By Stephen J Pedroza
The Xavier University American Corner has been an integral partner of the Thomas Jefferson Information Center of the Public Affairs Section of the American Embassy in promoting United States-Republic of the Philippines relations. Recognizing this contribution, the US Embassy in Manila visited XU on September 9.
Sarah Ziebell, public diplomacy information resource officer at US Embassy in Jakarta together with US Embassy - Manila's Information Resource Center director Xavier Lara and deputy director Princess Grace Wooden paid a courtesy call on XU president Fr Roberto C Yap SJ.
Also present were Kristohanong Katilingban sa Pagpakabana – Social Involvement Office (KKP-SIO) director Nestor M Banuag Jr, College of Arts and Science dean Dr Juliet Dalagan, XU Libraries director Estrella C Cabudoy (also the area director for XU American Corner), and International Studies/History/PolSci Department chairperson Manilee Pañares.
The US Embassy’s visit aimed to strengthen its partnership with XU through a series of discussions on the program plan for 2015, namely Livelihood Workshop for Mothers: Handicraft Making/Basket Weaving; Environmental Workshop for Out-of-School Youth: Turn Trash to Art; Save Mother Earth, Estero Clean Up Drive and Mangrove Planting; and other civic engagements. The team took an initial visit to Talongan Village, a relocation site in Sitio Calaanan with KKP-SIO director Banuag.
“We are very happy to partner with KKP-SIO. What we are looking into is sustainability through these collaborative projects with the US Embassy,” Cabudoy said, adding that the above projects aim to provide entrepreneurial skills, heighten environmental awareness and push for personal development among the community members.
Managing a portfolio that includes American Spaces partnership in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei, Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste, Ziebell also gave a demonstration on Makerspace, a creative way to explore and discover new ways of learning through 3Doodler, Makey Makey and LittleBits.
"Makerspace is more than just a collection of gadgets. It is a community hub for people to learn and create together,” Ziebell said.
Pupils and teachers from City Central School, college students and University administrators enjoyed tinkering and experimenting with the new technologies.
“One of the challenges we face today is how to fit creativity and learning together, and Makerspace is a way to inspire young minds to build machines, explore opportunities and volunteer in communities,” said Ziebell whose primary background is in the area of film, programming and outreach, and digital technologies.
“Making is a social experience, built around relationships. Makerspaces promote learning through play and have the potential to demystify science, math, technology, and engineering concepts and encourage more women to seek careers in those fields," she added.