DATE:
August 14 - 18, 2023
VENUE:
Virtual Room, Zoom
ORGANIZERS:
Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC) and Don Bosco Tech ASEAN

Rationale

Entrepreneurship is a key driver of the economy. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) set-up by entrepreneurial persons are a major source of creation of wealth and jobs. Eventually these SMEs upgrade to large scale enterprise and thereby contribute significantly to the economic development of any country. An entrepreneurial career presents more opportunities to exercise creative freedom, higher self-esteem, and an overall greater sense of control to the entrepreneurs. As a result, many experienced business people, political leaders, economists, and educators believe that fostering a robust entrepreneurial culture will maximize individual and collective economic and social success on a local, national, and global scale.

Entrepreneurs have been referred to as the human agents needed “to mobilize capital to exploit natural resources, to create markets and to carry on trade” (Harbison and Myers). Joseph Schumpeter, the first major writer to highlight the human agent in the process of economic development, believed that the economy was propelled by the activities of persons “who wanted to promote new goods and new methods of production or to exploit a new source of materials or new market” not merely for profit but also for purpose of creating. Likewise, Arthur W Lewis contended that economic growth was bound to be slow unless there was an “adequate supply of entrepreneurs looking for new ideas and willing to take risks of introducing them”. It might well be said that the entrepreneurial inputs spell the difference between prosperity and poverty amongst nations.

The inadequacy of entrepreneurship is one of the inhibiting factors to accelerate the process of industrialization and economic development in a country. Indeed, the inactivity or scarcity of entrepreneurs has been seen in many Asia and Pacific countries as a major factor and hindrance to economic development. The presence of abundant natural resources, skilled and unskilled labor, and capital in the form of cash or technology has not proven itself sufficient to result in a flurry of enterprising zeal among the people. In our planning processes, we have been giving greater emphasis to physical and related aspects like material, technology, finance, infrastructure, etc., without paying due attention to the training and development of entrepreneurs who use and manage it.

Our Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET} systems have not fully given due consideration to the training of potential entrepreneurs in a structured way. Integrating entrepreneurship into the TVET sector and adopting it as a specific training discipline has still to gain ground although some of the countries have taken steps in this direction. However, these fragmented efforts for entrepreneurship development need integration and a holistic approach for producing effective and tangible results. In fact, the TVET system of any country represents the backbone of all industrial activity. The TVET policies and programs designed specifically for entrepreneurship promotion can greatly affect the growth of entrepreneurs and also contribute towards a higher form of entrepreneurship that is technically more superior. This view has important implications for TVET system planners and policymakers. There is an urgent need to make sincere efforts in this direction.

This capacity building on “Entrepreneurship Development as a TVET Goal” for the Don Bosco Tech ASEAN network aims to further the awareness of the participants on the relevance of entrepreneurship education in present times, the need to divert a significant chunk of TVET graduates from wage employment to entrepreneurial careers in developing countries in ASEAN. The program will also train the participants on initiating awareness and understanding on entrepreneurship development in TVET among the TVET graduates, on instilling high achievement motives amongst the graduates, and understanding the complete process of entrepreneurship. It is hoped that cross-fertilization of ideas will contribute to the body of knowledge on entrepreneurship, resulting in a change of mind of participants in this direction. Consequently, this will result in a better goal for TVET in establishing entrepreneurshipdevelopment programs among the Don Bosco ASEAN networks.

Objectives

At the end of the program, the participants will be able to:

  • Understand about entrepreneurship development in TVET,
  • Appreciate how strong institution-industry linkage can promote entrepreneurship,
  • Be aware of social and rural entrepreneurship,
  • Learn about the practices on entrepreneurship development in TVET in some countries in Asia, and
  • Prepare an action plan for initiating establishment of entrepreneurship development program in TVET schools/centers.

Expected Outcome

The participants are expected to be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and mindset required to become successful entrepreneurs and contribute actively to economic growth and social development. By understanding the significance of entrepreneurship in driving innovation and creating job opportunities, participants will be better prepared to address the challenges and opportunities of the dynamic and ever-changing global economy.

Program Strategies

To achieve the objectives set forth, the following strategies will be employed in a consultative nature:

  • Theme Papers & Presentations on the following:
    • Presentation 1: Understanding Entrepreneurship Development as a TVET Goal
    • Presentation 2: Excellence in TVET and Entrepreneurship as an Added Road to Academia
    • Presentation 3: Designing Entrepreneurship Development Program in TVET
    • Presentation 4: Social and Rural Entrepreneurship
    • Presentation 5: Experience Sharing on Best Practices on Entrepreneurship Development in TVET in Some Countries in Asia
  • Exercises and workshops on the following:
    1. GWA 1: TBC
    2. GWA 2: Situational Assessment: a diagnostic framework on collaboration between TVIs and industry as added route to entrepreneurship
    3. GWA 3: TBC
    4. GWA 4: Action Planning on Initiating Establishment of Entrepreneurship Development Program in TVET Schools
    5. Action Plan: Presentation by Participants

Date and Venue

The five-day customized program will be held online from August 14-18, 2023.

Program Management

Program Supervisor (CPSC) Prof. G. L. D. Wickramasinghe ([email protected]) is the first Sri Lankan and the 12th Director General of CPSC. He is also the concurrent President of Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC).

Prior to his appointment as the Director General, he was a professor at the Department of Textile and Clothing Technology, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka since 2015. Here also held key administrative posts during his career: as a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Vocational Technology (2016-2019), former Chairman of the Centre for Open and Distance Learning (CODL) of the University of Moratuwa (2015-2016), and former head of the Department of Textile and Clothing Technology (2009-2012).

He also served as the Chairman of Alethea International School (2017-2021), an independent non-executive Director of Orit Apparels Lanka Ltd. (2014-2016), and Sri Lanka Institute of Textile and Apparel (2010-2015). He also served as the Director of Technical and Quality Assurance of Brandix Textiles Ltd (2013-2014). He also served as chairman and member of various public sector strategic and technical committees.

He also published over 60 research publications on topics related to textile engineering and educational management, of which over 30 are international refereed journal publications.

He was honored with 18 national and international awards including Emerald Literary Award (2018), President's Award for Scientific Publications (2017), and NRC Merit Award for Scientific Publication (2016, 2011). The World Education Congress also honored him with the award for Outstanding Contribution to Education in “Sri Lanka Education Leadership Awards” in 2018.

Prof. Wickramasinghe is a graduate of a Bachelor of Science in Textile Engineering from the University of Moratuwa in 1993 by which he obtained first class honors. He finished his PhD at the University of Manchester in 2003. He also obtained a PG Certificate in Learning and Teaching, the University of Arts London, UK in 2006 and an MBA in the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka in 2008.

Program Co-Coordinator and Facilitator Engr. Dr. Mian Khuram Ahsan ([email protected]) is currently a Senior Faculty Specialist at the Colombo Plan Staff College. His specialization is on electrical engineering, works budget and execution, tendering, monitoring, and evaluation, database management, risk analysis, business development management, consultancy, and public administration management. Prior to CPSC, he was the Deputy Director of the National Vocational Training Commission (NAVTTC), under the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Islamabad, Pakistan. As Deputy Director he handled varied administrative and management roles and responsibilities in the commission, which include strategic planning and facilitation of professional training for TVET institutions in the country.

His teaching experiences include being an Assistant Professor in Electrical Engineering at GCT Nowshera, Director for Coordination and IT and Principal Staff Officer at KP-TEVTA, Chief Research and Development (R&D) and Deputy Director for Training at TE and MT Directorate. He also served as Electrical Engineer in Hydro Tech (PVT) Ltd. In Malakand III, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan and as a Consultant of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan.

Dr. Ahsan finished his Ph.D. in Power Electronics and Power Drives in 2019 in the School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Zhenjiang Jiangsu University in China, his Master of Project Management in 2014 in ABASYN University, Peshawar Pakistan and his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Degree in Peshawar College of Engineering at N.W.F.P. University of Engineering and Technology also in Peshawar Pakistan.

Resource Person Prof. Romulita C. Alto, EdD ([email protected]) is a CPSC Project-Based Faculty Consultant, Accreditor of APACC. She has been associated with CPSC since 1992 in various capacities. From 1992-1994, she was a Research Associate. From year 1997 to 2001, she was engaged in CPSC as Governing Board engaged Core Faculty Consultant and Chairperson of Consultancy and Marketing Division and Research and Development Division. Dr. Alto is the lead author of CPSC’s best-selling book – the Research in TVET Made Easy and was the lead reviewer of the APACC documents from 2013 to 2014.

She was also able to handle several high-profile assignments and projects in ADB, JICA, being an educator and international consultant for 62 years now. Dr. Alto earned her Doctorate Degree in Educational Administration in 1984, Master’s Degree in Teaching Chemistry in 1970, and Bachelor of Science Degree in Home Economics and Bachelor of Science in Education in 1961 all from the University of the Philippines. In addition, as an educator, Dr. Alto was a recipient of some awards in recognition of her outstanding performance such as the Outstanding Public School Teacher of the City of Manila in 1971, the Most Outstanding Natural Science Teacher of the Year in 1972, and the Outstanding Faculty of the Technological University of the Philippines in 2005. Among the scholarship grants she enjoyed are a Shell Philippines Chemistry Scholarship at the University of the Philippines; CDG- Gesellshaft scholarship at the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand on Remote Sensing Technology and Environmental Resources Management; Asia Foundation Scholarship on the Teaching of CBA Chemistry at the Ateneo University; and Teaching of Chemistry at RECSAM in Penang Malaysia to name a few.

Resource Person Dr. Suresh Kumar Dhameja ([email protected]) is a Professor in the Department of Entrepreneurship Development & Industrial Coordination (EDIC) at the National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research (NITTTR), Chandigarh, India, which has been established by the Ministry of Education, Government of India in collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Government in 1967. He has also held the positions of Dean (Academics and International Affairs); Head of Departments of EDIC and Information Management & Emerging Engineering (IMEE), Chairman of Academic Cell Member-Secretary of Academic Council, Member of Board of Governors, and Chief Vigilance Officer at NITTTR Chandigarh.

Professor Dhameja has done his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, MBA, and Ph.D. from premier universities in India. He started his career as a Faculty in Civil Engineering at NIT Kurukshetra (India) in 1985 and has a total work experience of 37 Years of teaching, training, and research. He also has 3 years of international experience as a Governing Board engaged Faculty Consultant at CPSC, the Philippines from 2005-08.

Dr. Dhameja has visited more than 27 countries (including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore) for conducting training programs and consultancy assignments. He has many honors and distinctions to his credit and has received letters of appreciation from many international dignitaries including Ambassadors, UN Under-Secretary-General, Director Generals, and Secretary Generals of many international organizations. Prof. Dhameja gave the final shape to the APACC accreditation process, prepared all manuals and initiated accreditation of TVET institutes in Asia Pacific Region. Dr. Dhameja is also on the panel of the National Board of Accreditation (India), National Assessment and Accreditation Council (India), All India Council for Technical Education, National Project Implementation Unit (India), and UNESCO.

Dr. Dhameja has done Consultancy and Research Projects for World Bank, UNESCO at the International level and Department of Industries, Department of Information Technology, and Small Industrial Development Bank of India at the National Level. Professor Dhameja has authored and Edited 22 books (Both International and National) in the disciplines of Environmental Engineering, Environmental Management, Entrepreneurship and has guided six Ph.D. and seven M. Tech students. One of his scholars who was working in ILO was awarded a Ph.D. degree in TVET by an American University. Dr. Dhameja has published more than 40 papers in international and national journals and presented more than 70 papers in international and national conferences.

In December 2017, Dr. Dhameja represented India in a UNESCO International Consultation Meeting on “Mainstreaming Entrepreneurship in Technical and Vocational Education and Training” in Chile (Latin America). Professor Dhameja is a Member of the Task Force on Women and Youth Entrepreneurship of UN-ESCAP Bangkok. He has visited Harvard and MIT Universities in the USA and Oxford University in the UK.

Resource Person Dr. Kesavan Ulaganathen ([email protected]) is a Governing Board Faculty Consultant in the Colombo Plan Staff College (CPSC). His academic expertise is in optical communication, industrial engineering, and instrumentation, satellite communication, wireless communication, computer-aided design for electronic design, semiconductor technology, digital communication, RF and Microwave technology.

He obtained his Ph.D. in Wireless Communication at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 2014, and his Master of Engineering degree in Electrical, Electronic, and Telecommunication in 2005 at the same university. He has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Electronics and Telecommunication) degree from the College University Institute of Tun Hussein Onn (KUITTHO), currently known as UTHM - Malaysia where he also obtained a post-graduate Diploma in Education in 1999. He also has a Certificate and Diploma in Electrical and Telecommunication Engineering from Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Polytechnic in Pahang, Malaysia.

He has an extensive teaching experience in higher technical education working as a lecturer at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Polytechnic (POLISAS), Kuantan, Pahang from 1999-2003; and as a lecturer plus training officer at Sultan Azlan Shah Polytechnic (PSAS), Tanjung Malim, Perak from 2005-2008. He was appointed as Senior Lecturer at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Polytechnic (POLISAS) from 2009-2016. He was posted as Head of the Department for Mathematical, Science, and Computer at Polytechnic Sandakan Sabah, in East Malaysia at Borneo Island from 2017-2021. His last position was as Principal Lecturer at Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Polytechnic (POLISAS), Kuantan. Pahang. Malaysia He has been involved in Higher Education Curriculum Development programs for Electrical Engineering courses, specifically in the optoelectronic field, in the Polytechnics system in Malaysia. He involves in consultation works as well, one of his areas is 5G network for Malaysia with Malaysian Communication Multimedia Commission. He has conducted training in the field of TVET Management and Implementation, Research and Publication, Accreditation training and auditing for the Malaysian Board of Technologies. He is also a member of the International Electrical and Electronic Engineering Society, Board of Engineers of Malaysia, Board of Technology of Malaysia, and Technology Association of Malaysia. He is also an accreditor for the Board of Technology Malaysia and Asia Pacific Accreditation Commission Certification.

He has over 25 research publications on electronics and telecommunications which were published in prestigious journals such as the Advanced Journal of Technical and Vocational Education, International Journal of Electronics, and Radio Engineering. He is also reviewer for some of the journals articles published by IEEE, PIERS, HINDAWI and others for international publications and conferences.

Program Schedule