The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in coordination with the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila, is set to offer upcoming certificate programs to support courses offered by health sciences schools.

UP Manila experts are collaborating with TESDA to create academic models for new technical vocational education and training (TVET) courses on autopsy technical support, advanced cadaver care for human anatomy courses and technical support for simulation-based health sciences education.

According to the state-run university, the first year of training will include anatomy subjectws, while the second year of the course will cover simulation laboratory maintenance.

Anatomy is a foundational subject for health sciences courses, including medicine, nursing, physical therapy and dentistry. Medical schools with anatomy laboratories allow students to dissect and learn from cadavers.

The university emphasized the need for trained technicians in autopsy, embalming for academic purposes, and simulation-based education in medical colleges across the country.

It also highlighted the importance of proper handling and preservation of cadavers in these laboratories.

UP Manila Chancellor Michael Tee explained that TVET academic modules will serve as the basis for the systematic training, evaluation, and certification of students taking the new courses.

Tee said these courses are designed for students who have completed K-12 education and others interested in entering the highly competitive field of academic technical support both locally and internationally.

“We will co-create these courses with TESDA to ensure quality education that matches the needs of universities offering health sciences courses,” Tee said during a meeting with officials from TESDA and the Department of Health.

UP Manila will define the learning outcomes for the courses, while TESDA will provide the training and certification for graduates of the programs.