Innovative Technology and Management Journal

AN INQUIRY INTO THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LINK BETWEEN PHILIPPINE INDUSTRIAL POLICY AND THE HIGH SCHOOL STEM TRACK

2024-05-07T16:21:48+08:00

This paper is an initial attempt to emphasize the imperative of the link between the country's industrial policy and the secondary education's Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics or STEM track as necessary for Philippine economic development. Such interconnection reveals why there is a job-skills mismatch between STEM track graduates and actual industry needs. This study utilized comparative content analysis of curricula by juxtaposing the country's high school STEM track with those of industrialized and economically developed countries (e.g. South Korea, India, Japan) secondary education curricula. Initial results show that the secondary education curricula in more developed countries embed actual theoretical and practical skills as required per sector (e.g. in South Korea's curriculum, there is a foundational course on Industrial Chemistry and a practical course on Chemical Materials Management, Maintenance and Operation of Chemical Processes, Plastic Products Manufacturing, etc. for those who want to specialize in Chemical Engineering) as compared with the Philippines' high school STEM curriculum which is relatively broad and not sector- or industry-specific. Also, industrialized countries' secondary education curricula are more advanced in terms of topical coverage and competencies (e.g. a stand-alone subject on artificial intelligence in the curriculum of India), making Filipino STEM track graduates below par. This comparative conceptual exploration will provide policy recommendations on how the Philippines' high school STEM curricula can be improved as well as other related policy insights that link education with economic development.

Reflectance Properties of Silver Thin Film Synthesized via RF Magnetron Sputtering

2025-03-03T12:48:01+08:00

Nano film materials have now become one of the most interesting areas for research explorations and technological applications due to its unique properties that varied significantly when deposited in different conditions. One of the leading materials with very interesting use in photovoltaic devices, electrochemical applications, optical coatings, and medical applications is silver (Ag). Thus, this study is carried out to investigate the reflectance property of silver nano film. The films are synthesized in a silicon (Si) wafer substrate using radio frequency magnetron sputtering device deposited under 300 °C and 500 °C substrate temperature. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) result revealed the existence of silver crystals in all samples. UV-vis spectrophotometer was used to analyze the optical properties of the silver nano film sample. Correspondingly, the grown silver nano film at 500 °C has a solar reflectance (R_sol) of 65.16%, which indicates the sample’s remarkable ability to reflect solar energy. Additionally, the sample’s reflectance in the ultraviolet (R_UV), visible (R_lum), and infrared (R_IR) spectra are 61.35%, 75.53%, and 49.48 %, respectively. These results indicate that the prepared sample has better reflectance properties compared to the Ag film synthesized 300 °C substrate temperature.

Synthesis of Highly Pure and Hydrophilic Metal-Nitride Thin Films Using Reactive High-Frequency Magnetron Sputtering

2025-03-03T12:58:47+08:00

The increasingly widespread innovation of nanotechnology significantly affects our society, especially its contribution to economies. Nanosized metal nitrides possess interesting properties (e.g., highly corrosive resistant, good electrical properties, great metallic conductivity, etc.) that are capitalized, resulting in numerous applications. The thin film preparation procedure is an important step that determines the film's characteristics, such as crystallographic orientation. Hence, this study pursues the synthesis of metal-nitride thin films and characterizes their properties for future possible applications. Vanadium nitride (VN) and aluminum nitride (AlN) were synthesized and deposited on silicon substrates via high-frequency magnetron sputtering. The crystalline structure of the thin films was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the wettability was determined using static contact angle measurement. Accordingly, the (311) phase of vanadium nitride and the (100) and (004) phases of aluminum nitride were observed with no impurities. Meanwhile, the static water contact angle indicated a hydrophilic property in both thin-film samples, as the values were observed to be less than 90°.

Development of a Small Capacity Coconut Charcoal-Fired Peanut Roasting Machine and Performance Evaluation Using a Smartphone-Based Colorimeter Application

2025-03-03T13:08:23+08:00

This study aimed to design and develop a compact coconut charcoal-fired peanut roasting machine with a 2-kg capacity, investigating the correlation between the roasting chamber temperature and peanut product output through linear regression analysis and correlation. The main components of the designed and developed peanut roasting machine include the frame, heating chamber, roasting chamber, furnace, and driving mechanism. The machine's dimensions are 480 mm x 330 mm x 380 mm, with a furnace capacity of at least 1 kilogram of coconut charcoal. A low-speed motor was employed to drive the roasting chamber.

To assess the Maillard browning reaction resulting from the roasting process, a smartphone-based colorimeter application was utilized to measure the CIE L* ideal roasting color. The analysis indicated that as roasting time increased, the roasting chamber temperature also increased at a rate of 1.320, while the CIE L* decreased at a rate of 1.170. Pearson's correlation analysis demonstrated a strong negative correlation between chamber temperature and CIE L*, with an r-value of 94.71% and statistical significance at p = 0.0073. Additionally, when plotting the trends of chamber temperature and CIE L*, the intersection point was observed at 21.8 minutes, indicating that the optimal roasting chamber temperature for the highest rate of temperature increase and CIE L* decrease is 134°C. The developed peanut roaster can roast 2 kg of skinless peanut using 1 kg of coco-shell charcoal and achieve the best roasting color in 22 minutes at 134^oC.

Job Level Position and Academic Competencies: A Tracer Study of Engineering Graduates in Biliran Province State University

2025-03-18T08:45:17+08:00

This study answers the lack of research on the relevance of academic-acquired competencies and job level positions among the graduates of Biliran Province State University (BIPSU). To analyze the employability of BIPSU engineering graduates, a descriptive research method was used. Chi-square statistics was also utilized to assess the relationship between academic-acquired competencies and the graduates' first job occupations. A combination of convenience and purposive sampling methods were applied to collect the required responses. There are a total of 281 respondents who participated in the survey, from a population of 483 engineering graduates from academic years 2006 to 2021. Data collection was carried out by the respondents by answering the fielded Graduate Tracer Survey (GTS) instrument via Google Forms, adapted from the standard GTS instrument from the Commission of Higher Education (CHED).

This study revealed that most BIPSU engineering graduates are now employed in regular or permanent positions. They are primarily in locally-based construction firms and majority of them hold positions which are under professional, technical, or supervisory levels. The chi-square test results indicated that graduates perceived critical thinking and communication skills as the most relevant academic-acquired skill to their initial job positions. A policy was proposed to better align the university’s curriculum with the local job market. It is also recommended that BIPSU develop programs, offer training, and organize activities to enhance its curriculum, with a focus on critical thinking and communication skills, which are crucial for acquiring employment.