For the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began more than two years ago, the Colombo Plan Staff College successfully implemented its face-to-face Regional Program in collaboration with Toyota Motors School of Technology (TMPTech). The program was held physically in TMPTech’s headquarters in Santa Rosa CIty, Laguna, from August 8-12, 2022.

A total of 20 automotive instructors from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Fiji, India, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand participated in the program.

First conducted in 2021, this program aims to close the gap between the previous teaching and learning processes on auto mechanics training and the availability of auto-mechanic training opportunities in Asia. TMPTech, as CPSC’s reliable partner, stepped in to provide the training modalities, ensuring that the participants adopt modern teaching and learning practices in automotive with the hope of them replicating these lessons in their local context. In addition, it is highly expected that this collaborative training program will also strengthen training management systems in TVET institutions in Asia and the Pacific region especially in the automotive area.

The program was supervised by Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe, CPSC Director General and Dr. David T. Go, President of Toyota Motors Philippines. Coordinating the program is Engr. Ronald Gaspar, Assistant Vice President of Operations at Toyota Motors Philippines Foundation. He is also supported by the Training and Development Division of CPSC led by the chairperson and CPSC faculty consultant, Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen and the training officer, Mr. Vergel dela Paz.

Chief guests of the opening ceremony (Left to Right): Engr. Ronald T. Gaspar, Assistant Vice President for Operations, Toyota Motors Philippines Foundation; Prof. G.L.D. Wickramasinghe, CPSC Director General; H.E. Imtiaz Ahmad Kazi, Ambassador of Pakistan to the Philippines, and Mr. David T. Go, President of Toyota Motors Philippines, Inc.

The opening ceremony of the program was held on August 8, 2022 and invited all participants, CPSC staff members, TMPTech staff members and notable guests including the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Philippines, H.E. Imtiaz Ahmad Kazi.

In his opening speech, Prof. Wickramasinghe thanked TMPTech for making the program a reality despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. He also emphasized the need for trainers to continually upgrade their competencies in light of the changing demands of the industry, and presented this training as an opportunity for the representatives to be exposed to updated industry practices.

His sentiments were echoed by Dr. Go, who mentioned that the program is in-line with the vision of TMPTech to be a global training center for automotive technology. Meanwhile, H.E. Kazi expressed his support to the program and reiterated Pakistan’s continued commitment to CPSC’s endeavors. He also praised Toyota’s reliability as a trusted brand and hopes that the participants will appreciate the benefits of the training.

During the five-day workshop and classroom activities, the participants were able to be exposed in the following topics:

  • Diesel Engine Management (e.g. Injection pumps (Injection pump cut-away model, EFI diesel injector tester, Global Techstream(GTS) diagnosis equipment, Diesel EFI simulator, Diesel fuel, Diesel engine equipped vehicles)
  • Gasoline Engine Management (Lexus/Vios unit, GTS Diagnosis equipment, Electronic Manuals, Engine Simulators)
  • Diagnose and Repair ECT (2NZ-FE simulator equipped with ECT, GTS Diagnosis equipment, Repair Manuals for Vios and Lexus units, Lexus unit (Model: ES350), Electronically Controlled Transmissions, Automatic Transmission Fluid)
  • Diagnose and Repair CVT (Simulator, Vios/Altis unit equipped with CVT, Repair Manuals)
  • Toyota Hybrid Systems (Prius unit, Training Manual, Hybrid Simulator).

Prof. Wickramasinghe, CPSC Director General
H.E. Imtiaz Ahmad Kazi, Ambassador of Pakistan to the Philippines

Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen, CPSC Faculty Consultant
Engr. Ronald Gaspar, Program Coordinator

Pictures of the participants during the training days

The closing ceremony was held on August 12, 2022 and was attended by all participants. Key guests invited include the Academic Coordinator of TMPTech, Mr. Luis VIlla and the Executive Officer of TMPTech Mr. Jose Maria A. Aligada. They summarized the events during the training, as well as the lessons learned. Finally, the program was closed by Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen, CPSC Faculty Consultant. He expressed his appreciation to all the stakeholders involved in the program. He also thanked everyone involved in the program on behalf of Prof. Wickramasinghe, who was currently abroad for another engagement.

The participants also had the opportunity to visit some of the key tourist attractions in the area including Tagaytay City, Santa Rosa City and Metro Manila. They were also immersed in the host country’s culture, cuisine and traditions as CPSC and TMPTech ensured that they would be able to maximize their training experience in the Philippines.

The participants in RIzal Park, Manila, during the cultural tour of Manila.

The participants with the Toyota and CPSC Faculty and Staff.

The participants at Tagaytay City.

Participants’ Responses

Mr. Josaiah Tukagsau Sumasaru (Fiji)
“I appreciated that CPSC made it possible for other 11 nationalities to come in contact with each other and be trained on the modern technologies of Toyota. I came from a faraway nation and in order for us to be self-sufficient I have to be in this program and pick your brains so that I will be well-equipped to bring Fiji up to the standards that I have seen in this program. I hope that this one-week friendship will not end here. We are hoping that this will continue after the program and for CPSC to invite us again”.
Mr. Sonam Yeshey Tshering (Bhutan)
“For the past few days, I feel that we are all one family because of the way that we were accommodated. I will always remember the kindness and warmness, as well as the sightseeing sessions and the modern amenities and infrastructure of our training school. I say that TMPTech is the best technical school I have seen so far. We thank CPSC for organizing the program and for the guidance and support. We thank all organizers for coming up with innovative programs that MCs can share and learn together. We intend to take the lessons to our own country and we hope to introduce innovative ideas there”.
Mr. Solomon Chi Keen Young (Singapore)
“For the past five days, we have been well taken care of by TMPTECH and CPSC. The training is excellent, the classrooms and facilities are of very good quality and it is very conducive for training. It is also good that next to the classroom is the workbase where we can enjoy both the theory and practical sessions. Very good worksheets were also provided. During the opening ceremony, the ambassador said that we are lucky to be here. Indeed, we are lucky”.