The United States Embassy tapped West Visayas State University for an activity once again, but this time it was not about instruction, but research.
Six English Language fellows manned by Ruth Goode, the Regional English Language Officer (RELO) of Jakarta, Indonesia came to the University and discussed research-related topics to aid in WVSU’s vision to be a full=-fledged research university. Jamila Barton, an English Language Coordinator, was also present.
Dr. Susan Crosbie Suradejvibul discussed Writing Critiques; Dr. Darcey Gray tackled Chat GPT/AI in Writing; Dr. Arthur E. Schneider talked on How to Structure a Publishable Article; Mr. Philip Taw delivered tips on Responding to Peer Review Comments; meanwhile Dr. Geoff Starron and Ms. Gina Karlin gave plenary speeches on Transforming into a Research University and the Relevance of Publications and Finding the Right Journal and Conference to Showcase Your Research, respectively.
Dr. Joselito Villaruz, WVSU president, took the chance to thank the US Embassy for opening opportunities to the Taga-West faculty researchers.
The second day of the training-workshop was spent on one-on-one mentoring and consultation regarding manuscript editing and research publication.
It is recalled that November last year, the US Embassy also teamed up with the International and Local Linkages Office to hold a Reading INstruction Seminar among English teachers in the WVSU system.
Category: Linkages
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US Embassy partners with ILLO, URDC for a research writing training-workshop
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WVSU gains more IZN prospects thru ‘Making the ICONS 2023’
West Visayas State University has been consistent in developing new partners, as well as identifying priorities and activities as it continues its internationalization (IZN) journey.
On December 11-12, WVSU, represented by WVSU International and Local Linkages Office – ILLO director, Edel Subong-Csoka participated in the year-end workshop organized by the CHED International Affairs Service to strengthen partnerships and camaraderie among state universities and colleges and private higher educational institutions. It was held at Sheraton Hotel, Newport City, Pasay, Manila.
The two-day event featured different consulates/embassies , organizations and industries such as IBM, Dell, OrangeApps, Coursera, and ADEC for possible networking and projects relevant to the different institutions’ unique needs.
WVSU is eyeing a few industry partners for students’ skills and readiness, not just for training and a possible addition to the programs offered at the University Distance Education headed by Dr. Daisy Rosano.
ILLO Director @Edel Subong-Csoka emphasized that it is not the number of linkages that the colleges and campuses must be eager about for this can earn points for promotion “…but they must assess and ensure the quality of projects and feasibility of execution at the target timeline.”
Institutionalization of WVSU Internationalization is one of the priorities of the current administration led by University President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz. -
Allyn Navarra, Vice Chairperson of the Senior Curriculum Council and Von Ashley Chichirita, Chairperson of the CICT Student Council, both from the College of Information and Communications Technology are in Davao for the International Volunteerism Symposium and Volunteer Fair held at University of Mindanao, Matina Campus, Davao City
The event aims to provide a venue for international and local volunteers for network building, highlight the role and contributions in fostering international cooperation, and as a means towards achieving the country’s sustainable development goals. This also opens doors for institutionalization of volunteerism in the academe.
The event will also be joined by international volunteer service organizations and local government units. -
First Taga-West In Canada
When the WVSU International and Local Linkages Office – ILLO was established as a separate unit in December 2021, we were looking at different possibilities of student exposure to international events. But one is priority: the Taga-West must be able to travel abroad!
As the Taga-West in internationalization thread past the half of 2023, we claim what we thought was just a dream, when we were looking at other state universities and colleges in the Philippines send exchange students to Canada.
We’ve gone through pains for all these, through the process—from the application, to the screening, to the visa processing and biometrics, to the air ticket purchasing, and a lot more to enumerate. There was a point where things seemed hopeless. But thanks be to God, it was granted to us.
We are ever grateful to those who applied but never made it—you still have next year, so please arm yourselves with your passport and determination.
Two of our students, Hershey Geline Sumpay and Jeanne Michaella Anthonette Andong-Nanquil made it to the Canada-ASEAN Scholarships and Educational Exchanges for Development (SEED) , funded by the Canadian Government. They are in Mohawk College, Hamilton right now for the September to December 2023 study. They are granted a certain amount in Canadian dollars to finance their air tickets, accommodation, visa, and other expenses.
Hershey is taking up Broadcasting – Television and Communications Media, while Jeanne is taking up Advertising and Marketing Communications Management.
We are indebted to our University President, Dr. Joselito Bebong Villaruz, who said, “Happy happy gid ako” when we told him the news. After all, he rallied for the internationalization of WVSU to be institutionalized; and to our university officials who made all things less difficult for us. Also to the Canadian Government, the Commission on Higher Education(CHED) headed by Chair J. Prospero Popoy De Vera, Commission on Higher Education International Affairs Services led by Atty. @Lily Freida Macabangon Milla, and Ms. @Angel Cachuela of the Canadian Education and Trade. Also, to Jels Sales and to our friends at Sun-Cor Unlimited Inc, who are helping to look after the students in Canada, thank you.
May Hershey and Jeanne serve as inspiration to the WVSU students: dare to take the challenge!
We thank the families and friends of these students who are with us from the very start.
Oh yes, we repeat: This is it! It’s the first for Taga-West in Canada. And we are just beginning. -
Bukidnon State University initiates benchmarking activity with WVSU
To learn the best practices of WVSU in the area of culture and the arts and physical education, BukSU visited the WVSU College of Pescar took part in the exchange of knowledge about the academic affairs and curriculum under the said college.
The Department Head of Bachelor in Physical Education at BukSU, Dr. Regina B. Dumdumaya, together with some faculty members and administrators joined the said activity.
The meeting-discussion was led by Pescar Secretary Prof. Ryan Puljanan, WVSU Director for Culture and Dance, Prof. Liberty Porras, and Pescar faculty Prof. Jemuel Garcia.
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WVSU foresees partnership with French Embassy
To further widen WVSU’s global academic affairs and engagement, the French Embassy represented by Adam Folleas, Officer for Higher Education and Linguistics, Head of Campus France Manila – SCAC with Sylvain Lamourette, Cooperation Attaché held an info session discussing what they can offer the University.
The session included student language assistantship, language teaching courses, and academic exchange.
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A send off for the Indonesian exchange students
For officially concluding the two-week academic stay of our Indonesian exchange students at the University, WVSU ILLO led the Closing Ceremony of “Creating Opportunities: The WVSU-ITS Student Exchange”, at the Research and Extension Building, November 22, 2023.
Together with their faculty members, CBM Dean Dr. Maria Corazon M. Samorin and CICT Dean Dr. Ma. Beth S. Concepcion were present. The selected student buddies who provided company all throughout the duration of the students’ stay also graced the occasion.
The University praised the enthusiasm showed by Ghifary Muhammad, Valeska Enrona Sareeka Rianto and Muhamad Akbar Maulana, as reflected on their academic endeavors,as well as the eagerness of fully immersing themselves with the Filipino culture, traditions and cuisines.
“This may be the end of the 2023 student exchange program but definitely there’s more to this WVSU and ITS Surabaya partnership. I believe this partnership is written in the stars, it’s all meant to be. ” said WVSU ILLO Director, Edel Carmela S. Subong-Csoka, as she hints and manifests for more collaborations and partnerships with Institut Teknologi Sepuluh (ITS). -
International Student’s Day: “Empowering Students to Dream More, Learn More, Do More in a Global Mindset” at the WVSU Cultural Center
This whole day event was made possible through collaboration with various universities: King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), West Visayas State University, University of Antique, and Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology.
“Let us make our universities open to change and innovations and let us work together to make our universities truly global institutions,” said Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, WVSU President, officially commencing the event.
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Indonesian exchange students paid visit to Iloilo City Mayor Hon. Jerry P. Treñas
Ghifary Muhammad, Akbar Maulana, and Valeska Rianto, students from Institut Teknologi Sepuluh (ITS) Nopember, Surabaya also met Iloilo City councilor Miguel Treñas and the Mayor’s daughter Ms Raisa Treñas-Chu.
These students are joining the academic classes at the College of Information and Communications Technology and the College of Business and Management.
Gab Umadhay, City PESO manager, facilitated the courtesy call and assisted the foreign students in their introduction with the Mayor.
The students will then venture on a city tour guided by two of the WVSU-CBM Tourism Management students.
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US Embassy-sponsored reading workshop continues on the second and last day with exchange of strategies for reading teaching; discusses gap in Filipino’s literacy
The morning sessions on November 7, still led by US Embassy’s English Language Fellow, Dr. Kirsten Dyck, began with Games for Teaching Reading, which tackles the different educational games to help students interact with stories. It was followed by Creating Your Own Materials for Teaching Reading, wherein the participants made and shared their own creative learning materials.
In the afternoon, Dr. Carleen Velez, the Regional English Language Officer (RELO) of the US Embassy, joined the remaining two sessions of the workshop: Hands-On Reading Activity Session and Roundtable Discussion – Final Thoughts and Questions.
The main topic of discussions among the chosen panelists from each WVSU campus revolved around the students’ strength in creativity must be utilized to their maximum potential, for them to learn effectively as it encourages a more engaging method of learning—either through video-making or graphics. However, the group agreed that with the careless usage of technology, today’s generation of students are equipped to use it as “source material” and “short fixes”—they no longer connect with text, which led into the conclusion that students must be immersed in reading a few minutes before the start of the class to give them “opportunities to engage with texts” on reading materials of their own choosing and discussing it later on in class.
Concerns regarding “regimented curriculum”, which unable educators to teach reading with creative liberty were also raised. An alternative was suggested by the group: adapt “uninterrupted, sustained silent reading” and as well as give the students reading materials in advance to provide them the luxury of learning it at their own pace.
Dr. Velez recognized that besides being creative, Filipinos are “amazing performing artists”. She said, “I think sometimes as teachers we don’t take that aspect into the classroom.” She emphasized how some students register or process knowledge in different ways, and what works for one student might not work for the rest of the class.
“Take the strength and creativity that Filipinos have and give them a little bit of choice on how they demonstrate their knowledge and I think your students are gonna be happier,” Dr. Velez added.
The training-workshop was in coordination with the WVSU International and Local Linkages Office – ILLO.