Pohnpei Campus Holds Skills Expo 2013
Kolonia, Pohnpei - COM-FSM Pohnpei Campus successfully held the 2013 Skills Expo at the Pohnpei Campus gymnasium on April 25 and 26, 2013. Pohnpei Campus showcased nine (9) instructional programs which include: Agriculture and Food Technology, Building Technology, Carpentry and Cabinet/Furniture Making, Construction Electricity, Electronic Engineering Technology, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Motor Vehicle Mechanics, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, and Telecommunication Technology.
Booths were available with demonstrations and displays of either finished products or mock-ups of their respective programs. Exhibits ranged from hand crafted furniture made of local wood, cooking demonstrations, dining table setting, residential, industrial, and solar electrical wiring, home gardening and food processing, split type air conditioning hook up, fiber optic wiring, pc hardware & software trouble shooting , wireless communication (using microwaves), business machine servicing, typhoon resistant home construction, and automotive electrical wiring system and engine display.
A total of 69 students, 2 alumni, and 14 faculty members were involved in facilitating the two-day event. In addition to the showcases and in support of the Agriculture and Food Technology program and a course in Animal Husbandry, the office of Cooperative Extension Service Pohnpei (Cooperative Research Extension) provided a demonstration of their project on Artificial Insemination of pigs.
Collectively, over 500 participants made this year’s Skills Expo a huge success. Participants on both days included numerous members of the College community including administrators, students, faculty, staff, and COM-FSM Board members, and representatives of both the National and State governments. Visitors from the diplomatic corps were also in attendance which included the His Excellency, Ambassador Zhang Lianyun of the People’s Republic of China to the FSM , a representative of the Australian Embassy, and two representatives of the United States Embassy.
Also in attendance were representatives of Sandy Ponds & Associates, FSM Telecommunications Corporation (FSMTC), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Baptist Radio Station, Kaselehlie Press, International Organization for Migration (IOM), Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC), Island Food Community of Pohnpei, Pohnpei Utilities Corporation (PUC), and Rural Development USDA. From the private sector, managers of RJ Refrigeration & Electrical, CTSI, and Western Union and a group representing the Etscheit’s Enterprises made visits as well.
Majority of the crowd was comprised of both primary and secondary students along with their respective teachers from both public and private schools on Pohnpei. Next year’s Skills Expo is tentatively scheduled for April 24 and 25. Generous sponsors for this event were FSMTC, Pohnpei Ace Hardware, Pohnpei Ace Office Supply, Etscheit’s Enterprises, CTSI, Western Union and Caribbean and Pacific Consortium (CariPac) Program.