Cebu students get training in Japanese manufacturing techniques

MANILA, Philippines - Students in three universities in Cebu are being introduced to Japanese manufacturing techniques and standards to boost their employability in the manufacturing sector. 

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Japan’s Saitama Prefecture are teaching college students the Japanese manufacturing philosophy of monozukuri, which is centered on values such as responsibility, product quality, excellence, adaptability to technology and processes, and prudent use of resources. 

The training program is part of JICA’s technical cooperation for grassroots projects. It is now offered in Cebu’s University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR), University of San Carlos and Cebu Technological Institute.

An institute devoted to monozukuri has in fact been established in USJR to facilitate the conduct of trainings and keep records of trainees and materials. 

Being well-versed in Japanese manufacturing practices will give graduates the opportunity of being hired in Japanese companies, JICA said.

The program is also supported by Tokyo University and Shibaura Institute of Technology. 

“JICA recognizes the importance of industry-academe-government linkages to develop human resources and support industrialization efforts. Through this development cooperation between Saitama Prefecture and Japanese universities and Cebu, we hope that more Filipinos will have better access to quality jobs and opportunities,” said JICA section chief Flerida Chan. 

Around 250 Filipino engineering students have so far graduated from the training program, some of whom are now employed in Japanese firms in Cebu.