Top Non-Voice Outsourcing Companies Merged for BPO Summit

Six major outsourcing trade groups from the back office processing, software development, transcription, digital animation, and game development sector merged for the BPO Summit Philippines 2008 held last December 2 to 3, 2008 at the Crowne Plaza Galleria Manila in Ortigas Center, Quezon City.

Organized by the DL Media Focus International Inc, the trade groups who composed the Summit were Animation Council of the Philippines Inc. (ACPI), Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPA/P), Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP), Game Development Association of the Philippines (GDAP), Medical Transcription Industry Association of the Philippines Inc. (MTIAPI), and Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA).

During the summit, break-out sessions on Back Office, Transcription, Digital Animation, and Game Development discussed sector-specific business and technology issues for industry players and offered mastery classes for practitioners and students. The expo served as a venue for industry players to discover the latest technologies and solutions for their sector. The job fair, gave job seekers, especially fresh graduates, the chance to be part of the BPO industry.

Highlights of the summit include the GDAP Rock Concert and Cosplay Competition, Transcription Skills Challenge, and film screening of the winners of the recently concluded 2^nd Animahenasyon Festival.

The BPO Summit Philippines 2008 was co-presented by Avaya, Diversified Technology Solutions International, Inc., (DTSI), Eastern Communications, Globe Telecom Inc., Hewlett-Packard Philippines, JP Morgan Chase & Co., and PLDT Business Solutions.

Sponsors include Bayan Business, Lexmark, Logica, Maxicare Healthcare Corporation, Medicard Philippines Inc., Teletech, Unison Computer Systems Inc., Jebsen & Jessen Communications, Jones Lang LaSalle Leechui, and Netopia Internet Café. Official SMS Solution Partner is InfoTxt. Media sponsors are ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC), Business World, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star, Jam 88.3, Magic 89.9, 99.5 RT, 103.5 MaxFM, and Wave 89.1.

HR Heads Gathered for National Convention

HR Philippines hosted the 2nd Human Resources (HR) National Convention held at the Brokenshire College Resort and Convention Center in Madapo Hills, Davao City last November 20 to 21, 2008

With the theme “Developing a Culture of Responsive Human Resources for a World Class Philippines”, the Convention aims to enhance its participants' knowledge on emerging trends and prioritize issues of immediate concern on Human Resources.

Mr. Doodz Policarpio, President of Prudential Life and Dale Carnegie Institute gave the Keynote Address about Employee Engagement.

During the event, guest speakers tackled new developments on HR strategies, quality management system framework, presentation skills, career exploration and planning, and social entrepreneurship. Notable guest speakers include Mr. Rey Misoles, CEO and Managing Director of Maximum Performance (MaP) Consulting Group; Mr. Richard Ursua of the Development Academy of the Philippines; and Mr. Harvey Keh, Director of the Youth Leadership & Social Entrepreneur in Ateneo De Manila University – School of Government.

The 2nd HR National Convention is in cooperation with Productivity Improvement Circle Association of Southern Mindanao (PICASOM) (PICASOM), an association of Quality and Productivity Practitioners in Southern Mindanao.

RP, Others Sailed Away for Manning and Training Conference

Manning and training experts from the Philippines and abroad met at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila from November 4 to 5 for the 9^th Asia-Pacific Manning and Training Conference.

Carrying the theme, “Applying New Strategies to Address the Crewing Crisis”, the conference focused on the current crisis experienced by the whole industry, specifically, the significant decrease of seafarers that has been affecting operations of several ships throughout the world.

During the event, manning and training experts discussed solutions and presented actions of manning agencies in the country to assure continuous supply of Filipino seafarers worldwide. International and local maritime experts talked about the analysis of current manpower supply and demand, appraisal of industry and training institute initiatives in retaining crews and enhancing standards, as well as a review of international regulations. Special focus were given on enhanced onboard and onshore training schemes and assessing pioneering technologies used to empower seafarers.

A pre-conference workshop on International Maritime Resource Management was held on November 3 at the same venue.

The 9th Asia-Pacific Manning and Training Conference was organized by Lloyd’s List Events and made possible with the support of Pandiman Philippines Inc., International Maritime Employers’ Committee, International Ship Managers' Association, Nautilus UK, International Shipping Federation, International Federation of Shipmasters' Associations, Global Maritime Education and Training Association, The Nautical Institute, Filipino Association for Mariners’ Employment, Inc., and Joint Manning Group.

Official Publications are Lloyd’s List, Lloyd's Ship Manager, and Maritime Asia. Supporting publications are PortCalls, Global Process Managers Inc., Harborscope, The Marine Café, Transport Weekly, Seaway Shipping Digest, Tinig ng Marino at DWIZ, Sailor Today, Ahoy! Magazine, Maritime Review, Marino World, ShipTalkjobs, Buhay Marino Dyaryo, and The Maritime Observer.

Sponsors and exhibitors include Walport International, Transas, Seagull, International Marine Travel Group, Det Norske Veritas, Videotel, Kongsberg, Lloyd's Maritime Academy, Instone International, Ship Equip, IDESS Interactive Technologies (IDESS I.T.), Inc., Griffin Marine Travel, WhatIf, Concateno, Maritime and Corporate Administrator of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Wartsila, Smart Link, and Professional Gear Inc.,

Mechanical Engineers Celebrated 56-year History at SMX

In celebration of its 56^th year as the sole accredited organization for mechanical engineers in the country, the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) staged its Annual National Convention, together with its 5^th International Expo on Mechanical Engineering last November 4-7, 2008 at the Hall 1, SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

Carrying the theme: "Responding to Global Mechanical Safety, efficiency and Environmental Protection", this year’s convention aims to educate and promote the safety of mechanical engineers in their working environment. Furthermore, it seeks to aid the rest of the world in finding solutions and using new technology that would help save the environment.

PSME has arranged several activities during the event for all members and non-members of the organization which include seminars, workshops, product presentations, sports tournament, and technical paper presentation.

The event is in conjunction with the 33rd Annual National Convention and Expo of the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers of the Philippines.

Established back in 1952, and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission in 1955, the PSME aspires to become a group that would unify all mechanical engineers in the country in pursuance of professional growth, maintenance of integrity and fortification of the engineering profession. PSME was accredited by the Professional Regulations Commission on July 8, 1975 as the national professional organization for Mechanical Engineers. Currently, it now has 86 chapters nationwide and from the Middle East.

The 56^th Annual National Convention and 5^th International Expo on Mechanical Engineering is organized by the PSME and Cut Unlimited Inc. This is in cooperation with the Philippine Institute of Supply Management, Department of Energy, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Training Institute of Manila Engineers Foundation, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Department of Labor and Employment, Philippine Federation of Professional Associations and Philippine Technological Council.