Curriculum enhancement towards integral education in agriculture in collaboration with Organization of Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA)

Abra was declared as one of the ten poorest provinces in the country. One approach explored was the establishment of domestic and foreign linkages like OISCA [Organization of Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement] to generate employment and skills enhancement. A continuing training of ASIST [Abra State Inst. of Sciences and Technology] graduates in agriculture to ensure employability was proposed. The program started its operation in Abra in 1984. ASIST was a grantee of Japan's program in Human Resource Development and Agriculture and Industrial Training for ASIST graduates to get further training along their fields of specialization in various agencies in Japan. It gave them the competitive edge in employment here and abroad, side from the inter-cultural exposure. The advanced management styles and technologies being used in Japan bridged the gap between theory and practice, which is seen as the weakness of Philippine agricultural education. ASIST is the only institution in Abra offering agriculture and agriculture-related courses interfaced with four functions. The linkage with OISCA has invigorated the employment prospect of agriculture graduate, as well as the enrollment of the College of Agriculture. It is sustained through a committed effort of the college to improve its instruction delivery program so that the quality of its graduates sent to OISCA can meet expectations. Since 2002 up to the present, OISCA and ASIST have been continuously working together to support this program. Constant dialogues are done to plan future activities as well as thresh out problems. The high regard and confidence earned by ASIST from OISCA should be sustained through continued bilateral talks. Furthermore, trainees coming back to our country after training in Japan are absorbed by sister companies in the Philippines, assuring them of employment and serving as a showcase of viability of the program.