Every year, since 2014, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has been advising incoming college students to go for “priority courses” for them to get financial assistance and to land in-demand jobs that could help spur the country’s economic growth.
The education agency said it has updated its list of priority courses that were identified based on national development plans and manpower demands until 2018. Moreover, a study of the Department of Labor and Employment has also determined these in-demand and hard-to-fill courses, skills and jobs that match the projected employment requirements of key industries until 2020.
According to the new list, the priority courses are those in the fields of agriculture, engineering, science and math, information technology, education, health sciences, arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, business administration, architecture, maritime and communication.
Included under the health sciences, arts and humanities courses is Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology (BSRadTech), a four-year degree program designed to train students in the operation of medical imaging equipment such as X-rays, CT scanners, MRIs, sonogram machines, and 3D medical imaging programs among other computer and web-based software programs.
To become a Licensed Radiologic Technologist in the Philippines, a graduate of BS in Radiologic Technology needs to pass the Radiologic Technology Licensure Examination. The examination is conducted by the Board of Radiologic Technology under the supervision of the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC). As of 2014, the exam is conducted once a year, in July.
Business Mirror interviewed the four magna cum laude graduates of De La Salle Health Sciences Institute (DLSHSI) who made it to the top 10 in the 2017 RadTech licensure examination. The new Registered Radiologic Technologists are the following: Anna Margarita Camet (Top 2), Riolyn Alcairo (Top 3), Ryce Angeline Aves (Top 4), and Katrina Mae Engay (Top 10).
RadTech Dean Dr. Susan Olavidez said her college consistently develops their academic curriculum to make sure that their students receive the best education. “We prepare for this (the licensure exam) through the years, not only during the review. Our system has been well established and we have a good pool of faculty,” she said.
The hard working dean is also happy with the recent PAASCU (Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities) accreditation of her college. The accreditation affirms the quality academic programs and education of De La Salle Health Sciences Institute’s College of Medical Radiation Technology.
Is the RadTech exam difficult? Camet said it’s not really that hard except for cluster 2 which all examinees found to be outdated. A DLSHSI graduate of 2016, Camet decided to take the exam only this year. “I didn’t want the pressure and the big expectation (for me to make it on top of the exam as class valedictorian). Since I was away from my family for nearly one year (due to the 10-month internship), I decided to take a break and spend time with them and then take the exam after a year,” she reasoned.
Camet also said that her course is not really that heard except for the many machines and terminologies that they have to memorize by heart. She intends to practice her newfound profession for a year and pursue medicine which is really her dream course.
For Engay, she was inspired by an aunt to take the course because she is a RadTech herself. A resident of Singapore, Engay learned to enjoy and love her course and decided to stay in the country for four straight years to finish her course. “My Tita was top 8 during her time and she wasn’t cum laude, so people who know us openly express their expectation for me to pass the exam or do better than her. I simply laughed off their seemingly harmless joke but deep inside I’m telling myself, the battle is mine, it’s my fight,” Engay reminisced.
Engay added that she did her best in her battle and is thankful that she made it to the Top 10. Her family’s immediate plan is for her to reunite with them in Singapore and work there as a Radiologic Technologist.
Aves, for her part is more than thankful to land on Top 4. “All I wanted was to pass the exam. Being Top 4 is a big bonus. My success is not a one-man effort. Yes I worked hard for this but my family and loved ones contributed much to my success,” she said. Today, she intends to practice for one year and pursue medicine proper later.
Meanwhile, Alcairo, the university’s overall top graduate for Batch 2017, sees herself becoming a part of De La Salle Health Sciences Institute’s teaching staff. “I want to return the service to the institution where I was a scholar. I see myself teaching here for 2-3 years. Gusto ko pong magturo kung may chance po. Kung may offer po why not. Gusto ko ma-impart sa ibang students yung mga natutunan ko,” she declared.
What Lasallian values have helped the young ladies excel in this field?
Without batting an eyelash, Aves said: “Faith. Kasi kahit gaano kahirap ang mga laging kailangan mong gawin, there will come a time kahit ikaw sarili mo wala kang strength na i-pursue ang bagay na yun, you cannot depend on any person dito sa world besides GOD.
“Second is community service. Education doesn’t end when you graduate. Dun makikita yung education na obtain mo after mo ma-receive yung license mo; kung paano mo ma put into right application to help people in your community and sa mga taong tumulong sa ‘yo to reach that part.
Third is unity. We, 2017 graduates were truly united. We willingly updated and helped each other. We had a great support system.”