

Neil Jaxon O. Ricafrente, Bronze Merit & Gold In-School Performance Awards Recipient and Carmelray Industrial Corporation scholar, gave a speech on behalf of other graduates. All the long hours of training finally culminated in that moment of gratitude: “Every learning experience which serves as armor that encourages us to push ourselves further amidst any adversities, every line drawn, measurements, cutting, hammering and ironing out of metals which we have made to reach this moment… It was all possible due to the help of many foundations and organization which supported us. On behalf of everyone who will be graduating here… We would like to send our never ending thank you!

Like many countless narratives in the school, Neil’s story of challenge and hope is familiar but just as profound. He is from Calamba, Laguna. His mother, working as a cook, and his father, a family driver, spent for the studies of Neil and his brother Nixon in Dualtech. After earning a Carmelray Scholarship, he continued his in-plant training in the Carmelray Industrial Corporation, where he also took his 18-month Applied Stage Training Program (ASTP).

During the graduation, an audio-visual presentation (AVP) prepared by Lao Foundation, Inc. (LFI) was played featuring the Lao scholar and Dualtech alumnus Ulyssis Desunia, Jr.. The LFI (represented by Ms. Cristina Viray & Ms. Pauline Anne Francisco) alongside their corporate counterparts at D&L Group of Companies composed of the D&L Polymer & Colors, Inc., Oleofats Incorporated, Malay Resources, Chemrez Technologies, First In Colors and AeroPack (represented by Mr. Mon Taniola, Ms. Maricor Lucido, and Mr. Ryan Inoy) were collectively awarded by President Morfe and Executive Dir. Engr. Muhi a Plaque of Appreciation for being partners of Dualtech on its 40th Founding Anniversary.

HISTORY OF THE DUAL TRAINING SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY

The German model of DTS first reached the Philippines in the 1980s through the efforts of the Southeast Asian Science Foundation and the Hanns Seidel Foundation of Bavaria, Germany. The Dualtech Training Center Foundation Inc. is the result of the collaboration.

In 1991, the then Bureau of Technical and Vocational Education sought to promote the Dualtech experience, in select public and private technical schools throughout the country.

In February 1994, President Fidel V. Ramos signed into law Republic Act No. 7686 or the Dual Training System Act of 1994 which calls for the institutionalization of the DTS in accredited public and private educational institutions, training centers, and various industrial entities.

Through the DTS Law, the government is mandated to promote and administer the dual training system.  Even today, the school-industry partnership aspect of the system is a vital key to the program. Cooperation begins at the formation of the training plan, and continues on to best practices by which the trainee can efficiently gain knowledge and skills during the span of the training period.

In a recent get together in the school with DTS industry partners in December 2022, most of the guests mentioned the critical role of Dualtech in ramping up a bigger, more competitive workforce for companies ready to be key role players in the Southeast Asian region resulting in more Filipino youth getting access to education that profoundly impacts on lives and communities.

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