Month: November 2022

By Leo G. Almonte

After months of painstaking preparations for a virtual conference, WVSU’s hard work finally paid off with the successful hosting of the World Research and Innovation Festival (WRIF) that ensued from October 17 to 19, 2022.

Responding to the call-to-arms of University President Dr. Joselito Villaruz to heighten efforts in establishing WVSU as a research university, Dr. Greta G. Gabinete, Vice President of Research, Extension & Training, led the charge in organizing the event as WRIF Lead Convenor.

Through the concentric effort of the different committees for keynote and plenary speakers, abstracts, invitations, IT infrastructure, technical support, marketing, and staffing, WRIF pushed through despite a short timetable and other operational issues.

Keynote and plenary speakers who are experts in the fields of Education and Social Sciences; Pure and Applied Sciences; Medical, Health, and Allied Sciences; and Business, Hospitality, and Management, inspired brought new knowledge and inspiration to the participants.

The virtual conference drew 425 participants (283 attendees and 142 presenters) from North America, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.  WRIF garnered positive assessments from the participants, although there were a few technical glitches during the conference.

Overall, WVSU’s WRIF attained its goal “to connect the global community through research,” a feat that the institution can be proud of and proved their commitment to research and innovation.

By Leo G. Almonte, MDC

As part of its institutional effort to rank higher in global university standings, the Office of Quality Assurance under Director Dr. Dolly Rose F. Temelo organized Training-Workshop on Internationalization last October 7, 2022, at the Center for Teaching Excellence Building.

Dr. Adrian P. Ybañez, Vice President for Research at Cebu Technological University, facilitated the one-day training workshop. WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz lauded the workshop’s objectives and stressed the significance of the global university rankings assessed by different global accreditors. 

Among in attendance at the workshop were the vice presidents, directors, and heads of units who are involved in preparing documents for global university ranking and accreditation.

Dr. Ybañez combined his expert technical knowledge in the accreditation processes and experience as the lead person who helped CTU attain the 7th highest place among the 50 best Philippine universities in Alper-Doger (AD) Scientific Index.

He discussed the accreditation process and techniques to gain a good spot in Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking and the World’s Universities with Real Impact (WURI). Most, if not all, global university ranking entities based their scores on the impact of the school on the fulfillment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Dr. Adrian P. Ybañez is placed in the Top 18 among the top-ranking scientists in the Philippines. He obtained his Bachelor of Animal Science (Cum Laude) and DVM degrees (Cum Laude) from the Visayas State University.

Dr. Ybañez finished the post-graduate Diploma in Research and Development from the University of the Philippines Open University and completed his doctorate in Veterinary Sciences (Internal Medicine) from the United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences of Gifu University and Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Japan. (CTU).

As a direct impact of the Training Workshop on Internationalization, Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz formed WURI Accreditation Committee headed by Director Dr. Dolly Rose F. Temelo. The committee formed sub-teams tasked to fulfill documentation for institutional achievements related to the SDGs.

By Leo G. Almonte, MDC

US Embassy Deputy Public Attaché Ms. Pauline Anderson visited West Visayas State University last October 25, 2022. The visit aims to discover opportunities for WVSU in the United States in exchange programs, student mobility, academic research, and partnerships with American educational institutions. Ms. Anderson was accompanied by Ms. Jennifer Anna J. Pascua, American Spaces Program Coordinator, Public Affairs Section.

WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz headed the representation from the university, together with Dr. Ma. Asuncion Christine V. Dequilla, VP for Academic Affairs; Dr. Porferio J. Barlas Jr., VP for Administration and Finance; Dr. Celina C. Gellada, Vice President of Medical & Allied Sciences; Dr. Wilhelm P. Cerbo, Director of UPDO; Dr. Alona M. Belarga, Director of Instruction; Dr. Dolly Rose F. Temelo, Director of Quality Assurance; Dr. Ryan Michael Oducado, Director of URDC, Prof. Edel Carmela S. Subong-Csoka, Director of ILLO; Dr. Ian C. Espada, Dean of the College of Communication; and Mr. Leo G. Almonte, Director of PAMCO.

 In his opening talk, Dr. Villaruz discussed the past and ongoing engagements with academic institutions in the United States. He mentioned the challenges and issues that WVSU experienced in their exchange programs involving US universities. Aside from medicine, the university president stated that agriculture is another area of possible partnership.

After a video presentation about WVSU, Ms. Andersen gave her response and insight on potential collaborations between the university and the United States. “I am very optimistic about future partnerships,” she said. “There are doors of opportunities in education between the university and United States in the new normal.”

A group photo-taking and the exchange of tokens between Dr. Villaruz and Ms. Andersen capped the meeting. The WVSU-US Embassy talk was made possible through the coordination of ILLO led by Prof. Edel Carmela S. Subong-Csoka.