PCAF KOICA scholar featured as resource speaker at PhilKOFA knowledge-sharing - Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries

Posted on September 17, 2025

Svenjo Nicdao, Information Systems Analyst II, of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF) and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) scholar, served as a resource speaker at the Philippine KOICA Fellows Association (PhilKOFA) Knowledge Sharing activity held on September 15, 2025, at Universidad De Manila (UDM) in Ermita, Manila.

The event, titled “Knowledge Sharing on ICT-Based Solutions and Innovation for Business Creation and Growth,” brought together students from the College of Business Administration and administrative staff across the university.

Nicdao, a Computer Engineering (CpE) graduate, shared valuable insights and best practices in ICT-based solutions and innovation, drawing from his training and experience as a scholar under the KOICA program in the Republic of Korea. He emphasized the importance of adapting digital solutions to local contexts, particularly in business development and service delivery. His presentation highlighted practical tools, systems, and strategies that can support entrepreneurship and operational efficiency—valuable insights for future professionals and administrators.

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools do not replace your thinking, they complement it. So use them wisely,” Nicdao said. “AI in school is like using a calculator in math. It helps with the heavy lifting, but true understanding must still come from you. Plagiarism happens when we copy blindly, but innovation happens when we use AI outputs as raw materials, then add our own insights that can fuel our creativity,” he added.

The event is part of PhilKOFA’s annual knowledge-sharing initiative, supported by KOICA, which cascades alumni learnings to various sectors of Philippine society. It highlighted the role of technology and innovation in fostering inclusive growth and sustainable development, while reinforcing the organization’s commitment to supporting government efforts in nation-building by empowering communities with global knowledge and skills.

From August 2023 to December 2024, Nicdao pursued a Master of Applied Intelligence at Hanyang University in Ansan, South Korea, specializing in Applied Artificial Intelligence and majoring in Digital Innovation.| Jane Briña

Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries

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