CERTIFICATE PROGRAM ON TOXIC AND HAZARDOUS WASTE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Genandrialine L. Peralta
Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Chemical Engineering &
Coordinator, Environmental Engineering Graduate Program
University of the Philippines , Diliman
Quezon City , Philippines 1101
Telefax : (632) 927-1745; (632) 426-9860
Email: glperalta@up.edu.ph, rgperalta@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
The main objective of the training course is to develop the capacity of staff of both government and private sectors to manage toxic and hazardous wastes in an environmentally sound manner. A second objective is to promote effective implementation of the Toxic, Hazardous and Nuclear Waste Control Act, also known as RA 6969. The certificate program was started in September 2003 and to date has trained more than 150 participants from government, industries, academe, and environmental service providers. The overall evaluation of the certificate course has been “very good to excellent”.
The initial offering was a ‘training of trainers” with grants and assistance from USAID, USEPA and USDOD. Thereafter, the Certificate Program is self-sustaining under the Continuing Education Program of UP National Engineering Center with an all-Filipino team of lecturers. On a demand-basis, there are also in-house training for companies or as a regular course running between October to March at UP. The courses under the program are based on four international training modules, one week each, developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and adapted for the Philippines , as follows
Each module consists of classroom lectures, hands on and simulation sessions, practical exercises, group discussions and a field trip. Diagnostic tests, given at the end of each day are also part of the course requirements. Handouts in a binder, CDs, and chemical guidebooks are distributed to supplement the lectures. Upon completion of the four courses, the participants receive an award of completion on Certificate in Toxic and Hazardous Waste Management from UP and USEPA. Those attending selected courses are granted a Certificate of Attendance for each module completed. Since the courses are globalized, it is possible to offer them to international participants with the appropriate adaptation in examples and case studies