Manila, Philippines – November 9, 2024
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) hosted the ECOVIP Quality Assurance Workshop from November 6 to 9, 2024, bringing together partners from across Europe and Southeast Asia. European partners participated online, while Vietnamese and Filipino stakeholders attended the event in person at PUP's Sta. Mesa Campus, showcasing a hybrid model of global collaboration.
The workshop, held as part of the ECOVIP Erasmus+ initiative, aimed to evaluate the quality and impact of student development activities and ecotourism initiatives conducted by the project's partner institutions. Over three days, attendees exchanged insights and ideas through presentations, working sessions, and site visits.
A Focus on Quality and Innovation
The event opened with a warm welcome from Ann Clarisse M. De Leon of PUP, setting the tone for a productive series of discussions. The University of San Carlos, led by WP10 Leader Fritz Abad, facilitated quality feedback presentations and evaluation sessions that highlighted successes and identified areas for improvement.
Key sessions included:
- Online Course Evaluations: Detailed analysis of methodologies and participant feedback from online courses.
- ECOVIP Competition Review: Discussions on lessons learned from the student competition.
- Mentoring and Bootcamp Assessments: Focused sessions to refine the mentoring framework and optimize future bootcamp activities.
Strengthening International Partnerships
The hybrid nature of the workshop underscored ECOVIP's commitment to inclusive participation. European partners actively contributed insights remotely, while face-to-face interactions among Filipino and Vietnamese attendees fostered deeper regional ties.
A highlight of the event was a visit to PUP's EcoHub, where participants explored sustainable practices and business concepts. On the final day, an optional tour to Lake Pandin, an ecotourism site inspired by PUP students' winning business concept, offered attendees a firsthand look at local eco-initiatives.
Building on Success
The workshop concluded with the formulation of recommendations to enhance future activities and ensure the sustainability of ECOVIP's initiatives. Discussions on proposed changes to course content, competition structure, and mentoring programs will guide the project's next phase.
*Developed by ChatGPT
*Edited by Kaya Valila
