P9.8-M ICA building to rise in 2017

By Renalyn Padoginog and Ritchelle Mae Agustin

A ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the Php 9.8 million Institute of Computer Applications (ICA) building was held on August 4.

The ICA, one of the five departments of the College of Engineering, has been home to the BS Information Technology (BSIT) program since its creation in 2005. The number of enrollees has also increased each year, with an estimated number of 400 students enrolled this semester.

On top of this, ICA is also a service hub for all colleges offering IT subjects and other related fields. This has prompted the college to push for the construction of a separate ICA building as one of their top priority projects this year. The building is intended as a venue for several multiple-platform trainings. It will also house high-end computer hardware for students’ use.

The Phase I project costs Php 9,783, 722.95 and will be completed within 168 calendar days, specifically on January 15, 2017. The two-storey building shall have three computer laboratories (one each for networking, software engineering, and computer programming), a server room, classroom, faculty office, and conference room.

Funding was taken from the Special Development Fee that IT students pay for Php 2,500 per semester and the Laboratory fee costing Php 600 per laboratory subject.

“This facility is helpful to the students especially that we wanted to give the best training for our students so they can compete to the rising trend of globalization,” said Prof. Jinky G. Marcelo, ICA Director.

The ground-breaking ceremony was graced by Dr. Maria Luisa R. Soliven, University President; Dr. Judith D. Intong, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Ricardo G. Villar, Vice President for Administration;  administrative officials, faculty, staff, and students.