Dec. 3, 2004 JITSE Phil changes name to PhilNITS

NEWS RELEASE Dec. 3, 2004 JITSE Phil changes name to PhilNITS

The Japanese IT Standard Examinations Philippine Foundation, Inc. (JITSE Phil) has changed its corporate name to the Philippine National IT Standards Foundation (PhilNITS), Inc. Maricor Akol, president of PhilNITS said the change in the corporate name is intended to correct the misconception that the IT standard exams being implemented are only for the Japanese market.

PhilNITS is a non-stock, non-profit, non-government organization that is implementing an internationally-recognized certification program from the Japan Information Technology Engineers Examination Center (JITEC) of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan without necessarily limiting the use only for the Japanese market.

Following a close examination and evaluation of the JITSE standard by the Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the National Computer Center, it was found that the JITSE standard is equivalent to the European and American standard on the fundamentals of IT.

JITSE is identified with the fundamental exam (FE) from the Japan Information Technology Engineers Examination Center (JITEC). JITSE exams measure the competency of an individual on the fundamentals of IT based on standards adopted by JITEC and recognized by India, China, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Chinese Taipei and the Philippines.

The Bureau of Product Standards (BPS) of the DTI has approved the recognition of the JITSE standard as a Philippine national standard with product number PNS 2030:2003.

The fundamental IT exams or popularly called JITSE exams are given twice a year. For 2005, the scheduled exams are on May 22 and October 9, 2005. The exams will be held in six testing centers nationwide: Philippine Christian University along Taft Avenue in Manila, Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City, Capitol University in Cagayan de Oro City, University of San Carlos in Cebu City, University of Baguio in Baguio City and Faith Academy in Tanauan, Batangas.

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Nov. 26 2004 JITSE Phil conducts training for systems engineers

JITSE Phil. Foundation is currently conducting a free bridge system engineer training course attended by 11 IT professionals in cooperation with the Center of the International Cooperation for Computerization (CICC).

Maricor Akol, president of JITSE Phil. Foundation said the one-month course is designed to train Filipino systems engineers who speak and write Japanese. “The participants are expected to play an important role as a ‘bridge’ to establish business alliances between the Japanese and Filipino IT industries,” said Akol. The program introduces the concept of the project life cycle from planning to delivery and project management. Lectures and practical training are provided in detail for each process of the life cycle based on the proven concepts used in Japanese business organizations including Japanese culture and customs.

Akol said that after the training program, participants are expected to understand Japanese business manners, negotiation concepts and contracts with their Japanese counterparts. The participants would also be able to understand the user needs accurately and be able to submit proposals for systems development and techniques of system analysis and systems management.Lectures and discussions during the training program are conducted in Japanese and partly in English. CICC is a Japanese foundation with the objective of implementing joint collaborative activities in promoting computerization in developing countries.

JITSE Phil will also conduct a similar free training on Feb. 7 to March 4, 2005. The training will be taught in English and is sponsored by the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarships (AOTS).

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October 20, 2004 -- 49 IT professionals pass JITSE exam

Forty-nine examinees passed the Japanese IT standard examinations held on October 10 this year in five testing centers throughout the country. JITSE Phil. Foundation president Maricor Akol says the passing rate was 19.5 percent out of the 251 examinees who took the exams. “I’m proud that this year’s passing rate was the highest so far since the JITSE exams started in 2001 and is comparable in performance rating with that of Japan,” says Akol.

 

Akol attributed the high passing mark to the regular IT training programs sponsored by the Association of Overseas Technical Scholarships (AOTS) of Japan, the review courses given by JITSE Phil before the examination day and the textbooks from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan. “This year’s passing rate was a big improvement from the number of passers of only 13 on April 25, 2004.

 

Yes, the Filipino can!” says Akol who was elated by the performance of this year’s JITSE exams. To further improve the performance of JITSE, “there is a need to refocus our standards and curriculum in order to enhance the quality of IT education in our country,” says Akol. With the encouraging performance of the recent JITSE exams, “I believed we’re on the right track of our long-term objective in making the Philippines the e-services hub of Asia,” Akol stressed.

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October 15, 2004 JITSE Phil Conducts IT Trainor's Training

JITSE Phil Foundation will conduct a one-month training for IT instructors on Oct. 18 at the JITSE office in Makati City. Maricor Akol, president of JITSE Phil said the training program is designed to enhance the participants' teaching skills through exercises on the actual fundamental engineers' course.

 

The 15 participants are expected to learn the methods in drawing up planning documents as well as teaching materials for the fundamental IT engineers' course. They will also learn the basic cycle ofcreating IT-related training course including developing a curriculum, creating teaching materials, designing lesson plans, preparation of lectures, evaluationof lectures and other related topics.

 

A similar instructors' training will be conducted on Jan. 24 to Feb. 18, 2005 to be held at the University of San Carlos in Cebu City. Akol said more than 60 IT instructors have already graduated from the AOTS-sponsored training programs since it started in 2003. She also cited the importance of a continuing training program for IT instructors because of the growing number of IT professionals and engineers taking the annual Japanese IT standard examinations.

 

The training program is sponsored by the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) of Japan, a non-profit association supported by the Japanese government through the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). JITSE Phil and AOTS have been conducting various IT skills training programs in the country. More than 112,000 graduates have been trained under the AOTS training programs in Japan and 170 developing countries and regions.

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Sept 29, 2004 JITSE Phil conducts free review for examinees

The Japanese IT Standard Examination Philippine Foundation (JITSE Phil) will conduct a one-day review session on October 6 from 9:00am to 5:00pm for interested examinees who will take the exams on October 10. JITSE Phil president Maricor Akol has urged interested examinees in Metro Manila to attend the free review in order to help them pass the exams.

 

The review session will cover the fundamental IT for engineers including programming, networking, database and other basic computer technologies.Akol said that an estimated 200 IT professionals and engineers are expected to the take the Oct. 10 certification exams throughout the country.

 

JITSE has already produced 88 certified IT professionals and engineers since the program started three years ago.

Successful examinees who passed the exams are assured of working visas for one to three years in Japan. Japanese companies operating in the Philippines are in need of JITSE-certified professionals.

 

The Japanese IT industry is in need of more than 1.4 million IT engineers, programmers and other IT professionals and knowledge-based workers based on a survey conducted by the Japanese government. The Japanese embassy in Manila has substantially eased the restrictions for working visas of IT professionals interested to work in Japan. The processing of working visas for JITSE-certified professionals will be expedited by the Japanese embassy.

 

JITSE Phil has a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) with Japan Information Technology Engineers' Examination Center (JITEC). Interested applicants are advised to proceed to the JITSE office, 3rd floor, Oppen Bldg., Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City.

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August 16, 2004 JITSE conducts free training on network and IT fundamentals

JITSE Phil Foundation is conducting free trainings on networking sponsored by JICA-Net and fundamental IT engineers. Sixty-five participants are currently attending the five-module training course using the Internet as the electronic learning tool in accessing the course content. Maricor Akol, president of JITSE Phil. Foundation said the training is free and participants are given free books and materials during the training period until Sept. 30, 2004.

 

This is a new method of electronic learning in the Philippines using the Internet, video conferencing and virtual classroom with distance lectures from Japanese experts. JITSE Phil will also conduct another training on fundamental IT engineers from Aug. 30 to Sept. 14 in Manila and in Cagayan de Oro City with 15 participants. Akol said the training program is in response to the growing demand for IT software engineers in the Philippines and abroad.

 

Participants will learn the advanced knowledge of computer science and computer systems such as data structures, algorithms, system configuration and methods. They will also study network technology, database technology and security and standardization. The training also features information system design and development, analysis of system requirements to development before operation with some exercises and various techniques and tolls used in the development process.

 

For more information, please call 898-2691 or access the web site at www.jitse.org.

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May 31, 2004 J ITSE Phil urges schools to conduct JITSE review classes

JITSE Phil Foundation has urged member-schools of the PhilippineAssociation of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAPSCU) to comeup with review classes on the Japanese IT standards exams (JITSE).

 

Maricor Akol, JITSE Phil Foundation president made the call at thegraduation ceremony of the four-week course on the fundamentals of ITengineers held at the JITSE Phil office in Makati City. The Philippines has the competitive advantage in information technology(IT) skills over other Asean countries, said Akol as she encouragedparticipants who are IT instructors from the different colleges and universities to take the JITSE certification exams on October 10, 2004. "We are partnering with schools, colleges and universities to increase thenumber of certified IT professionals who will pass the JITSE exams," said Akol.

 

The Japanese IT standard exams (JITSE) is a joint initiative of theMinistry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI) of Japan and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) aimed at upgrading the skills of IT professionalsin the country. Akol also urged schools to incorporate JITSE curriculum in their academicofferings in order to help increase the number of JITSE-certified graduates who are in demand in the Philippines and Japan.

 

JITSE-certified IT professionals are assured of working visas for one tothree years in Japan aside from the growing demand from Japanese companies operating in the Philippines. The Japanese IT industry is in need of more than 1.4 million IT engineers,programmers and other IT professionals and knowledge-based workers based ona recent survey conducted by the Japanese government. The Japanese embassy in Manila has substantially eased the restrictions forworking visas of IT professionals interested to work in Japan. The processing of working visas for JITSE-certified professionals will beexpedited by the Japanese embassy. JITSE Phil has a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) with Japan InformationTechnology Engineers' Examination Center (JITEC).

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May 31, 2004 Lucky 13 pass JITSE exams

JITSE Phil. Foundation, Inc. announces the results of the Japanese ITstandard certification exams (JITSE) given last April 25 throughout thecountry. Maricor Akol, president of JITSE Phil. Foundation said that 13 passed theJITSE exams out of the 211 examinees who took the tests in five examination centers.

 

Akol congratulated the following successful examinees -- Yoly To Te of JNDInternational Corp.; Franklin Chua, a UST graduate; Brandon Joseph Tan, a DLSU graduate; Dr. Alexander Joseph Reyes of Medical City; Angelico C.Barcena, a UP student; Ricardo R. Basa of Innoxus Solutions; Aristotle Teofilo Isias of Astra Philippines; Carlo F. Florendo of Astra Phils.;Arnold M. Putong of UP Computer Science Dept.; Kelvin Lee Cabiling of ADTX Makati; Simplicio Gamboa III, Jeffrey Arne Yap, and Rodney B. Cabahug, allof ADTX Cebu.

 

JITSE Phil is planning to hold a formal awarding ceremony for thesuccessful examinees of the 2003 and 2004 JITSE exams. The ceremony will coincide with the formal opening of the NationalCertification Month on Sept. 1 with no less than the President of thePhilippines as the guest of honor.Akol said the venue for the awarding ceremony will be announced later.

 

JITSE-certified IT professionals are assured working visas for one to threeyears in Japan following the easing of restrictions for IT engineers by the Japanese Embassy in Manila.Akol said that there is big demand for JITSE-cerfified IT professionals inJapan and local Japanese companies operating in the Philippines.She cited a recent survey that the Japanese IT industry is need of morethan 1.4 million IT engineers, programmers and other knowledge-based workers to work in Japan.

 

Atom Net, a group of small and medium-sized companies based in Tokyo hasbeen hiring at least 50 Filipino programmers and IT professionals who are JITSE-certified. Akol has urged IT professionals to take advantage of the JITSEcertification exams in order to enhance their IT skills and competencylevel.

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May 5, 2004 JITSE conducts training on fundamental IT engineers

Some 33 IT professionals from the different member-schools of the Philippine Association of Private Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAPSCU) are undergoing a four-week training on fundamental IT engineers.

 

Maricor Akol, president of JITSE Phil Foundation said the training is aimed at enhancing the capacity and capability of IT lecturers. Areas covered include computer systems, database technology, internal design and programming and other relevant IT topics.

 

The trainees come from Manuel L. Quezon University , STI College Sta. Rosa, University of the East, La Consolacion Iriga, IETI, Rizal Marine & Technocomputer College Infanta, St. Anthony College of Technology Mabalacat, A.G. Villaroya Technical Foundation Insitute, Nova Computer College, Gateway Institute of Science and Technology, Brentwood College of Asia International School, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Mein College of Zamboanga City, Global Computing Center, and St. Mutien Marie College, Baguio Colleges , Nueva Viscaya State Polytechnic College and TESDA. Other interested schools are urged to participate in the training programs offered by the JITSE by accessing the JITSE web site at www.jitse.org or call 898-2691 to 92.

 

Akol also announced that the next Japanese IT standards exams will be held on October 10, 2004 . Review materials for the exams are available at the JITSE office in Makati City . The exams will be held in Manila , Baguio , Tanauan in Batangas, Cebu , Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga. An applicant should have a knowledge in any of the four programming languages such as Assembler, C, COBOL or Java. There will be no age limit or college degree required for all applicants. Akol said successful applicants are assured of working visas for one to three years in Japan aside from the growing demand for JITSE-certified IT professionals from Japanese companies operating in the Philippines .

 

The Japanese IT industry is in need of more than 1.4 million IT engineers, programmers and other IT professionals and knowledge-based workers based on a survey conducted by the Japanese government. The Japanese embassy in Manila has substantially eased the restrictions for working visas of IT professionals interested to work in Japan . The processing of working visas for JITSE-certified professionals will be expedited by the Japanese embassy. JITSE Phil has a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) with Japan Information Technology Engineers' Examination Center (JITEC).

 

Interested applicants can access the JITSE Phil web site - style="color:blue;">www.jitse.org or call tel. No. 898-2691 to 92 for more information.

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April 4, 2004 Japan to continue IT assistance to RP

Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) has vowed to continue its support to the Philippine information technology ( IT ) industry by providing grants, assistance and training programs.

 

This assurance was made by Hinorobu Okamuro, director of Jetro Manila following the formal turnover of a 3.5 million pesos worth of hardware and software assistance to JITSE Phil Foundation. Jetro has special interest in IT particularly in providing assistance to training programs for IT instructors, IT engineers and professionals.Okamuro has cited the need for more JITSE-certified IT engineers who are in demand by Japanese companies. Japanese companies are outsourcing their software programs abroad particularly in the Philippines.

 

During the turnover ceremony at the JITSE office in Makati City, Maricor Akol, president of Japan IT Standard Examination of the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (JITSE-Phil.) has expressed her gratitude to JETRO for the additional assistance given to further strengthen the training programs. "We're grateful to Japan for the assistance that would enable us to expand our training programs throughout the country from Baguio in the north to Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao," said Akol. Akol said that the assistance is in conjunction with Japan's commitment and IT initiative programs in the Asean region.

 

She noted that JITSE has been able to raise the IT standard for the Filipinos through the training and certification programs and become more competitive in the world market. Akol also disclosed that a tokyo-based group of companies would be recruiting JITSE-certified graduates. The group called ATOM .Net would be hiring at least 50 JITSE-certified IT engineers and professionals to work in Tokyo, Japan.

 

Two certification exams for IT professionals are scheduled this year on April 25 and October 10. The exams are held in in Manila, Baguio, Tanauan in Batangas, Cebu, Davao and Zamboanga.

 

For his part, Kensuke Saito, commercial attache of the embassy of Japan said the JETRO assistance is part of Japan's commitment to the Asean region particularly in the Philippines. Saito believes that the Philippines could be competitive in IT with China and India. He is optimistic that the passing mark for JITSE certification exams this year would be higher from last year's passing rate of eight percent.

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April 3, 2004 Firms in Japan to hire Filipino IT specialists

The Manila Times, JITSE graduates preferred.

ATOM Net, a group of small and medium-sized (SMEs) companies based in TOKYO, Japan is hiring at least 50 Filipino programmers and information technology professionals who are graduates of the Japanese IT Standard Examination (JITSE).

 

Maricor Akol, president of JITSE Foundation of the Philippines said that the Japanese establishments have offered to hire the Jitse-certified IT professionals."At least 15 Japanese small and medium-sized companies are convinced that Jitse-certified Filipino software engineers and programmers are qualified to work in Japan," Akol said.

 

The exams will be held Manila, Baguio, Tanauan in Batangas, Cebu, Davao and Zamboanga.Deadline for the filing of application is on April 20 for the first exam. An applicant should have a knowledge in any of the four programming languages such as Assembler, C, COBOL, or Java. There will be no age limit or college degree required for all applicants.

 

Akol said successful applicants are assured of working visas for one to three years in Japan aside from the growing demand of Jitse-certified professionals from Japanese companies operating in the Philippines.The Japanese IT industry is in need of more than 1.4 million IT engineers, programmers and other IT professionals and knowledge-based workers based on a survey conducted by the Japanese government. The Japanese Embassy in Manila has substantially eased the restriction for working visas for Jitse-certified professionals will be expedited by the Japanese Embassy.

 

Jitse-Phil has mutual recognition agreement with Japan Information Technology Engineer's Examination Center.

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