BAGUIO CITY (July 27, 2007)--The University of the Cordilleras (UC) this week vowed to intensify its recruitment of potential students availing of the employment-for-grades program called the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP). UC President Dr. Jaime M. Buzar said the implementation of ETEEAP is a social responsibility of the University to empower undergraduate yet qualified professionals to acquire academic credentials and diplomas without neglecting their present employment.
He said the program provides an opportunity to undergraduate professionals to complete their college education by converting their experience in their areas of expertise into academic units, thus allowing them greater chances of career advancement and promotion.
ETEEAP is an educational assessment scheme which recognizes knowledge, skills, and prior learning obtained by individuals from non-formal and informal experiences and converts the same into academic units. An individual may be granted a diploma after passing competency-based evaluations and comprehensive assessment systems using written tests, interviews, skills demonstration, and other creative assessment methodologies.
UC Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Cleofas Basaen, explained that aside from accrediting and assessing prior non-formal or informal learning, the program also aims to provide flexible entry and exchange between non-formal education and formal systems of higher learning.
She said the program is open to candidates who are at least 22 years old at the time of application, at least a High School graduate, of good moral character, employed for at least five years in the field or industry related to the course being applied for, and is willing to show evidence of capability and thorough knowledge in his or her chosen field.
The University of the Cordilleras started implementing its ETEEAP program in 2003, graduating self-employed professionals and practitioners in the fields of media, business, police, and government service.
