Asia Pacific Center for Disability Project (APCD), a technical cooperation project between the government of Japan and Thailand officially recognized MCCID College as one of its Associate Organizations based in the Philippines last November 14 and appeared in their website on December 12.

In a formal letter sent to MCCID Training Director, APCD through their Director Ms. Kanitta Kamolwat accepted the school’s application for membership after passing their basic requirements. They also expressed their appreciation for the efforts made by the school in promoting the welfare of persons with disabilities specifically the deaf sector in the Philippines.

As an associate organization, MCCID College can take part in their annual programs and activities as well as participate in their international trainings, conferences and events. They will also support the capacity-building of the focal point and associate organizations to network information especially grass-root organizations. This will encourage grass-root organizations to share and disseminate disability related information in an accessible way to all in the Region.

NCDA Head Ms. Nelia De Jesus highlights important ICT successes during brainstorming session.

As its first joint activity, MCCID College collaborated with APCD, the National Council on Disability Affairs and Resources for the Blind in documenting and presenting a 5-minute video on the success of ICT accessibility best practices in the Philippines. In a meeting last November 14 held at NCDA Board Room, APCD representative and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Expert Mr. Ryuhei Sano led the brainstorming and planning of this special activity. MCCID will be involved in the sign language interpretation of the video. The documentation is tentatively scheduled to be filmed in May 2009 and will be released during the National Disability and Prevention Week Celebration on June.

APCD’s main goal is to promote the empowerment of people with disabilities and a barrier-free society in developing countries in the Asia and Pacific Region. They were established in 2002 as a legacy of the Asia and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons 1993-2002, under joint collaboration of the Government of Japan and the Royal Thai Government. APCD has been endorsed by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific as a regional cooperative base for its Biwako Millennium Framework for Action towards an Inclusive,Barrier-free and Rights-based Society for Persons with Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Decade of Disabled Persons,2003-2012.

Sir Jojo introduces APCD delegates led by Mr. Ninomiya during their 2004 visit.

The APCD team led by Mr. Akiie Ninomiya, APCD Chief Advisor first visited the school in 2004 in its former Sta. Mesa campus. They were warmly welcomed by the school’s officials and students.

APCD is the first international agency that recognized the school under its college status. To know more about them, visit their official website.

After months of processing important papers and documents, the Philippine government through the Securities and Exchange Commission finally approved the registration of the school last November 4, 2008 and now officially named MCCID College of Technology, Inc.

The change was necessary in order for the school to open four year bachelor’s degree programs and at the same time maintain its status as the only technical college for the deaf in the Philippines. Currently, the school offers three-year diploma courses in Arts and Computer Design Technology and Business Technology as well as one-year Certificate program in Sign Language and Computer Software Operations. All present courses are approved by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

CHED Indorsement Certificate of MCCID College of Technology

With this development, the school will now be under the supervision of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as per approval of its Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws. However, MCCID College stays with TESDA for its three-year and below technical courses.

Together with the change of its name is the transformation of its logo. The circular gear symbol is retained and so with the official blue and white colors. The content of the circle is now composed of the Bible – God is source of our knowledge; Torch – Symbol of education; Rays – Spreading knowledge to everyone; Computer/Atom – Technology and other courses; LY Sign – Focus on the Deaf and Circle Gear – Symbol of unity.

TESDA Indorsement Certificate of MCCID College of Technology

The school’s slogan has also undergone a change in line with the symbols on the logo and the new corporate image it projects. From “School of top deaf graduates in the Philippines“, its new catchphrase is “God, Education, Technology, Life“. With GOD as the source of all knowledge, we draw EDUCATION from the Almighty. These good values and practices will now be incorporated into the latest TECHNOLOGIES and skills. All of these will be useful to the deaf student as he equip himself into facing the challenges of LIFE ahead.

In line with these developments, MCCID’s official website is also undergoing a major face lift. Ervin Reyes, MCCID College’s Deaf Coordinator and lead web designer assured the public that the change will be in line with the school’s policy of promoting web accessibility, search engine optimized and following the latest Web 2.0 trend. Expect continuous updating of content and news articles as well as maintaining files related to deaf concerns and contact information within the country.

New MCCID Logo

Manila Christian Computer Institute for the Deaf (MCCID) has been in existence since 1993. It has grown from a foundation offering one-year short term computer courses for the deaf when it started its operation in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Fifteen years and more than 250 graduates later, the school is now one of the country’s leading institution in deaf education recognized both here and abroad.

“All of these are for the glory of Christ whom we all serve and praise“, thus said MCCID College of Technology President Mr. Remberto Esposa.