MANILA, Philippines — Sultan Kudarat State University (SKSU) in southern Mindanao has once again qualified for the national competition of the Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Philippines set this month.

With its competition entry Access Campus Team, SKSU qualified based on its projects aimed at empowering their stakeholders in applying business and economic concepts and an entrepreneurial approach to improve the quality of life and standard of living.

This gives SKSU another shot at representing the country in the SIFE World Cup 2011 edition in Los Angeles, California, USA. The SKSU was also SIFE national champion in 2004 and 2005, and a runner up in the 2007, 2008 and 2009 national championships.

With its campus situated in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat, the SKSU has been actively participating in the SIFE nationals and was in fact the Philippine representative to the 2005 SIFE World Cup held in Germany.

SIFE is a global network of students from over 1,400 colleges and universities in 44 countries around the world. Founded in 1975, SIFE has grown to become one of the largest university-based organizations in the world today. SIFE teams are active in more than 40 countries.

Villar Foundation envisions a university town

Inspired by national hero Jose Rizal’s work and passion for education, the Villar Foundation is advocating the construction of a university town that will offer accessible education particularly to south Manila-based families.

The foundation recently put up a life-sized sculpture of the national hero called “Rizal: Empowering the Youth.” The statue, made by renowned Russian artist Gregory Pototsky, depicts Rizal in a jubilant pose, emphasizing the vibrancy of his vision for the Filipino youth and the importance of education in the attainment of his goals for the country. It will also be the grand centerpiece of the university community.

Villar Foundation managing director Cynthia Villar said it would be fitting to honor the legacy of the national hero by launching a project that aptly extols Rizal’s passion and love for higher learning.

When completed, the University Town would entice students and academic institutions from Las Pinas, Paranaque, Muntinlupa, other Metro Manila areas, Cavite and Laguna to stay in a collegial place conducive to learning and training. This will be complemented by a green landscape and accentuated by decade-old trees and unique building architecture.

The University Town will also have gymnasiums, auditoriums, sports facilities as well as commercial establishments and service-related centers.

QC school leads effective K+12 implementation

The Rosa Sosano Elementary School (RSES) in Novaliches, Quezon city is leading the effective implementation of the K+12, the country’s new basic education curriculum which adds additional two years in high school.

Dr. Elvira Dumlao, principal of RSES said the school’s enrollment this year increased with 9,376 students, 800 of these are in kindergarten.

RSES boasts of a modern computer library for its students. It was built through the combined efforts of the teachers and non-government organizations.

She added that they are currently introducing programs to reduce the drop-out rate of pupils.

Seminar on handling customs tax audits and remedies set

The Center for Global Best Practices, in collaboration with Sycip Salazar Hernandez and Gatmaitan Law Offices, is holding a seminar on “Best Practices in Handling Customs Tax Audits and Remedies” on Aug. 12, at the Peninsula Manila in Makati city.

The program will tackle comprehensively the administrative, judicial, procedural and substantive remedies to problems encountered by importers on issues of customs tax and duties with the Bureau of Customs.

Lecturers are Atty. Domingo G. Castillo, an expert in the topic and a partner in Sycip Salazar, Hernandez and Gatmaitan Law Offices; and Court of Appeals Associate Justice and chairman of the second division Juanito C. Castaneda, Jr.

This mandatory-continuing legal education seminar is accredited by the Supreme Court. Lawyers attending will earn MCLE credits. Pre-registration is required. For more details, call (02) 842-7148/59, 556-8968/69 or log on to cgbp.org.