Dr. Consorcio S. Namoco, Jr., head of the Center for Research in Technology, Engr. Ruvel J. Cuasito, Sr., chairman of the Electromechanical Technology (EMT) department, Engr. Camilo S. Salvaña III, faculty member of EMT department and Mr. Micah Paul M. Olgina, part-time lecturer of EMT department, were awarded DOST grants to attend and present papers during the 13th International Conference on Mechatronics Technology (ICMT) 2009 held on October 20-23, 2009 at Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Lahug, Cebu City. Dr. Namoco presented a paper entitled, "Workers Empowerment Through Skills Competency Enhancement: An Academe Initiative Towards Competitiveness and Productivity in Industrial Automation"(co-authored by Engr. Cuasito); Engr. Salvaña, on his paper, "Preliminary Study on the Development of a Low-Cost Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Milling Trainer" (co-authored Mr. Olgina, Engr. Cuasito & Dr. Namoco); and Engr. Cuasito, also on his paper, "Innovations in Industrial Technology Education: Responding to the Industrial Automation Needs and Practices in the Industry" (co-authored by Dr. Namoco).

The ICMT is an annual international mechatronics and technology conference that has been successfully held for 12 years. It offers a forum to discuss state-of-the-art technologies and emerging application trends, and provides great opportunities for professional interactions and networking in a friendly and hospitable setting. The first ICMT was convened in Santa Clara, USA in 1996 and the most recent conference was held in Ontario, Canada in 2008. The objective of ICMT is to facilitate close dialogue among experts on issues relating to research and technological development in mechatronics. This conference aims to promote strong interactions between the academy and the industry in all the aspects of mechatronics technology, including human resource development and education.

In ICMT 2009, researchers working on advanced mechatronics devices, mechatronics sensing, actuators and controls, MEMS/NEMS, production systems, bioengineering, human resource development, and information and networking were brought together in Cebu City, Southern Philippines. The conference featured over sixty papers by researchers from different countries.

The participation of the CIIT faculty members to the ICMT 2009 provided them the chance and opportunity to interact with other local and foreign researchers in the mechatronics and related fields. The plenary lectures delivered by world-renowned experts and authority in mechatronics kept them informed on the recent global updates on the research and developments in mechatronics and its related fields. Finally, the experience of delivering a research paper in front of an international audience enhanced their confidence in their pursuit to come up with quality researches in their fields. (csnamocojr)