Aldersgate College, Inc. (ACI), through its Research & Development, and Entrepreneurship (RDE) Unit and the BRIDGE Hub, successfully held the Entry Meeting with Catalyste+ on September 15, 2025, at the Audio Visual Room 2. This gathering marked the formal start of the institution’s 3rd Catalyste+ Engagement focusing on the Point of Sale Automated Management (POSAM) System.
The meeting was graced by Catalyste+ representatives Mr. Vener Valerio (Project Officer, Catalyste+ Philippines) and Ms. Carmen Gagnon (Catalyste+ Advisor), alongside ACI’s Acting President Rev. Eduardo B. Copliting, Jr., Ph.D., Executive Committee members, Research Director, Deans, Program Chairs, Department Heads, and the Board of Trustees represented by Dr. Myrna V. Viernes. Representatives from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)—Ms. Precious Mae Marzan (Negosyo Center Business Counselor) and Mr. Arjar Mar Novida (SSF Project Coordinator / Alternate IT Focal)—also attended, reflecting a strong government–academe–industry partnership.
In his welcome remarks, Kristian Cesar C. Ollier, Acting VP for RDE, underscored the importance of strengthening institutional processes through digital transformation. The session also provided an overview of the POSAM project, which aims to streamline internal communication, accomplishment reporting, procurement, disbursement, and report generation based on the needs assessment conducted in August 2025.
A highlight of the meeting was the participation of Information Technology students from the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education (CASE-IT), who, under the guidance of their faculty advisors, will work hand in hand with Catalyste+ Advisor Carmen Gagnon. This partnership will provide students with valuable hands-on experience in programming and coding, integrating classroom learning with real-world system development.
At 11:00 AM, the Catalyste+ team, alongside ACI personnel and students, visited the Computer Laboratory at CSS Room 209 to have a basic hands-on session with the POSAM system. This activity allowed participants to familiarize themselves with the system’s functionalities and begin identifying key features that would be customized according to the institution’s needs.
The POSAM system, once fully developed and customized, is envisioned to serve as a cloud-based operations platform that will address delays in approval processes, streamline accomplishment reporting, and improve institutional efficiency. By embedding student participation, ACI not only enhances its operational capabilities but also nurtures innovation, applied learning, and research-driven solutions aligned with the institution’s academic and community development goals.
This initiative is strongly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
* SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – fostering innovation and digital infrastructure through the development of POSAM.
* SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – enhancing institutional systems for transparency, accountability, and governance.
* SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – strengthening collaboration among academe, government, and international partners.
The RDE Unit and BRIDGE Hub will continue to facilitate this engagement, ensuring that the collaboration with Catalyste+ produces sustainable outcomes that will benefit ACI and its stakeholders in the years to come.
#RDE
#SDGs
#sdginnovationchallenge
