Text by Jennifer Manongdo
Photo by Joseph Bautista
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is set to roll out a new set of certificate programs designed to support health sciences courses in the country. UP Manila has partnered with TESDA to develop the modules for autopsy technical support, advanced cadaver care for human anatomy courses, and technical support for simulation-based health sciences education.
The University of the Philippines (UP) Manila is working with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) in upcoming certificate programs that will support courses offered by health sciences schools.
UP Manila experts are coordinating with TESDA counterparts for the creation of the academic modules of new Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) courses on autopsy technical support, advanced cadaver care for human anatomy courses, and technical support for simulation-based health sciences education. There is a growing need for trained technicians in autopsy, embalming for academic purposes, and simulation-based education as medical colleges in the country continue to increase.
The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) recently approved 22 new medical schools following Republic Act 11509 or the Doktor Para sa Bayan Act which provides a Medical Scholarship and Return Service (MSRS) program for deserving students.
Anatomy is a basic subject for health sciences courses including medicine, nursing, physical therapy, and dentistry. Medical schools are equipped with anatomy laboratories that allow students to dissect and learn from cadavers. Proper handling and preservation of the cadavers are imperative in these laboratories. At the same time, simulation-based education technicians are needed to ensure the proper functioning of equipment and simulation mannequins in the clinical simulation laboratories.
The TVET academic modules will serve as the basis for the systematic training, evaluation, and certification of students taking the new courses. These courses are for students who have finished K-12 education and other individuals who are interested in entering the highly competitive field of academic technical support here and abroad.#