Saipan Tribune

Monday, May 20, 2013

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Free computer class needs bigger venue

The Saipan Building and Fixing Computer Users Group is in need of a bigger venue to accommodate its growing number of students.

Founding chair Mar V. Masilungan said their current venue in San Vicente is now too small because of the overwhelming response they received since taking over the computer programs previously offered by the Philippine Consulate General on Saipan before it closed.

The venue, which can only accommodate 30 students, is the residence of one of the SBFCUG members, Nestor Tumaquip.

“We are asking the community if they have any building that has not been used for awhile that they are willing to offer to our group so that we can accommodate more students who want to learn about computers and electronics,” Masilungan told Saipan Tribune.

Those who are willing to offer a space for the SBFCUG are urged to email Masilungan at tropicmar@gmail.com.

According to Masilungan, the free computer courses have always been among the well-received training programs of the consulate.

When SBFCUG took over the courses, the nonprofit group decided to offer the program not only to the Filipino community but also to those of other ethnic groups, hence the increase in the number of students.

Established in December 2006, SBFCUG's mission is to educate and raise awareness of electronics and information technology by providing free courses in these fields.

While the courses are free, the students are asked to contribute $1 per class to cover the cost of utilities when using the venue.

SBFCUG began offering Basic Computer Operations on Feb. 3 from 1 to 4pm. Volunteer instructor Jousel Regilme said this is the first batch that required them to speak in English since they have two local students.

On the same day, the group also commenced its Basic Electronics class from 9am to noon. Volunteer instructor Zaldy Quebral said this is the first time the group decided to offer this class and the students were all amazed after learning to identify the functions of a resistor, capacitor, diode, and transistor.

Both classes will run until March 10.

ETA-I

SBFCUG, one of the group members of the United Filipino Organization in the CNMI, was recently recognized by the Electronics Technicians Association, International.

Masilungan revealed that their group is now ETA International's Local Chapter #196.

ETA International is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1978 by electronics technicians with a mission to represent and support the technical professional.

The group is composed of members who are professionals in all technical fields, including fiber optics, smart home, renewable energy, customer service, biomedical, computer and computer networking, telecommunications, wireless communications, consumer electronics, video distribution, aviation, industrial electronics, radar, and satellite.

For more information, visit www.eta-i.org.