WVSU

Category: Linkages

  • WVSU Represents Indonesia at the ASEAN 55th Founding Anniversary Exhibit

    By Leo Almonte

    West Visayas State University (WVSU) represents Indonesia during the week-long ASEAN Exhibit: A Showcase of ASEAN Culture and Education that started last September 26, 2022, at Robinsons Mall, Jaro, Iloilo City. 

    ASEAN, a regional body, composed of 10 member states founded in 1967, is committed to promoting intergovernmental cooperation in economic development, security, military, politics, and education. 

    CHED Region VI and Western Visayas Association of Higher Education Institutions (WVAHEI) organized the event in collaboration with WVAHEI members to celebrate the 55th Founding Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

    Higher Education Institutions participating in the event stand-in for an ASEAN member state through booths showcasing its culture. Assigned to represent Indonesia, WVSU’s International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO) booth featured its culture through Indonesian-inspired decorations, visuals, and symbols. 

    WVSU’s Janiuay and Lambunao Campuses put their culinary skills into high gear by preparing Indonesian cuisines like Beef Rendang, Ayam Goreng, Chicken Satay, Cilor, and Klepon. Mall goers swarmed the booths for free food tasting and a closer look at the display. ILLO staff and interns manning the booth donned  Indonesian-themed outfits. 

    The ASEAN Exhibit became an opportunity for the different WVSU campuses to work as a team and contribute to the event’s success. The other units that contributed to cultural production, logistics, booth set-up, concept development, theme, design and promotion were the Dance Cultural Affairs Office, College of Business and Management, Pototan Campus, MIS, PAMCO, WVSU Artist Guild, ILLO and PAMCO interns, and the General Service Office.  

    Like in all the booths, WVSU’s corner garnered visitors for selfies, food-tasting, and small talks with staff about their “adopted” country. The ASEAN Exhibit is open to the public until September 30, 2022 at  Robinsons Mall, Jaro, Iloilo City. 

     

  • CHED hosts ASEAN’s 55th founding anniversary kickoff

    by Gian Kyra A. Morones / ILLO

    August 8, 2022 – CHED hosts their first hybrid virtual kick-off ceremony for ASEAN’s 55th founding anniversary. This year, ASEAN carries Cambodia’s chairmanship 2022 theme, ASEAN A.C.T. Addressing Challenges Together.

    The Assistant Secretary of ASEAN Affairs, Daniel Ramos Espiritu, opened the ceremony with his welcome remarks. In his speech, Daniel Espiritu highlighted how school closures due to the pandemic interrupted the development of education. With the sudden shift in traditional learning to online education, there had been a growing digital divide among students. By October of 2020, ASEAN leaders and experts created measures to promote digital literacy and development of transferable skills among youths and children. This is to ensure that education in the region is “equitable, inclusive and future ready”. Along with distance learning strategies, maximize e-learning platforms, open educational resources, and virtual peer exchanges in order to further improve the quality of education. He noticed that, “ASEAN remains united and strong even in the face of hardships”.

    “ASEAN remains united and strong even in the face of hardships.”

    The event’s guest speaker, Senator Loren Legarda, mentioned her first bill in the 19th Congress, the ‘One Tablet, One Student Program’ seek to provide public schools, universities and colleges a tablet for each student for the purpose of helping them cope with the changes in their education. In coordination with CHED, Senator Legarda helped in assisting students’ education through developing laws that provide financial assistance to their education like UniFast, Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act and the Enhanced Basic Education Program. She stressed that, “Filipinos, especially from lower income families, should know that they have such opportunities”. She also stated a problem concerning the young population as they face a disproportionate level of unemployment and under employment in which she hopes to address if given the chance. “It is imperative that we build a more resilient educational ecosystem”. She proposed to ramp up the skills development in education, sustainable development, gender equality and inclusivity.

    SEAMEO Director, Dr. Ethel Agnes Pascua Valenzuela stated that “we must strengthen the implementation of open, flexible and distance learning” and provide more importance to distance learning. The new normal education paved the way to a reimagined new normal and hybrid higher education. This new development in learning and education must be valued and acknowledged in order to adjust and move forward with ease towards new learning modalities.

  • WVSU, Florida State University conduct ABC+ project

    by Gian Kyra A. Morones and Shanea Mae A. Nalaunan / ILLO

     

    West Visayas State University – College of Education (WVSU-COE) held the Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension Workshop in preparation for pre-service teachers on August 8, 2022.

    The event was facilitated by Florida State University (FSU), as one of the technical assistants that provide one public university in each chosen region. West Visayas State University collaborated with international experts Dr. Ana Marty and Kate Schell, literacy specialists from FSU, on pre-service teacher education to develop syllabus and instructional modules for instructors and students, and train instructors who will deliver literacy courses. Its objective is  to create courses that focus on literacy development and beginning reading to be a part of the College of Education curricula for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (BECE) and Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEE).

    WVSU will receive technical assistance from ABC+ for these courses to be taught. This project is holding another event this August 11 and 12, 2022 aimed to  develop and improve the early literacy training for pre-service teachers.

    The Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, in collaboration with West Visayas State University College of Education, held the activity as part of their agreement with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to implement ABC+: Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines—a 5-year project that aims to improve literacy skills, math, and social and emotional learning skills for Kindergarten through Grade 3 in Regions V (Bicol) and VI (West Visayas).

    Dr. Joselito P. Villaruz, WVSU President, handing the certificates to Dr. Ana Marty (left) and Kate Schell (right)

  • The WVSU – College of Law’s Project E-Hustisya

    West Visayas State University – College of Law (WVSU-COL) implemented a project that focuses on legally assisting the marginalized sectors of Iloilo City.

    The WVSU – College of Law’s Center for Law Advocacy is a legal clinic that provides legal assistance for marginalized sectors. However, what sets E-Hustisya apart is that it specifically focuses on abused women and children.

    In Rule 138 – Law Student Practice Rule by the Supreme Court, students can act as lawyers and handle cases as long as a supervising lawyer is present. Thus, Project E-Hustisya is a student-driven legal clinic with Atty. Ian Thomas M. Besana acting as their supervising lawyer. The cases of victims will be facilitated by the College of Law student lawyers through interviewing clients, preparations of documents to be filed in court, assisting a negotiation, and other legal assistance necessary.

    According to Atty. Ian Thomas M. Besana, also the college’s Associate Dean, the project had already begun conducting training for two barangays that are nearest the vicinity of the University campus—Brgy. Magsaysay and Brgy. Montinola. They are trained to carefully handle sensitive and pervasive cases regarding women and children victims. He said, “Sa barangay level pa lang kung ma resolve na siya hindi na mag file case… kay ang courts ta puno na sang cases”. However, it is essential to note that the College of Law’s Center for Law Advocacy also caters to other cases such as disputes, crimes, etc. Atty. Ian Thomas M. Besana mentioned that the College of Law aims to apply for Level 2 Training for the purpose of allowing law student practitioners to appear in courts.

    The project is led by the College of Law, in partnership with the Gender and Development Office (GAD) and the Women and Children Protection Unit (WCPU). In addition, the United Nations and European Union granted two (2) million pesos to fund the project thus, an amount of one thousand five hundred (1,500) pesos will be given to consulting victims to be utilized as financial assistance if they decide to file a case.

    Currently, the Center for Law Advocacy is open for people around Iloilo City, and even for the people around the University campus, though it is a mission to expand the project. Project E-Hustisya can be accessed through email, social media channels, and available hotlines to be provided along with booklets to be distributed by the Center for Law Advocacy called Pakigbato 101.

  • WVSU explores collab with KMUTT in Thailand

    West Visayas State University continues to expand its reach in the fulfillment of its mandates in instruction, research, and extension.
     
    With its International and Local Linkages Offie (ILLO) Director Prof. Edel Subong-Csoka , VP for Research, Innovation, and Extension Dr. Greta Gallo Gabinete, campus administrators Dr. Dominador Lisao of the College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF) and Dr. Mary Josephine Bautista (Lambunao), and CAF Internationalization focal person Prof. Rod Reynan Gallego Laspiñas, WVSU had a discussion with King Mungkot’s University Of Technology Thonburi in Thailand regarding possible collaborations between the two institutions.
     
    The WVSU delegation was welcomed by KMUTT led by Dr. Julapot Chiravachradej.
    The vision for a sustainable society is shared by both schools. #

  • WVSU eyeing expansion with Kasetsart University

    Expanding the horizon of WVSU has always been a vision for its institutional internationalization. And a vision coming true is a milestone worth sharing with the rest of Taga-West.
     
    Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, WVSU president, has always pushed for full force internationalization. With the International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO) headed by Director Ms. Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, a visit to Kasetsart University in Thailand was made to foster collaborations, most especially in the fields of agriculture and forestry, and forensics.
     
    With the study visit and institutional expansion were VP for Research, Innovation, and Extension Dr. @Greta G. Gabinete, Campus Administrators Dr. @Dominador Lisao (College of Agriculture and Forestry-CAF) and Dr. Mary Josephine Bautista (Lambunao), and Internationalization Focal Person of CAF Prof. Rod Reynan Las Pinas. #

  • WVSU ILLO goes to Thailand for collabs

    Recently, West Visayas State University, through the International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO) headed by Director Ms. Edel Subong-Csoka, took the journey in #T3ThaiLab for #international #expansion and #collaborations.
     
    Together with partners, University of Antique and Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology (now State University of Northern Negros) , WVSU visited the Kingdom of Thailand.
     
    WVSU University President Dr. Joselito Villaruz Bebong Villaruz has always envisioned the University’s full force internationalization. This may be just “baby steps” but it’s meant to conquer. #padayonwvsu #WVSUexcels
     
    First stop is Mahidol University International College.

  • WVSU President attends Erasmus + Capacity Building Project Meeting

    WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz and CBM Dean Dr. Ma. Corazon Samorin attending the Meeting for the Project FAB Master’s Programme in Family Business Management (Contract No 619264-EPP-1-2020-1-KH-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP).
     
    FAB is one of the projects of the University under the Erasmus+ Capacity Building projects in the field of Higher Education (CBHE).
     
    Present are partner representatives from Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal

  • WVSU, ATIFTAP partner for global business conferences

    West Visayas State University (WVSU) and the Association of Training Institutions for Foreign Trade in Asia and the Pacific (ATIFTAP) formalized their partnership for the ATIFTAP’s 16th Global Business Conferences by signing a memorandum of agreement on April 13, 2022.

    In the agreement, WVSU will provide reviewers with doctoral degrees as peer reviewers for the research manuscripts. The university is expected to have at least ten faculty members subscribed to ATIFTAP membership and promote the association’s Global Business Conferences to WVSU’s Academic and Industry Networks.

    Additionally, ATIFTAP recognizes WVSU as a non-exclusive partner of its Global Business Conferences by providing the university a certificate as a co-organizer of the event series.

    The partners will hold online conferences on April 23, June 11, and October 15, 2022.

  • CHED Chairman leads internationalization mission of Philippine higher education institutions to Canada

    Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Popoy De Vera led a High-level Higher Education Partnership Mission to Canada to expand opportunities to engage in academic and research partnerships focused on health sciences, renewable energy, agriculture, engineering and technology, data science and disaster risk management, among others.

    He was accompanied by CHED Region I OIC-Director Danilo B. Bose, Trade Commissioner for Education of the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines Ms. Angel Cachuela and officials from eight (8) Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs) namely, Mariano Marcos State University, Iloilo Science and Technology University, West Visayas State University, Southern Leyte State University, World Citi Colleges and WCC Aeronautical and Technological College, Tarlac Agricultural University, Tarlac State University and Universidad
    de Dagupan.

    The mission provided an opportunity for CHED and delegates to visit and meet with nine (9) post-secondary institutions in Ottawa and Toronto such as Carleton University, University of Ottawa, Algonquin College, Ryerson University, York University, University of Toronto, Niagara College, Seneca College and Mohawk College.

    As part of the mission, CHED and the Embassy of Canada in the Philippines organized the Philippines-Canada Education Networking session, an event that hosted about 20 Canadian education stakeholders on March 29, 2022 at the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa.

    During the event, De Vera signed Joint Statements on Higher Education Cooperation with Universities Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada to expand education collaboration in areas such as student mobility, Indigenous Peoples education, research aligned with the UN SDGs, faculty and staff development, Microcredentials, applied research, and inclusion of in-demand skills in the curriculum.

    Letters of Intent were also signed by Universities Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada with the eight (8) Philippine HEIs. The event announced and celebrated 11 MOUs forged between Canadian and Philippine institutions over the course of the pandemic in various discipline areas.

    Aside from these milestones, CHED signed a Joint Statement on Higher Education Cooperation with Ryerson University on March 30, 2022 and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Academic Collaboration with York University on March 31, 2022 to initiate collaboration at the post-secondary and post-graduate levels.

    On April 6, 2022 shortly after his return to the Philippines, De Vera virtually joined Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Peter MacArthur to witness the signing of the MOU between WCC Aeronautical and Technological College with British Columbia Institute of Technology on aircraft maintenance engineering and avionics.

    “The success of CHED’s mission to Canada is rooted in an appreciation of Canada’s strengths in education delivery and research across disciplines and a shared vision to foster internationalization between Canadian and Philippine higher education institutions,” said Canadian Ambassador Peter MacArthur. “So we look forward to further enabling more trans-Pacific brain circulation between students and faculty.”

    “CHED’s mission to Canada is a testament to the strong collaboration between Canada and the Philippines on higher education internationalization,” De Vera said.

    “In recent years, the significant growth of academic and research partnerships between Canadian and Philippine higher education institutions has fostered cross-border collaboration between countries, expanding access to international education opportunities to Canadian and Philippine students and faculty,” he added

     

    J. PROSPERO E. DE VERA III, DPA
    Chairman
    Commission on Higher Education