Cebu Technological Univ. Receives $1.8 Million Robotics Lab From Hitachi GST

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies announced the expansion of its knowledge and skills enhancement initiative in the Philippines called the Integrated University Program with the launch of its regional laboratory center at Cebu Technological University (CTU) Main Campus.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, DOST Secretary Dr. Estrella Alabastro, PEZA Director General Atty. Lilia de Lima and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Nona Ricafort were present to witness the turnover of laboratory facilities to CTU – Hitachi’s latest recipient.

Launched in 2008, the Integrated University Program is the result of an alliance between key local universities and Hitachi GST Philippines’ Laguna-based facility to provide scholarships, research grants, sponsorships, laboratory donations and on-the-job training (OJT) to both students and faculty members. This program signifies the company’s commitment to build local hard disk drive technology and manufacturing capabilities in the country, as well as nurture and develop essential skills associated with the industry. The program had initially focused on Manila until CHED and Hitachi GST agreed to mount a wider regional initiative to benefit more schools at the national level. The launch at CTU marks the start of this program extension.

“We have recommended the set up of seven labs in public institutions strategically located nationwide to enable other schools within the region to share in the use of the laboratory facilities. This way, we are increasing coverage of the program to help more students and faculty around the country,” says CHED Commissioner Ricafort.

A key element of the program is a donation from Hitachi GST laboratories consisting of cutting-edge equipment. The first recipients in 2008 were Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) and the University of the Philippines (UP). The laboratory donation focuses on robotics (multi-axis robots, precision stages, servo motor control and vision systems) and metrology (interferometry, microscopy and measurement). Other university recipients from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will receive similar laboratory donations.

Under the program, scholars, research grantees and on-the-job trainees are chosen every year. Grants and scholarships focus on academic disciplines in engineering (mechanical, electrical, chemical and industrial), the sciences (chemistry, physics, materials and computer science) and statistics. The initial six beneficiary universities included AdMU, De La Salle University (DLSU), Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT), Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), UP and University of Santo Tomas (UST).

OJT students are trained to work with state-of-the-art robotics, metrology and design resources at the Hitachi GST facility in Laguna. Faculty research grants fund the study of subjects concerning the environment, including hazardous waste treatment, power efficiency and water utilization.

The Hitachi GST facility in Laguna plays a key role in converting high density silicon wafers into magnetic recording heads that are used to read and write data stored on a hard drive. Magnetic head technology advancements allow hard drive suppliers to continue making improvements in the areas of power consumption, shock tolerance and overall storage capacity.

“Hitachi is impressed by the highly skilled workforce in the Philippines. Through the Integrated University Program, we like to think that we are helping to develop the tremendous potential of these future scientists and engineers,” said Dr. Tuan Tran, vice president, Worldwide Head Operations, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies.

The Integrated University Program closely aligns with the Philippine government’s vision of enhancing industrial and economic development. This includes employment generation in the fields of materials science, chemicals and minerals, electronics and process control, fuels and energy, microbiology and genetics and the environment.

“We fully support the Philippine government’s vision of a more dynamic industrial and economic foundation. This is why we have committed our Laguna facility to develop and produce complex hard drive technology,” added Dr. Tran.

Hitachi GST currently employs more than 5,000 people at its Laguna facility. It has won five awards from the Export Development Council of the Philippines.