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FUSSC SAYS "NO!" TO PIRACY AT OMB CYBER FORUM
On September 16, 2011 at the FEATI University Activity Center, close to 400 students and 20 faculty and administration participants attended “Cyber Forum 2011: Legal Issues on Technology”.
Presented by the FEATI University Supreme Student Council (FUSSC) and graced by no other than the fearless firebrand and Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of the Optical Media Board (OMB), Ronald “Ronnie” N. Ricketts, the Cyber Forum was organized to raise awareness of students on the subject of cyber crimes, piracy and the corresponding legal entanglements, as well as remedies to address these urgent concerns. Awareness that when driven home would motivate the students to turn away from the lure of such insidious, readily available and apparently anonymous temptations.
During the very lively Q&A session between FEATI students and Chairman Ricketts, which was moderated by Mr. Dinkydoo J. Clarion, Jr. - Executive Assistant of the OMB Public Information and Communication Unit, the Chairman underscored the key priorities of OMB under his stewardship: Purge piracy and ensure continuous dialogue with LGU’s and those who engage in this trade, many of whom are our Muslim brothers.
Chairman Ricketts exhorted the students to no longer be impervious to cyber crimes and piracy and to refrain from patronizing pirated products because the money that is raised from pirated products also benefits illegal activities related to drugs. He provided sure-fire tips for distinguishing genuine books and DVDs from their pirated or bootlegged copies. Chairman Ricketts also talked of the allure of buying pirated products: easy accessibility and dirt cheap prices, but, as he stated unequivocally, as awareness grows as to the attendant evil effects, people will take a collective stand against piracy.
The students appreciated the directness and candor of the resolute OMB Chairman who is relentless in his crusade to rid the country of the scourges of Optical Media Piracy, which comes in the form of un-authenticated copies of copyright-protected sound and video files e.g., movies, PC games, software, and even hardware utilities. After his motivating talk, Dean of Student Affairs, Sr. Nicetas Favorito; IT Faculty Member and FUSSC Adviser Ms. Leonila F. Beroy; FUSSC Press Relations Officer Ms. Lyn De La Cerna; the FUSSC officers led by their President Cedrick V. Berones; and the students who participated in the Q&A were called on stage for the shredding of pirated CD’s. As a symbolic gesture and collective act against piracy, each of them was given a pirated CD copy and together with the OMB Chairman, they threw them into the shredding machine brought by OMB for the forum.
Ms. Beroy, the prime-mover of this activity, is grateful for the whole-hearted support of Chairman Ricketts for this FUSSC-led event, one of the most successful FUSSC events to date. She adds further, “The Cyber Forum would not be possible without the presence and support of Hon. Ronnie N. Ricketts, and Mr. Dinkydoo J. Clarion Jr. My appreciation also goes out to my FUSSC co-Adviser, Engr. Jovy Factor; College of Business Dean Tristan H. Macapanpan for the opening remarks; Ms. De La Cerna, our tireless Press Relations Officer; Ms. Teng C. Ladip, Student Assistance Services Officer; Mr. Glen Jose Saño, I.T. student for emceeing the event; the FUSSC officers; and the members of the academe who gave us their undivided time and attention during the Cyber Forum.
I hope that the students learned a lot from the speakers and that they will use what they learned to complement the efforts of the OMB. I hope that they will take it upon themselves to educate their friends and family members about the many forms of piracy.”
Clearly, the task of OMB is daunting and extremely challenging but with allies like FEATI University, the chances of success have immensely improved. (AMD)
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