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As industries continue to embrace digital transformation, faculty members from the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) strengthened their digital design and engineering competencies after participating in the two-day Autodesk Workshop Training held on July 30-31, 2026, at the University Commercial Building, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.
Faculty members from the College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT), College of Trade and Industries (CTI), and the USM Kidapawan City Campus (USM-KCC) gathered for the training. They were exposed to hands-on training using Autodesk Fusion 360, a cloud-based platform that combines computer-aided design (CAD), engineering, simulation, manufacturing, and collaboration tools in a single workspace.
Throughout the training, participants were introduced to the fundamentals of Fusion 360, including its user interface, navigation, and essential design tools. They also learned 3D modeling through sketching and extrusion techniques before progressing to advanced modeling, simulation, rendering, and engineering analysis. As part of the workshop, participants developed simple product models and completed a collaborative design project that demonstrated how ideas can move from concept to prototype using one integrated platform.
In his message, University President Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel emphasized the role of educators in preparing students for the future by integrating industry-standard technologies into teaching.
“Autodesk has become one of the world’s leading platforms for engineering, architecture, manufacturing, and product design. By integrating these powerful digital tools into our teaching practices, we create learning environments that are more engaging, collaborative, and industry-responsive. More importantly, we bridge the gap between academic instruction and professional practice, ensuring that our graduates possess the competencies demanded by both local and global industries,” the president said.
The workshop is one of the initiatives under the memorandum of agreement signed earlier this year between USM, the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), and Digital Creatives Philippines, Inc. The partnership aims to expand opportunities for digital innovation, volunteerism, technical education, and workforce development through training and collaborative programs.
According to CEIT Dean Engr. Maricel G. Dayaday, Autodesk software has long been used in engineering education, particularly in subjects involving engineering drawing and AutoCAD. She said the introduction of Fusion 360 allows faculty members to expand beyond conventional drafting by integrating design, simulation, and product development into instruction.
“Beyond producing designers, we also want to develop innovators,” Dean Dayaday said. “Fusion 360 allows users to transform ideas into workable designs for machines, components, circuits, and other engineering applications. It is a valuable tool across engineering programs because design is fundamental to the profession.”
Faculty participants also shared how the workshop will improve their teaching and future academic work.
For Nico Jim Varon of the Department of Electronics and Communications Engineering, the training provided a deeper appreciation of Fusion 360 as an integrated platform for design, simulation, and manufacturing.
“It helped me understand the importance of applying design constraints, following proper engineering design practices, and creating accurate models,” he shared. “As a faculty member, it enhances my capability to teach engineering design using industry-standard software. Although the training was limited to two days, it sparked my interest in industrial design applications that can support instruction, research, and future extension initiatives.”
Meanwhile, CTI faculty member Ariel Sadulang said the workshop introduced participants to a different approach to digital modeling compared with software they commonly use.
“Fusion 360 broadened our perspective on 3D modeling and exposed us to new ways of designing,” he said. “The knowledge and skills I gained will help me integrate current industry practices into my classes and better prepare students for the evolving digital creative sector.”
For Dr. Marlowe E. Llorito, Vice Chancellor and FabLab Manager of USM-KCC, the training demonstrated how a product can be developed from concept to prototype and manufacturing using a single platform.
“The training strengthened my understanding of parametric modeling, where designs can easily be modified by adjusting dimensions and constraints without recreating the entire model,” he said. “It will improve the quality of instruction by integrating Fusion 360 alongside AutoCAD, while also enhancing our capability in the FabLab to mentor students and interns in product design, innovation, and prototyping.”
Through the training, USM continues to equip its faculty with the knowledge and skills needed to integrate industry-standard digital tools into instruction, helping prepare students to use the same technologies they will encounter in their future careers.
