“How did I Become CITEnian?”

“How does it feel to be a graduate of the Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)?”
I graduated high school way back 2004. It was my pleasure to receive an scholarship grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as an aid for my college education, which prompted me to enroll Information Technology at the Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT). But, before finishing the DOST-SEI Summer Orientation and Enhancement Program (SOEP); I met a CITE Electronics Department Head – who happened to be my SOEP trainer for Analytic Geometry and Trigonometry. His name is Engr. Jose Roland M. Flores. I love the subjects he taught, and I like the way he teach. He is the one I considered the most influential person who encouraged me to enroll at CITE. He referred me to the CITE scholarship coordinator named, Mr. June Capuyan. I talked to him about the school and I was informed that there was still a single slot for the CITE Electronics batch fourteen. I’ve heard a lot about the school when I was still in high school but never tried to google it until the last day of the month-long SOEP training. I googled CITE website and finally realized the importance of its mission to the out-of-school youth. It was five years ago when I really need to make the best choice. I consulted my friends and family – Why not I try studying at CITE? Though I was hesitant to cancel my enrollment at Cebu Institure of Technology, I managed to decide in withdrawing my enrollment.

I rushed to CITE scholarship coordinator informing him that I already made a decision – I am going to enrol at CITE! It was Friday when I took the entrance exam, and my application for the ITP program was processed and I was informed that by Monday, I am going to report at CITE since it was a Scholars Day – we’re presented to the CITE Board of Trustees. Though it was unfair for other CITE applicants that I did not have any summer training (CITE called it as Summer Training and Orientation Program or STOP) but I knew that my school mates will not think about it as favoritism since I already have had a DOST-SOEP.

The classes had started. I belonged to the batch fourteen of CITE Industrial Technician Program major in Industrial Electronics. Though it was my first time to be in college, but I observed something unique about the school. Everything was organized. From classrooms, laboratories, chapel, canteen, etc. You might be thinking what I meant to say? Well, let me ask you a question… Where can you find a school who conduct Eucharistic Mass EVERYDAY? CITE actively promotes values formation among students, faculties, and staff through scheduled confessions, retreat, spiritual gatherings, etc. Honestly, I experienced this things only at CITE. I was able to talk to the priests about my personal problems. I was able to talk to my mentor regarding academics and personal matters – and yes, though I haven’t experience it but there are some tutors or mentors who happened to share their blessings with the needy students. This is unique in a certain institution, right?

If we will talk about academics, isn’t it amazing that all students must have a General Weighted Average (GWA) of 2.5? The highest grade for every subject at CITE is 1.0. If you happened to have a GWA of greater than 2.5 or even 3.0, you are going to be on the list of students under probationary status. And it’s not good to be on that list. What I also appreciate on my Alma Mater is the technical training. Every students will be trained technically to equip them with the necessary skills when they are already going to have their Dual-Training-System (DTS) or eventually when employed in the industry. Talking about DTS, it’s the training scheme adopted by CITE which comprises of an in-plant and in-school training. After finishing the first three semesters of the 3-year ITP Program, the students will be placed in the company for in-plant training. The in-plant training will last for another three semesters. So it’s definitely keeping the students to be job oriented. The students will render a 5-day work in the company and will report to the school for one day, since there are still academic subjects taken besides of the DTS. In my case, I was placed in Lexmark International Philippines, Inc. (LIPI) where I was assigned under the Equipment Engineering department. What is good about this training scheme is the win-win strategy between the student and CITE. The student will receive an allowance from the company and a certain percentage will be shared to CITE as part of payments for the cost of training.

The actual cost of training at CITE during our time was Php 90,000 for the entire 3-year program. But CITE has the Study-Now-Sponsor-a-Scholar-Later Program (SNSSLP), which will actually helps the students shoulder the cost. In my case, 30% of the cost will be paid by the CITE Thrust Fund, 30% will be paid by the scholarship grantor (DOST for me), another 30% will be for the DTS company, and 10% for the parent’s share. I contributed Php 3,000 per year for the parent’s share, more or less Php 27,000 paid by the Thrust Fund, more or less Php 27,000 paid by the DOST, and more or less Php 27,000 paid by LIPI. I’ve just paid around Php 6,200 when I claimed my credentials after graduating in the ITP program.

My memories during my stay at the Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise has a lot of fun. I made this blog since I know that there are some students out there who are still on making the right choice on selecting the best school. I was not paid by this school or received any compensation in promoting the school. I am just spreading the good news about the school based on my experience. Long live CITE!

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