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WVSU on University ASEAN Day theme: ‘Women issues never end’

As a way to celebrate the first-ever ASEAN Day in West Visayas State University, women’s issues were highlighted as a theme for the 54th ASEAN Celebration, says the University’s Center for International Linkages (CILPI) Director, Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka.

 

In her message, Prof. Csoka believed that “women issues never end” as an answer to why focus on women in the panel discussion.

 

She also told that regardless of gender, religion, ethnicity, and political system, this ASEAN Day celebration is also a reminder to all the ASEAN brothers and sisters that “we look after them, [and] we protect each other” as a way to better prepare for uncertainties so that “we could prosper together as one.”

 

“This is high time to look around and see what we could contribute not just by being keyboard warriors but by being the change that we want,” Prof.  Csoka stated.

 

Meanwhile, Dr. Jeanette J. Simpas, Director of Gender and Development Office, said that women’s participation in the community is one step towards a world where someday, women will participate on equal grounds with men.

 

“I hope that this panel discussion will bring you insights to our work and mission as people who care for one another and that we will use our learnings to reflect on how we can benefit from different perspectives of our panelists to further women’s empowerment and development in the communities,” Dr. Simpas said.

 

Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, University President, was also thankful for having this panel discussion initiated by the CILPI Office, which will further promote the country’s sense of regional identity in Southeast Asia.

 

“Over the years, we have witnessed how cultural and academic exchanges have nourished between and among ASEAN member countries and this afternoon’s event is a clear manifestation of West Visayas State University’s support to the ASEAN community,” Dr. Villaruz shared.

 

This event was the 1st ASEAN Day Celebration in WVSU with the theme We Care, We Prepare,  We Prosper in honor of Brunei Darussalam’s chairmanship of this year’s anniversary of the Association of SouthEast Asian Nations, to encourage the WVSU community more to learn the different cultures and issues surrounding the ASEAN, and  in partnership with the Gender and Development Office, Development Communicators’ Society, and Young Journalists’ Society.# -Jonar Dorado/CILPI

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COE: Launching of new Specialization MAED-TCA

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De Vera to graduates: look back at the years of hard work and determination

“Let your graduation remind you of the gains that you have achieved collectively and individually.”- J. Prosper E. De Vera III, Chairperson of Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

 

While the pandemic has hindered the education institutions to initiate face-to-face graduation, Dr. De Vera believed that it did not stop the CHED’s aspirations to produce competitive and quality graduates in a form of flexible learning.

 

In his speech during the 2020 & 2021 West Visayas State University Online Commencement Exercises, Dr. De Vera has projected honor and displayed a salutation to the graduates who successfully championed the difficulties of remote learning.

 

“I understand your frustration of missing a live graduation pero saludo ako sa inyo dahil nagpatagumpayan ninyo ang mga hamon ng pandemya at naipagpatuloy sa kabila ng mga balakid at limitasyon at ngayon ay mas handa na kayong harapin ang susunod na yugto ng inyong buhay,” Dr. De Vera said.

 

Aside from gracing the graduation rights, Dr. De Vera has also witnessed stories of success among students who are facing difficulties in online learning where he also shared it during his graduation message.

 

Exuding pride and happiness, Dr. De Vera shared that even during a pandemic, there are more than 1.6 million Filipinos in more than 200 public universities who now continue to receive quality education for free.

 

It might have been hard for the students but he also ensured that the CHED will continue to nourish the skills of the learners who are dedicated to working independently by adapting policy in the new normal.

 

“You and your university were able to courageously respond to the needs of the times. Move forward as one and rise above the challenges. Now in the part of CHED, we acted quickly and conscientiously at the onset of pandemic and devised ways to allow continued access to quality education through flexible modes of learning,” Dr. De Vera emphasized.

 

Dr. De Vera is also optimistic that the graduates will become active contributors to the national growth and competitiveness of the country.

 

He also urged the graduates to make a distinctive mark in society by transforming lives through the competencies they acquired anchored to the university’s core values.  

 

“Never stop learning and continue to pursue activities that will serve as precursors of discovery to ensure continuous productivity and sustainability for our future generation,” Dr. De Vera concluded.

-Jonar Dorado/CILPI

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WVSU holds first ever virtual graduation rites

For the first time, the West Visayas State University (WVSU) aired its 119th Commencement Exercise through virtual set up on Wednesday, August 11, 2021 via live-streams on WVSU Facebook Page and WVSU WebAdmin YouTube channel.

For 119 years, WVSU has lived up to its commitment to develop lifelong learners and transform communities as agents of change. This year the university commends the 449 graduates for the Class 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 who received their bachelors’, masters’, and doctoral degrees, as conferred by the WVSU President, Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz.

The virtual ceremony marks as the culmination of all the hardwork by the graduates from different Colleges in the University. Out of the 449 total number of graduates, 284 of it were from the Class 2019-2020 and 165 from Class 2020-2021: College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF), 11; College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), 127; College of Business and Management (CBM), 23; College of Communication (COC), 8; College of Education (COE), 242; College of Information and Communications Technology (CICT), 4; College of Nursing (CON), 8; and College of PESCAR, 26.

Present in the pre-recorded virtual celebration of perseverance and excellence of the WVSU graduates was the Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Dr. J. Prospero E. De Vera III who was the keynote speaker. Dr. De Vera commended the success stories of everyone despite the problems and challenges caused by the pandemic.

Atty. Dennis T. Ventillacion, President of the WVSU Federated Alumni Associations, led the Pledge of Induction of the graduating classes.

The Graduates’ Prayer was led by the Most Outstanding Graduate from the College of Education, Dr. Edsel O. Coronado.

-Zennia Mirasol/CILPI

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Internationalization highlighted in CHED forum; WVSU named as one of PHE project recipients

“Know and understand what internationalization is.”

- Atty. Lily Freida M. Milla, CESO IV.

  This sums up the very message of CHED Webinar on Responding Higher Education Challenges through Internationalization, July 23.

       Whereas, West Visayas State University was selected as one of the 14 public universities in the Philippines to be part of CHED’s Fostering World Class Philippine Universities in line with the Building the Internationalization Competitiveness of the Philippine Higher Education Project.

      During her keynote speech, Atty. Milla quoted International Relations officers (IROs) PH, “We envision the internationalization of Philippine higher education as a driver of quality, relevant, and sustainable trailblazing opportunities for institutions, agencies, and other stakeholders that will transform the country into a knowledge-based society.”

     The OIC office of the Deputy Executive Director also discussed the Internationalization as a DRIVER of Philippine Higher Education.

     This strategy was integrated to develop high-quality and high-impact internationalization initiatives, re-engineer existing policies, institutionalize internationalization, vitalize inter-agency cooperation, engage industries and related stakeholders, and reinforce compelling messages and incentives.

     However, Atty. Milla shared that the internationalization approaches of CHED were greatly affected by the pandemic. “Until COVID-19 struck–and international education is now being challenged and in fact, the value of internationalization is again being questioned, and it is, in fact, being disputed.”

     The Fostering World Class Philippine Universities is a project to boost the global presence of the Philippine higher education sector and cultivate world-class Philippine universities.

     This was participated by 14 public universities initially selected for this project to accelerate local and global inter-university research collaboration, to improve academic reputation, to promote international initiatives and increase global reputation and engagement, to foster great international linkages, and benchmarking of Philippines HEIs with leading foreign universities.  

-Jonar Dorado/CILPI

Here is the full list of winners for the master’s level:

1st Place: “Science Teachers’ Laboratory Activity Peferences, Local Resources and Cultural Knowledge: Bases for the Development of a Placed-Based Laboratory Activity” by Aura Carmela Ferrariz-Sendico – MAEd Biological Science

2nd Place: “Caring Pedagogy: An Exploration on Distance Learning in English” by G.L. John Clavel Haro – MAEd English Language Teaching 

3rd Place: “Development of Instructional Materials Anchored on Universal Design for Learning” by Diospyros C. Fuentes – MEd Special Education 

Meanwhile, the winning doctoral dissertations are as follows:

1st Place:  “Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Non-Biology Specialists: Basis for the Development of a Teaching Guide” by Ferolyn J. Balajadia – PhD in Science Education (Biology). 

2nd Place: “Development of a Peace Education Package for Higher Education” by Aphrile L. De Angel – PhD in Education (Curriculum Development)

3rd Place: “Course Facilitators’ Teaching Approaches and Challenges: Inputs to the Development of an Issue-Based Instructional Model and Course Syllabus in Science Technology and Society (STS)” by Aldrex A. Barrientos – PhD in Science Education (Physical Science)

-Jonar Dorado/CILPI

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WVSU-COE names best master’s, doctoral thesis

Held via online conferencing, the West Visayas State University-College of Education Graduate School gave recognition to the best research outputs both on master’s and doctoral level, July 19.

For the master’s level, among the winners was Aura Carmela Ferrariz-Sendico, MAEd Biological Science who bested other seven research presenters with her research entitled “Science Teachers’ Laboratory Activity Peferences, Local Resources and Cultural Knowledge: Bases for the Development of a Placed- Based Laboratory Activity.”

Meanwhile, the “Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Non-Biology Specialists: Basis for the Development of a Teaching Guide” by Ferolyn J. Balajadia – PhD in Science Education earned the top spot in the doctoral dissertation.

“The conduct of Research Forum is anchored on the belief that our graduate students and faculty members are major contributors in realizing the university’s vision of becoming a research university,” said Dean Ricky Magno during his welcome remarks.

The forum, participated by nominees of respective research advisers, aimed to showcase different research works, disseminate significant research findings, and confer the best master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation award.

Associate Dean Dr. Antoniette D. Cortez shared that holding the first virtual research forum of the graduate school was never easy. However, through the dedication of the working committee towards the advancement of research works, they were able to pull it off without errors. 

Here is the full list of winners for the master’s level:

1st Place: “Science Teachers’ Laboratory Activity Peferences, Local Resources and Cultural Knowledge: Bases for the Development of a Placed-Based Laboratory Activity” by Aura Carmela Ferrariz-Sendico – MAEd Biological Science

2nd Place: “Caring Pedagogy: An Exploration on Distance Learning in English” by G.L. John Clavel Haro – MAEd English Language Teaching 

3rd Place: “Development of Instructional Materials Anchored on Universal Design for Learning” by Diospyros C. Fuentes – MEd Special Education 

Meanwhile, the winning doctoral dissertations are as follows:

1st Place:  “Pedagogical Content Knowledge of Non-Biology Specialists: Basis for the Development of a Teaching Guide” by Ferolyn J. Balajadia – PhD in Science Education (Biology). 

2nd Place: “Development of a Peace Education Package for Higher Education” by Aphrile L. De Angel – PhD in Education (Curriculum Development)

3rd Place: “Course Facilitators’ Teaching Approaches and Challenges: Inputs to the Development of an Issue-Based Instructional Model and Course Syllabus in Science Technology and Society (STS)” by Aldrex A. Barrientos – PhD in Science Education (Physical Science)

-Jonar Dorado/CILPI

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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