Of standards and certifications
by Blogie • 22 February 2007
During last Tuesday’s Techno Kapehan at DTI-XI, we had guests over from the Philippine National IT Standards Foundation (PhilNITS) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and they brought with them some very encouraging news. I shall write in more detail about the program that they’re putting together with DTI, but in a nutshell, the PhilNITS IT engineers’ exams is coming back to Davao!
Formerly known as the JITSE Exams, they used to be offered here from 2002 to 2004, but they were not well-promoted, and nobody passed out of the almost 50 who took the exams. [More data available at PhilNITS.org.] Suffice it to say that it’s an awfully difficult certification. According to one of my esteemed colleagues, who was able to peruse a sampling of the review materials, the coverage of the exams is very academic. And according to a Japanese friend of mine (who is certified), only very few do make it due to the level of difficulty. PhilNITS President Maricor Akol, during the Kapehan, revealed that each year only around 10% of examinees pass the exams.
Rad Basa of Innovus Solutions, who is a passer and assists PhilNITS in conducting reviews, relates that the exams are heavy in algorithm, problem-solving, program design. Fundamentals, Dr. Watson, fundamentals!
The two exams that PhilNITS is carrying are: Software Development & Design Engineer Examination (SW), and Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination (FE). These exams are formulated in Japan and translated into English for our benefit.
The upside is, PhilNITS certified IT professionals are in very high demand by blue-chip technology companies in Japan. Employment is guaranteed those who achieve certification. But the downside is, the proverbial brain drain. Not entirely true…. But I shall reserve that for another post.
PhilNITS, being a standards organization, is bringing the exams back to Davao in order to increase the city’s chances of coming into the focus of big IT players. Not only as a source of skilled IT professionals, but also as an investment destination. Once we have a critical mass of PhilNITS exams takers (and passers!), we will definitely be in a better position to attract foreign IT investments. PhilNITS is a non-profit, non-governmental organization — they do not make money out of the exams (which cost P1,500 for FE and P3,000 for SW).
From now on, I will keep an eye on the developments of PhilNITS’ presence in Davao. As I’ve mentioned, the foundation is partnering with DTI-XI, and I shall report on that as well in the coming weeks.
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