Enhancing design technology education in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - National University (NU) recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Autodesk Asia Pte. Ltd. (Autodesk) to enhance students’ digital design literacy skills and prepare an industry ready workforce.

Through this MOU, Autodesk will offer NU free access to academic licenses of its broad portfolio of professional 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software schools via the Autodesk Academic Resource Center for use in NU classrooms and labs.

 Autodesk will support NU to update existing, and develop new, rigorous and industry-relevant curricula to prepare students for future academic and career success such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), Digital Prototyping (DP), and Digital Entertainment Creation (DEC).

Students will also be able to take advantage of rich learning resources from Autodesk such as downloadable instructional videos, tutorials, and presentations to help them better understand and explore these industry-grade tools, techniques and workflows. Autodesk and NU will co-conduct academic, conceptual and/or product training in Autodesk software to instructors and  students of relevant NU Faculties.

Moreso, Autodesk and NU will encourage students to participate in national design competitions organized by Autodesk to showcase their design skills and interact with their peers around the world. With this extensive software and support provided by Autodesk, NU feels equipped and ready to offer an Entertainment and Multimedia Curriculum and a continuous training through Autodesk Certification Program for students to be eligible and productive in their work.

Signatories to the MOU from the NU camp were the University president, Teodoro Ocampo; executive vice-president, Renato Carlos Ermita Jr.; and the dean of the College of Architecture, Dr. Chona Ponce. Their counterparts from Autodesk were country manager in the Philippines, Teddy D. Tiu, and Autodesk seniorprogram manager for education in ASEAN,Mr. Conway Goh.

The MOU serves as a three-year contract between the two parties, however NU president,Ocampo shared that,“We are excited about our partnership and look forward for a long term association with Autodesk in increasing the students’ capability in creating designs which are globally marketable.”

While Teddy D. Tiu, Autodesk Philippines country manager shared that, “Through this partnership Autodesk seeks to advance the learning environment in Philippines by offering the latest and best design and engineering software to students. Autodesk is committed in supporting the next generation of Filipino architects, engineers, designers and artists by equipping them with professional skills, training programs and making them industry ready.”