Ceramic Engineering students and faculty flocked to the MSU-IIT Gymnasium on November 22, 2022 to witness the displays, events, and research exhibitions spearheaded by the Technology Application and Promotion Unit (TAPU) of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE) in celebration of the Ceramic Training Center’s (CTC) 50th anniversary. Anchored on the theme “Ceramic Training Center @ 50 – Up, Rising to the Challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution Through Ingenuity, Innovation and Creativity,” this four-day celebration involved partner agencies, industries, and institutions all over the Philippines.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Chancellor, Prof. Alizedney M. Ditucalan, together with the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development, Prof. Pamela F. Resurreccion; Vice Chancellor for Student Services, Prof. Rohane M. Derogongan; Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, Dr. Gaudencio C. Petalcorin Jr.; and Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Maria Sheila K. Ramos.

The program commenced with an invocation and the singing of the national anthem, followed by the opening remarks of Lilian T. Valencia, the overall chair of the 50th CTC anniversary and head of the TAPU.

In his message, Chancellor Ditucalan congratulated the CTC for enduring the challenges of time, stating that it has survived because it was able to adapt to disruptive technology and integrate into other technologies. “It evolved, and that’s how I see [the] Ceramic [Training] Center in the coming years: to further evolve as part of disruptive engineering.” The chancellor also reaffirmed his intention to further strengthen the university’s collaboration with its partners in industry as one of the aspirations in their Vision 2032.

Former coordinator of CTC and TAPU Head, Prof. Ephraim E. Ibarra, emphasized the importance of ceramic engineering and highlighted its interventions in agriculture, disaster management, energy harvesting, ocean and marine ecosystems, and waste management.

Dr. Petalcorin Jr. delivered his inspirational message, after which the ribbon-cutting ceremony and exhibit viewing took place, with an open house that showcased the CTC’s newly acquired kiln and other facilities to the public.

The series of activities in the event consisted of symposia, which featured lectures from invited speakers and faculty members, as well as exhibitions from different representatives of corporations: Philippine Manufacturing Co. of Murata, Inc., Holcim Philippines, Hocheng Philippines Corporation, Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, TECDIA Cebu, Inc., and Guill-Bern Corporation. Such exhibitions were also participated by the university’s own Ceramic Training Center, Ceramic Researches for Engineering, Advanced Technology, and Environment (CREATE), Ceramic Engineering Society (CERES), Department of Materials and Resources Engineering and Technology (DMRET), BS Ceramic Engineering On-the-Job Trainees and Thesis Students, and the Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics (PRISM) Nanoscience Group.

Christine Lico, a third-year BS Ceramics Engineering student, found the experience transformative and enabled her to see the many career opportunities in her chosen program. “Ceramics engineering is not only limited to ‘kaang’ or pottery—it’s more than those descriptions. Based on the lecture series, ceramic engineering deals with using cheaper raw materials and creating immense innovations relevant to the problems our world is facing today.”

The four-day event concluded with a workshop led by master potter John Eusebio held at the CTC grounds, which aimed at developing the skills needed by students in this course—an avenue where they learned hands-on the art of pottery. “This is a great opportunity conducted by the Ceramic Training Center, because throwing is not part of our curriculum; so we are happy because we were able to try and hone the skills necessary for us, ceramic students, to be proficient in clay-throwing,” third-year BS Ceramic Engineering student, Maria Elisa Refugio, told Silahis.

These activities showcase the achievements and milestones of the CTC, its contribution to the industrial and socio-economic development of Mindanao, and the promotion of the ceramic industry in the Philippines.

Report by Jomarie Sanchez
Photos by Fervin Retardo

Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology