Arroyo to schools: Offer courses to fit business demands

CEBU, Philippines - Former President and now Pampanga Second District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday said colleges and universities should open courses that fit the demands of business and industrial establishments here and abroad.

Speaking in yesterday’s 18th commencement exercise of the Indiana Aerospace University (IAU) in Lapu-lapu City, Arroyo cited the IAU as an example.

Owned by Dr. Jovenal Toring, the university gives employment to a number of its graduates.

Arroyo said her administration gave importance to education by allocating funds to provide scholarships.

She hopes that President Benigno Aquino will also give education primary importance.

The former president said thousands availed of the program implemented by the Commission on Higher Education and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

Arroyo recalled that she made unpopular decisions like tax increases, but it was meant to fund programs to improve education in the country.

She said these programs were designed to provide support for poor students to push through with their college education.

Through the program, Arroyo said students took technical courses that provided them extensive trainings and help them in their employment.

According to Arroyo, one of the problems encountered by the Philipine Air Lines and other airline companies are the lack of pilots and airline maintenance crew.

She said that well-trained pilots in the country are offered big salaries and compensation by airlines companies abroad.

The former president said that Indiana Aerospace University which is located at Mactan Island, Lapu-lapu City, Cebu is known to be the Asia’s biggest Aerospace University and she hopes that they can also provide more pilots and other graduates for the airline industry.

She also challenged Toring to offer courses that is in demand here and abroad.

She said the country lacks workers to repair elevators, for example, and hopes Toring will look into this.

Toring, in a separate interview, welcomes the suggestion of Arroyo.   (FREEMAN NEWS)