What Makes ECE Unique?

By Raquel Tupas

FACE IT AND REALIZE…

Face it and then you will realize that even though Electronics Engineering (ECE) is more complicated and difficult profession to other courses somehow, the uniqueness of it prevails to the perseverance and dedication of a certain ECE student. Technically speaking, ECE is more on analyzing different kind of mathematical problem and theory on different aspects of electronics. Electronics engineering is more on enhancing and molding a certain individual towards his professionalism and triumph ahead to the competitive world.

An instructor once said that “ECEs are true people, being true to themselves, and acting more like a child but see things in mature way as supposed.” Indeed, ECEs are just being true to their attitude and on how they manage to deal with their professors. Moreover, Engineering is known to have this logical and systematic way of thinking, that is, in their work, appropriate and concise characteristics are essential to bring in success.

Voluntas: Org or frat?

by: Gerald E. dela Cruz

Voluntas is an organization established in the PLnP on July 29, 2005. This is composed of students from different colleges with a vision of promoting the policy of peace, equality, unity, and cooperation among its members. This organization has already proven its commitment by helping in different university activities and contributing to the maintenance of the Pamantasan such as cleaning of comfort rooms and PLP Quadrangle.

But as the time passes by, there are controversies on which this organization was accused to be an underground fraternity hiding as an ordinary school organization. I personally interviewed the president and founder of Voluntas, Mr. John Vincent Baltazar–a BSECE student, he concurred that most of their members are also a part of an outside chapter fraternity but this does not actually mean that the organization itself is a fraternity. He stated that their organization is free from any illegal activities such as initiations and other actions related to fraternity. In fact, Voluntas is open to all the students of PLP who wanted to join and serve for the benefit of this university, as he said. It might not be clear for some students and professors that all of the sacrifices of its members are just to provide assistance to all the faculties of the PLP. It is heartbreaking for their part that their act of kindness will be misinterpreted as an act of illegitimate initiation for fraternity intents.

In my own point of view, it isn’t important whether the Voluntas is an organization or fraternity. As long as they know their limitations and they do not exercise any illegal actions, they will remain an innocent and functional organization. We must actually be thankful for having this kind of organization of which its members render their time, effort and even funds for the betterment of our university.

Cisco Systems’ Discovery & Exploration @ PLP

by: Gerald E. dela Cruz

The Cisco Networking Academy Program has introduced their newest CCNA curricula last June of 2007: the CCNA Discovery and the CCNA Exploration. These curricula were designed to address the demands of a changing marketplace and respond to input from administrators, instructors, and students in preparation for the CCNA Certification and Professional Careers.

The Discovery is an independent curriculum integrated into broader course of study and is efficient for students with basic PC usage skills. At the same time as the Exploration which is an integrated technology curriculum created for continuing education program and is defined for students with advanced problem solving and analytical skills. The Venn diagram below further states the relationship of these two curricula:

Just as recent as November of 2007, the Cisco Networking Academy has invited the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasig together with other Universities and Institutions namely De La Salle University-Manila, University of Santo Tomas, San Sebastian College, Mapua Institute of Technology, AMA Computer University-Makati, and the Meralco Foundation to participate in the small-market trial for the new curricula which includes contribution for the concept and design of the CCNA Discovery 3 & 4. The PLP sent its representative Cisco Instructor Prof. Jesus M. Bautista as one of the persons who will contribute thoughts about the instructional flow, reading level, analytical skills, learning engagement, and how well these curricula meet the needs of the students.

This 3 day complimentary event held in DLSU-Manila was attended by Cisco System Technical Specialists from different countries specifically United States, India, Australia, Singapore and China.