TESDA Awards the Kindaadman Institute with Certificate to Offer Two Diploma Programs in Agriculture

Foundation University has secured formal recognition from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to offer two (2) three-year diploma programs in the field of agriculture. 

The university received the Certificate of Recognition last June 24, 2025, granting the authority to open the Diploma in Agricultural Technology and the Diploma in Animal Production Technology. This is in accordance with the implementing guidelines and standards set by TESDA for ladderized education and technical-vocational courses.

The new offerings will be implemented through the Kinaadman Institute in collaboration with Foundation University’s College of Agriculture.

Both programs are government-subsidized under the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (Republic Act 10931), providing tuition exemption and assistance for students who are eligible. 

Both the Diploma in Agricultural Technology and the Diploma in Animal Production Technology will adopt a ladderized education model, which enables graduates to transition into a bachelor’s degree aligned with their diploma, while earning full academic credit for the coursework they have completed while under the program. TESDA National Certifications (NCs) are also integrated throughout the curriculum, validating technical competencies to improve their employability placements upon graduation.

The Diploma in Agricultural Technology is a comprehensive three-year course that includes two years of academic instruction and one year of internship. The internship may be completed either in the Philippines or abroad, giving students exposure to a range of agricultural practices, production systems, and technologies. TESDA developed the curriculum to meet current labor market needs and ensure that graduates are both job-ready and academically equipped for further studies. This diploma serves as a direct pathway to the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.

The Diploma in Animal Production Technology follows the same academic structure. Adapted from Foundation University’s College of Agriculture curriculum, the program emphasizes core competencies in animal science. Students receive academic training paired with hands-on fieldwork in livestock production, farm management, and extension services. Over the course of the program, students earn multiple TESDA National Certifications that reinforce their technical qualifications. Graduates may continue into the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture major in Animal Science, with full credit for their diploma coursework.

University officials welcomed the recognition as an important development for higher education in the province. They pointed to the growing demand for skilled agricultural workers and the value of blending technical instruction with academic rigor. The new programs reflect TESDA’s broader effort to align education with labor needs, combining classroom learning with practical experience that prepares students for the challenges of a rapidly evolving agricultural sector.

Through this partnership, Foundation University and TESDA are creating new avenues for students to enter or advance in agriculture. The combination of public funding, skill-based certification, and academic mobility provides a structure for long-term growth, both for individual students and for the wider agricultural economy of Negros Oriental.