Israeli organization ORT is eager to partner with the Philippines to help prepare Filipino students become part of a “technology-driven workforce”.

An ORT Israel delegation is in Manila to introduce the organization’s various science and technology-focused teaching and learning methodologies to Filipino private and public education stakeholders.

At a roundtable in Taguig City on Friday, Alona Kletsel, ORT head of International Business Development & Marketing, said her group can provide unique expertise and support in crafting an innovative curricula to keep students apace with the rapidly changing technology once they graduate.

“There was a lot of interest and there’s really a pain point here with regard to closing the gap between the industry needs and academy or vocational education institutions,” Kletsel said.

“We at ORT have a very practical approach towards this situation — to work closely with the industry to tailor education in line with the needs and provide practical experience through collaborative projects with the industry,” she said.

ORT is the largest education network operating in Israel and is funded by the Israel Ministry of Education, supporting 30 vocational colleges, 220 secondary schools, and more than 100,000 students, annually.

In its network of schools, it champions the use of artificial intelligence to reduce the workload of teachers.

It also uses virtual reality both for teaching and as an asset for learners — either to develop virtual reality atmospheres in their software lessons or to sharpen their English and presentation skills.

Following this visit, Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss said the Israeli Embassy is willing to facilitate cooperation between the organization and the education stakeholders in the country.

“Yes we are still at war, we are living in a very challenging time but we are still committed to build partnership with the Philippines,” he said.

During her visit to Manila, Kletsel met with officials from the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education Skills and Development Authority, local government units, and Philippine universities.

ORT has a number of international projects, including in Azerbaijan where at least 100 schools are set to benefit from the learning curriculum and roadmap it developed for the country’s education sector. (PNA)