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6 Taga-West attend 7th RAP International Literacy Conference

The Reading Association of the Philippines (RAP) conducted an online conference entitled Enabling Learners through Language and Literacy whereas six of the participants were faculty members and Education graduate school students of West Visayas State University, July 22-24.

The faculty members are Mary June D. Pineda, Lorey F. Tanaleon, and Antoniette D. Cortez while GL John C. Haro, Abraham T. Vargas, and Mary Jane P. Arenga participated as students research presenters.

The event has aimed to share the research works and best practices that highlight the role of language and literacy in teaching and learning and during and beyond these challenging times.

The participants shared they had a one-hour roundtable discussion with the most number of participants in the session outnumbering the Arellano University and the University of Philippines-Diliman.

Among the plenary speakers are Dr. Jose Lalas, Director of Educational Justice at the University of Redlands, California who talked about reading instruction, theories, and research in higher education.

During his talk, Dr. Lalas has shared a quote from the statement of Duncheon & Relles, “School is not simply a place where students learn academic content and skills. . . . It is also a place where they develop a sense of what kind of people they are, where they belong in the world, what they are capable of and entitled to, and what they can expect in the future.” 

Aside from Dr. Lalas, Dr. Portia Padilla of the University of the Philippines, and Dr. Cynthia McDermott of Antioch University, USA, also ignited the online forum with their expertise in adolescent, and intermediate literacy respectively. – Jonar Dorado/CILPI

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UDE students benefit from alumni global insights

As part of integrating global perspectives into class discussions, students in Organizational Communication under the Master in School Management (MSM) engaged with alumni of the University based abroad in a Virtual Panel Discussion on June 25, 2021 using the Google Meet learning platform.

Through this class initiative, students gained valuable insights from the expertise of Drs. Stephen Rey Ligasan, Reynaldo Segumpan, and Leonardo Sotaridona on Organizational Communication based on their exposures in organizations abroad as they shared their actual experiences on how they were able to penetrate organizations abroad and how they survived all these years.

According to Dr. Ricky G. Abaleña III, tutor for Organizational Communication Class, “just how organizations in other countries do things their way, is an interesting learning input for my students as we try to look at and entertain diverse and applied perspectives in learning.”  He added that, “such collaborative arrangement with the University’s alumni abroad, brings global perspectives  for the benefit of our Filipino school leaders and future leaders, since my students are mostly school managers and owners. It is also my way of promoting diversity and internationalization of education.” 

The two-hour session gave time for the resource persons to presents their insights based on their actual experiences and the students later on asked questions. Dr. Ligasan shared thoughts about his experience in the hospitality industry in Canada, Dr. Sotaridona as a psychometrician of a US-based book publishing company, and Dr. Segumpan as a University professor in Oman.    

Dr. Ligasan shared that in Canada, organizations are highly structured and they follow set of rules and guidelines. People they hire have to attend serious orientations and everything is emphasized from there, such as work duties and expected outputs. He also shared that for Canadians, work and life should be balanced and that life in Canada is not just work,work, work. And these things are part of the things that are strictly communicated in organizations or even outside.

Talking about their experiences on racism and discrimination, Dr. Ligasan mentioned that such experiences are very common in Canada, however, “our employers have sensitivity committees who would always emphasize that racism is an offense and you’ll get fired when it’s reported.”  He also added that “the important thing about this matter is you can communicate this to the manager or even the board of directors as long as it’s something objective, you can discuss with your immediate supervisor, and everything should be grounded on facts or proofs.”

The reason why some people have racist actions against Filipinos working abroad is that, ” they’re inferior and think that you are taking away their jobs from them, but what can I do? I’m performing better,” Dr. Ligasan also said.

For his part part, Dr. Sotaridona shared that he experienced communication in the US as more of transactional and less personal as most of the communication are about work. He said that  “in the U.S. it also very diverse the way they treat you, they take it partly as the way you wanted to be treated.” For example, he said that, “when you don’t respond to a certain email consistently on weekends you are trying to say “you have to respect my time” but if you do respond, it will happen over and over again. Somehow, the way you behave or communicate also reflects on the way you want them to treat you.” He added that the weapon against bullying in the workplace or outside is “knowing your rights. It is an important response, as people are afraid when they know that you are certain where you stand.” 

In the Middle East, such as in Oman specifically, according to Dr. Segumpan, “everything must be done in a discreet manner. We are not supposed to display certain emotions or actions in public”. When in the Philippines “beso” is commonly done,  in the Middle East you’ll rarely or never find someone doing that. In the case of locals they’re not allowed to do it or else they may go to jail. We can express happiness and appreciation in various ways, but cannot overdo it in public,” he shared. 

Dr. Segumpan, also said that “appreciations are shown to employees or colleagues through posting accomplishments on social media to recognize the efforts of the members. When meeting a colleague in hallways, if you know the person you can raise your hand, if not you just walk pass each other unless one initiates a discussion. Non locals are allowed talk outside after work but not to the extent of catching anyone’s attention”.

“Acceptance is based on how you mingle with them, an advantage of Filipinos because we are flexible and friendly,” says Dr. Segumpan answering the question, “How do they accept you as a Filipino?” Regardless of what race you belong, adjusting and adapting to the environment you’re in to survive is important, he also said.

Drs. Ligasan and Segumpan aside from being alumni of the University were former professors here before they ventured abroad. Dr. Sotaridona, meanwhile, is an alumnus of the graduate school and was a professor at ISAT U. 

Students of the class shared their takeaways from the talk. Dr.  Rosvia Bagaforo, faculty of the College of Dentistry of the University said, “I have been exposed to the paradigm shifts of Filipino professionals in other countries I visited, thus, I hear the same the plights and stories. What I like about our speakers were their honesty in their struggles as migrant workers seeking their right places in the work force. From one of the speakers (Dr. Leonardo Sotaridona), ‘People are afraid because they are uncertain. So you have to know your rights.”

Nerlan Catipunan, faculty of St. Paul University-Iloilo, shared, “Drs. Stephen, Leonard and Reynald gave us a wider perspective in an organization that culture will never be a hindrance nor an obstruction.  It was clear that understanding one’s own culture can be the best way in order to have a clear vision, mission and goal that a specific individual can achieve.”

This is the second in a series of alumni engagements experienced by the students in Organizational Communication Class. In the first week of the month, Ms. Jennifer B. Pfister 

who works as an Admissions Counselor of Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah, was the Resource Person on Organizational, Culture, Change, and Communication.

–Ivy Pepito/CILPI

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WVSU’s 119th anniversary highlights research, innovation amidst pandemic

  West Visayas State University, founded on grounds of hard work, service, and excellence,  has stood the tests of time for 119 years.

   This year though, on June 16, WVSU’s celebration deviated from the usual get-together at the university’s Jubilee Park. Everything was pre-recorded and held online.   

     Despite the limitation, the message was delivered: research and innovation are not impossible even in times of Covid-19

    Dr. Joselito Villaruz, WVSU President, recalled how WVSU shifted into the asynchronous learning modality online “instantaneously”, expediting policies and administration requirements to suit the call of the time. He then pointed out that there is a deluge of data and proliferation of big devices, helping making education possible. “We are expected to use the data to lubricate our research activities and decisions.  I am challenged to revisit our curriculum to integrate data analytics. WVSU must be cognizant of endless possibilities.” Education 4.0 and a Smart University system are also rallied for by Dr. Villaruz, considering revisiting the curriculum, re-scaling and upscaling of the faculty to introduce data science, digital literacy and citizenship , even artificial intelligence. He added that to ensure continuity amidst pandemic, the University must be prepared for this is the new normal,  “We need to  embrace flexible learning, dedicating ourselves to online and virtual mode, and conduct only limited face-to-face classes for OJTs, skills learning, and laboratory activities.”

    Dr. Purita P. Bilbao, retired WVSU Professor and part-time professor at the Graduate School of the College of Education of the University, shared the findings of her research in tracing the beginnings of WVSU. The Act 74 in 1900 was the organic law of the Philippines drafted by Dr. Fred Atkinson, under the Bureau of Education, which was dedicated to the training of Filipino teachers. Act 74 was amended as Act 372 which was instrumental in establishing  three schools—including what is now known as West Visayas State University. Dr. Bilbao congratulated everyone whose lives were touched by WVSU. To end her talk, she posed a challenge, “Where do we go from here? Higher, faster, stronger, one WVSU!”

    Dr. Ma. Asuncion Christine Dequilla, Vice President for Academic Affairs, commended everyone for surviving the changes brought by Covid-19 and she assured, “WVSU will thrive as we do our share of making her proud so that in the years , even centuries to come, her name will continue to resound strongly.”

    Also during the Founding Anniversary , outstanding     researchers and extensionists, and loyal employees were recognized. During the awarding, Dr. Greta G. Gabinete, Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training, spoke that indeed, the groundworks towards becoming a research university has been laid out  and WVSU has to continue proving that in research and innovation, “Basta taga-West, the best!”.#

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CON, COM discuss limited f2f classes in townhall meeting

Students from the colleges of Nursing (CON) and Medicine (COM) and their parents and the colleges’ faculty members gathered in a townhall meeting held via Zoom on June 8, 2021  to discuss and clarify issues on the limited face-to-face classes for medical courses that was planned to start in August.

Dr. Celina Gellada, the Vice President for Medical and Allied Sciences recognized the COM and CON vital in providing manpower support during this pandemic. Dr. Gellada believes that the University has been “successful” in implementing flexible learning, but there are courses best delivered face-to-face. She informed the stakeholders, as of writing of this article, that the manual for policies and guidelines on  the limited face-to-face classes has been drafted and is with the WVSU Board of Regents, awaiting for approval.

WVSU  is actively preparing for the limited face to face to ensure that students are equipped with practical knowledge and skills. Dr. Joselito Villaruz, University President of WVSU emphasized that even if the limited face to face will be permitted, “We cannot let our guards down”. He said that there are risks during the face to face however, “This is a necessary component of the curriculum. Authentic assessments would be very challenging in an online mode.”

Mr.  Ian Van Sumagaysay , Director of the WVSU Disaster Risk Reduction Management , took the chance to inform those in the meeting about preparations for the limited face to face classes. Proper markings of and in the buildings were made, seats of 1.5meters apart were prepared, screen guards for lecturers and professors, retrofitting of classrooms, separate entrance and exit gates, temperature check and QR Code scanning, mobility simulations, series of biosafety lectures, and many more. He said, “For communal areas, only 2 hours is allotted as maximum stay. As for the library, they can borrow books and upon return, they have to leave them in a drop box outside their respective learning resource centers for disinfection purposes.”

The University has also set up isolation rooms, just in case, there will be cases. Restrooms will only allow two people at a time. Classrooms were retrofitted for ease of implementation of physical distancing.

Dr. Villaruz reminded the audience, “There will always be risks, that’s why we would like the students to practice isolation and self quarantine at home. For students who have high risk members in their families, this is not mandatory. Students can be given options, such as the online  modality.” -/CILPI

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Dental Health Breakthrough in Region VI

WVSU officially opens Doctor of Dental Medicine program

As a forefront in nursing and medical education, West Visayas State University will help the government in providing one dentist per barangay.

Thus, under Section 25.3.e and f of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Universal Health Care (UHC) Act,  West Visayas State University opens the Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) program. This is the University’s answer to the call of the government to make oral care accessible in rural and underserved areas.

The UHC or the Kalusugan Pangkalahatan (KP) is the “provision to every Filipino of the highest possible quality of health care that is accessible, efficient, equitably distributed, adequately funded, fairly financed, and appropriately used by an informed and empowered public.” 

Effective this Academic Year 2021-2022, the Doctor of Dental Medicine, under the College of Dentistry, is a 6-year program that aims to “produce graduates for the general practice of the profession who are scientifically knowledgeable, technically capable, and socially sensitive in the maintenance of health”, as stated by Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Chairman J. Prospero De Vera, III.

De Vera added, “The curriculum has integrated a community-based clinical internship program that will cater to depressed areas with constituents needed oral health care and who could not afford such. This is part of the national effort of the Commission on Higher Education to augment the number of dental health care workers.”

CHEd has been supportive of the WVSU endeavour since 2020—they have provided funds for the procurement of equipment and materials and a three-storey building will be built for the College of Dentistry.

WVSU is the first state university/college (SUC) to offer the Doctor of Dental Medicine in Western Visayas and the second in the country.

University level results will be posted soon.  # -CILPI

 

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WVSU fortifies ‘Research University’ plans with NEDA’s updated PDP

As the entire country continues to improve and recover its failing economic state due to the pandemic, the West Visayas State University is also on its way to aid the government’s Philippine Development Plan (PDP) to realize the country’s goals in supporting economic environment and foundations for sustainable development.

In a Virtual Caravan on the Updated PDP held on May 5, 2021, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) provided an update of the current status of this medium-term plan which shows positive changes before the pandemic.

Regional Director of NEDA Region 6, Meylene C. Rosales talked about featured chapters of the PDP and the long-term vision or the AmBisyon Natin 2040 such as the health system improvement, expanding economic opportunities, reaching for the demographic dividend and topics about ecological integrity.

Rosales also shared that despite of the setbacks that this pandemic has brought towards the PDP, it still did not halt the drive of the government to continue build the nation.  

“There is no other way but to ride the tide of this pandemic and deal with the complexities that it has brought us. Thus, we have adjusted what has been initially placed in the Philippine Development Plan in order to integrate strategies for us to move on to a better normal,” Rosales said while emphasizing the adjustments in PDP. 

WVSU AS A ‘RESEARCH-ORIENTED UNIVERSITY’

Meanwhile, on the University’s developments plans, Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz also assured taga-wests earlier this year that the University will remain globally relevant and competitive by enhancing the game plan of the institution amidst pandemic.

The new strategic direction of the University will provide a roadmap to achieve its goals related to the research linkages and internationalization of WVSU whereas highlighting natural, health and medical sciences disciplines at the forefront will catapult an exponential growth in research production and publications.

Dr. Villaruz also said that all research engagements shall be aligned to regional, national and sustainable development goals and will be translated into action to significantly contribute to community transformation.

TAGA-WESTS AS RESPONSIBLE AND INNOVATIVE INDIVIDUALS

On Chapter 20 of the PDP as discussed by Rosales and Leyte’s 4th District Representative Hon. Lucy-Torres Gomez, the University also has its sustainability policies in ensuring ecological integrity, clean and healthy environment such as the energy conservation program and water conservation policy of 2019.

Students of the WVSU also took part on their roles in this featured chapter where five promising Taga-Wests conceptualized an AI-moderated three-part system that will be able to foresee natural disasters that can help the government and the community for preparedness and disaster relief management.

The Artificial Intelligence for Disaster Response project came to life during the design-thinking contest last 2020 of the Iloilo Provincial Government that won 2nd place that was conceptualized by Bryan Abesamis, Fraye Cedrick Anona, Julie Anne Collado, and Jose Marie Wong of the different colleges. 

The University Research and Development Center also produced 30 complete researches in Teaching and Learning Initiatives, Poverty Alleviation/Environmental Sustainability and Health and Disease Management Categories last 2018.

The University, according to Dr. Villaruz will continue to remain loyal to its mandate of producing quality graduates and excellent healthcare delivery in the country with research at the core.

TOWARDS MODERNIZATION AND DEVELOPMENT

This virtual conference initiated by NEDA was conducted in order to engage communities on the ground by holding a series of virtual caravans on the strategies of the updated PDP. 

This long-term vision is a whole-of-society approach for economic recovery and getting the country back on track towards achieving a “Matatag, Maginhawa, at Panatag na Buhay” for every Filipino.

NEDA also urged the citizen to participate in this virtual caravan to educate themselves and at the same time, to know their respective responsibilities in taking part in achieving the goals of the PDP.

“I always believe that you can never practice what you do not appreciate and you cannot appreciate what you do not understand and you cannot understand what you do not, in the first place, know about,” Rosales highlighted.  – Jonar Dorado/CILPI

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‘ASEAN Cultural Initiative’ invades virtual classroom

Google Meet has been the number one medium for lectures and discussions among faculty and students in West Visayas State University (WVSU).


Recently, the ASEAN Cultural Initiative was brought into Google Meet through the subject, Communication in the ASEAN Setting in the College of Communication (COC). This aims to promote friendship and mutual understanding among ASEAN citizens, and specifically to: (1) bring together in a virtual panel discussion ASEAN citizens and young Filipino students; (2) feature alumni from the College of Communication who are working in the different ASEAN countries; (3) establish awareness about ASEAN among invited member-discussants and young Filipino students; (4) understand the similarities and differences among ASEAN citizens and to develop mutual respect for each other; and (5) promote internationalization of academic activities among young Filipino students. Dr. Ricky G. Abaleña III, course facilitator, wrote in the activity background, “Our Communication in the ASEAN Setting class is implementing an international collaborative initiative that will bring other ASEAN citizens to interact with young Filipinos online for a panel discussion on the theme, ‘One with ASEAN’. Within the semester, sessions will be conducted that will feature ASEAN nationals as part of the panel who will share with young Filipinos the cultures and recent developments in their respective countries as a means to promote communication among ASEAN citizens and thus being able to establish friendship and mutual understanding.”


A Panel of Guests from ASEAN countries were invited to talk to the Bachelor of Science in Development Communication second year students. The panel shared both cultural practices and communication styles/practices in their respective countries.


One of the issues raised was, actions or remarks that are considered rude in each country. In Thailand, Mr. Pipat Puengmongkolchaikij, Head of Business Operations of Choen Ter International Trade from Thailand mentioned that touching the head of another person is rude “because the head is considered as sacred”; Mr. Somsouk Vangxuexa, Executive Project Coordinator of Maruhan Japan Bank Lao from Lao PDR warned that pointing with your finger is a no-no in Laos. Both panelists agreed on not sitting in level with the monks, for monks are considered to be the highest class of people in Thailand and Laos.


Mr. Romi Sumuan , Government Officer from Indonesia, shared that Indonesia is a tourist spot, emphasizing that there is Bali and even his own hometown Mando, which are pleasant to visit. Ms. Dona Saraswati Galindo, a half-Indonesian, half-Filipina Senior Film Editor of the Mayad Post Production, Inc. in Iloilo City, who happens to be also an alumna of the COC, expressed that she has problems with the language—not exactly understanding Hiligaynon when she started studying here in Iloilo City, and even until now, she confessed, “You can backfight me and I wouldn’t understand a thing.” Filipino guests who are working with ASEAN nations and are alumni of the WVSU-COC were also invited to help enrich the discussion: Dr. Jude Ryan Seares, Asia Compliance Officer and Safeguarding Focal Point of Tearfund UK and Country Program Representative of World Concern Pakse, Champassak, Lao PDR and Mr. Brian Arthur Tallador, Leadership and Communications Life Coach in Chiang Mai, Thailand.


Dr. Seares and Mr. Tallador said that their experiences with other Asian nationalities and their immersion in community and civic work were humbling. They quipped that there are many things going on outside the Philippines and dealing with other Asians taught them that truly diversity could be a uniting factor that strengthens communities.Prof. Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, the Director of the Center for International Linkages and Public Information of WVSU was also in attendance to witness the discussion.


This initiative is only one of the many series that are introduced in this virtual class. However, students are not required to attend if it is impossible in their circumstances. /CILPI

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On IA exit confab: WVSU officials, AACCUP team press on group effort, continuing vision

They say, the culture of excellence is in the blood of Taga-West.

Indeed, it is true, as West Visayas State University reaps not just one, but two distinctions, awarded by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), Inc. during their 34th Annual National Conference held on March 10-12, 2021.

WVSU adds these new feathers in her cap: Top 2, among the State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) with the highest number of Level IV Accredited Programs in 2019, and;  Top 4, among the Top 10 Most Improved Internal Quality Assurance Unit for the same year.

The seven programs with Level 4 status are: Bachelor of Arts in English, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and Bachelor of Science in Biology (College of Arts and Sciences); Master of Education, Master of Arts in Education and PhD in Education (College of Education), and; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (College of Nursing).   

These recognitions are products of years of passion and hard work of the University to maintain and improve quality in the various of aspects of academics and operations.

As of this writing, the University is undergoing an Institutional Accreditation, also by AACCUP. -CILPI

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WVSU earns new AACCUP recognitions

They say, the culture of excellence is in the blood of Taga-West.

Indeed, it is true, as West Visayas State University reaps not just one, but two distinctions, awarded by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), Inc. during their 34th Annual National Conference held on March 10-12, 2021.

WVSU adds these new feathers in her cap: Top 2, among the State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) with the highest number of Level IV Accredited Programs in 2019, and;  Top 4, among the Top 10 Most Improved Internal Quality Assurance Unit for the same year.

The seven programs with Level 4 status accredited in 2019 are: Bachelor of Arts in English, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and Bachelor of Science in Biology (College of Arts and Sciences); Master of Education, Master of Arts in Education and PhD in Education (College of Education), and; Bachelor of Science in Nursing (College of Nursing).   

These recognitions are products of years of passion and hard work of the University to maintain and improve quality in the various of aspects of academics and operations.

As of this writing, the University is undergoing an Institutional Accreditation, also by AACCUP. -CILPI

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WVSU-GAD holds ZOOMversation for gender mainstreaming

In line with the celebration of Women’s month, West Visayas State University (WVSU) – Gender and Development Office (GAD) in partnership with Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) conducted a virtual gender sensitivity training to WVSU students and staff on March 30, 2021. 

To address the gender issues, the GAD Office invited Professor Moniq M. Muyargas, Director of the Gender and Development Program of the University of the Philippines-Visayas. 

 Prof. Muyargas discussed the key concepts of gender stereotyping, gender orientations, gender identities, and the things about the SOGIE bill. 

 “Women empowerment is hollow if gender bias is still an issue especially with the striking disparity across genders,” said by Prof. Muyargas. 

 “The problem will continue to resist no matter how many solutions we have,” she added.

 She further tackled the power of language as it is anchored in the way the society provokes gender biases.   She said that the language mirrors the reality and the reality mirrors the language, which implies that whatever language we are using to describe a gender or sex ,it depicts how we treat everyone we communicate with.   – ZenniaMirasol/CILPI