The Regional Training Programme on Embracing Sustainability: Integrating Green Practices into TVET Curriculum was jointly organized by SEAMEO VOCTECH, the Ministry of Education Malaysia, and The Education University of Hong Kong. Conducted from October 6 to 8, 2025 via online sessions and from October 13 to 17, 2025 onsite at UTMSPACE in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the programme aimed to strengthen the capacity of TVET educators and curriculum developers across Southeast Asia in embedding sustainability principles and green skills into institutional programs.
The training was designed to support the global movement toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4 on Quality Education and Goal 13 on Climate Action. Representing the Philippines, Ms. Mary Grace Pelayo-Arellano, TESD Specialist II and RTC-KPVTC, Davao trainer, participated as the official delegate. As a member of RTC-KPVTC Davao’s Innovation, Research, and Green TVET Team, she contributed institutional insights and showcased the Center’s localized sustainability initiative during the country presentation module. Her participation aligned with TESDA’s strategic direction on Green TVET and reinforced RTC-KPVTC, Davao’s commitment to curriculum innovation and environmental stewardship.
With the support of TESDA and RTC-KPVTC, Davao, Ms. Arellano’s participation in the Regional Training Programme resulted in several institutional and professional gains. During the country presentation module, she delivered RTC-KPVTC, Davao’s action plan titled Project BERDE: Building Environmental Resilience through Developmental Education, which highlighted the proposed RTC Model-Reflect, Transform, Cultivate-as a framework for integrating sustainability into curriculum, teaching practices, and community outreach.
She actively engaged in curriculum development workshops, where she co-designed sustainability-infused modules contextualized for Philippine TVET programs, particularly Organic Agriculture Production NC II. She also joined the educational visit to the Malaysia-Japan Industrial & Innovation Expo and ERT Setapak Vocational College, gaining firsthand insights into green infrastructure, industry-academia collaboration, and institutional sustainability campaigns.
These experiences informed her refinement of RTC-KPVTC, Davao’s implementation timeline, budget, and monitoring framework for Project BERDE, ensuring alignment with regional best practices and the Philippine Green TVET agenda.
At the end of the programme, Ms. Arellano received a Certificate of Completion. Her participation will serve as a driving force for RTC-KPVTC, Davao’s continued visibility as a regional leader in Green TVET and thus contribute to TESDA’s broader sustainability initiatives. The knowledge and strategies gained from the training will directly inform the rollout of Project BERDE and inspire further initiatives in greening practices not only in the Training Center but in the whole Davao Region.
