Category: News

Categories
News

WVSU ranks 46th Best University in PH, 2nd in WV

By Mark Lawrence Articuna
Layout by Fritz Jaime Sumbo

West Visayas State University in Iloilo City, Philippines ranks as the 46th Best University out of 229 universities in the country, according to a ranking released by EduRank.org today, May 2, 2023.

It is also the second best University in the Western Visayas region, trailing only behind the University of the Philippines-Visayas (UPV), which is ranked 17th in the nation’s overall rankings. 

Furthermore, WVSU has indexed 176 scientific papers and an estimated 831 citation count of published papers. 

EduRank also calculated WVSU’s acceptance rate of 76% based on the admissions to applicants ratio and other circumstantial enrollment data.

Top 100 universities in the Philippines ranked by EduRank is based on research outputs, non-academic prominence, and alumni influence. The rankings are determined by analyzing 373K citations received by 30.4K academic publications made by 229 universities from the Philippines, the popularity of 889 recognized alumni, and the largest reference database available.

“EduRank.org is an independent metric-based ranking of 14,131 universities from 183 countries. We use a proprietary database with an index of 44,909,300 scientific publications and 1,237,541,960 citations to rank universities across 246 research topics. In the overall rankings we add non-academic prominence and alumni popularity indicators. Always check official university websites for the latest enrollment information.”

Source: https://edurank.org/geo/ph/?fbclid=IwAR2SmlFeJ7SALr_3BkJRlSnN2izptNn5EHQXUksZo9XaBifWbMNl4vXqpq4

Categories
News

BusAd Graduating Students Receive International Certificate in Soft Skills Training

By: Justine Jade C. Perez

Photo courtesy: Junior Administrators and Managers Society (JAMS), Jaymee Sulatra

After undergoing numerous theoretical and practical sessions, 150 fourth-year Business Administration students of West Visayas State University – College of Business and Management students earned their Soft Skills Training from the Thailand-based company RD Soft Skills Management Consulting during the Internship Culminating Activity dubbed “Getting Ready for The Corporate World” at the New Academic Building Function Hall, May 3-4, 2023.

Miss Rowena Diaz, Founder and Managing Director of RD Soft Skills Management Consulting, supervised by Ad Nano Technology from Thailand, shared her expertise in ethical values and personality which can enhance professional relationships.

“Always remember that gaining and mastering soft skills is a lifelong objective. Try to develop these skills during your academic years by participating in various activities or attending workshops. Not only does soft skills training make for happier and more fulfilled students, but it can also have a positive impact when it comes to your performance in school,” Miss Rowena said as she elucidates the importance of the said convention.

The two-day talk divided the group of Business Administrations students sections A and B, respectively. Topics encompassed concepts in personal development, power dressing, maintaining a positive attitude, code of ethics, time management, and emotional intelligence. The highlight of the event was where student participants’ abrupt wit was tested through a mock job interview as they were asked one by one potential questions they would encounter in their job applications.

“It was entertaining yet informative. The interactive setup of the event was like a refresher course, and what exactly the graduating students need before we head on to the real adventure of corporate life,” says Anya Therese Lope, Chairperson of BSBA Financial Management, as she defines her experience.

The activity was conducted by the Junior Administrators and Managers Society to cap off the seniors’ on-the-job training.

JAMS Chairperson Cyrein Luna shares the success of the event, “This training made us realize that there’s still room for improvement and that learning is a never-ending process. This event was a great way for graduating students like us to learn new skills and gain practical experience in a specific field. Such seminars are extremely valuable for us graduating students as it allows us to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting, gain real-world experience, and develop professional and soft skills.”

As of this writing, The WVSU CBM is the only school that has partnered with the aforementioned international company to help polish its students as they reach the pinnacle of success in the workplace.

Categories
News

Friends of Cancer Kids Foundation visits WVSU – College of Communication

By Perie Arlos /The Mediator
Photo by Kay Charles Jemery Lavente/The Mediator

Smiles and music filled the West Visayas State University – College of Communication last May 5, 2023 as 18 kids from Friends of Cancer Kids Foundation visited the said college.

Coming from different municipalities, they served as an audience for Cinco de Mayo: Fiesta Espanola, brought by BA Broadcasting 4-A class as their final culminating activity in their subject FL 107 Spanish.

It’s a celebration of Spanish culture; with their artistic dances, lively music, and even sumptuous foods prepared to taste the palatable Spanish tradition.

An initiative of Prof. Maria Rosario Victoria De Guzman, with the college organizations, Studiositas Honor Society, Broadcast Guild, and Young Journalist Society, these kids had fun with exciting activities of storytelling, coloring, and an on-site tour around the college.

More than just a simple capstone activity; this activity aims to bring happiness to children despite their daily adversities. As the event concludes with a community dance and gift-giving, these guests and guardians will bring home a memory to remember.

Categories
Linkages News

WVSU STUDENTS’ VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE ISLAND OF PANAY

By Ma. Antonette D. Aguilar
Photos By Joseph Nebres

WVSU Main Campus students attended a virtual tour of the topography of the Island of Panay, presented by Mr. Albert L. Galan, Head of Municipality Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) Lambunao, Iloilo.

Aside from the virtual tour, Mr. Galan also discussed with the students the different weather stations they have and how it operates. During the discussion, Mr. Galan showed the high-risk places where dangers could plausibly occur once the natural disaster attacks.

The WVSU College of Forestry (CAF) proposes building a ‘dome’ in the Municipality of Lambunao. This artificial forest aims to rehabilitate wildlife and breed endemic animals in captivity to later release in the wild.

The activity helped the students from the main campus to get closer to mother nature and value our environment more.

Categories
Linkages News

WVSU Celebrates International Mother Earth Day 2023

By Ma. Antonette D. Aguilar
Photos By Joseph Nebres

International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO) collaborated with the College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF) and Municipality of Lambunao to celebrate Earth Day 2023.

Headed by Campus Administrator Dr. Dominador Lisao, students from different colleges of WVSU Main Campus and CAF took part in the lecture conducted by Prof. Maria Lea Escantilla-Lebuna, EnP., as well as an orientation for weather monitoring and river clean-up given by Mr. Albert L. Galan, LDRRMO III at Lambunao Campus on April 24, 2023.

Students enjoyed visiting Mariit Wildlife Conservation Park, which hosts endemic species like Visayan Spotted Deer, Visayan Warty Pig, Visayan Writhed Hornbill, etc. The park intends to rescue endangered species that are native to the island of Panay. The conservationists breed these animals with the threat of their numbers declining.

Eventually, students from both campuses, with the help of the Local Government Unit of Lambunao, proceeded to Uli-an River for river clean up and planting the river grass along the bank, which is known to aid in the prevention of landslides.

WVSU supports programs and activities concerning the environment. The internationalization event was beneficial not only for students but as well as for people and mother nature.

Categories
Linkages News

Philippine-European collaboration concludes at WVSU today

By Hazel P. Villa and Antoniette D. Cortez

ILOILO City — The Final Dissemination and Send-off of Project FORTH, a collaboration between Philippine and European universities that aims to empower teachers in challenged areas in the Philippines, concludes today, March 27, 2023, at the Cultural Center and Teleconference Room of the West Visayas State University (WVSU). This event is the second to the last leg of the project.

Project FORTH was launched in WVSU in February 2019 and Iloilo was one of the pilot areas. It succeeded in obtaining the approval of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in 2020 for the offering of the degree Master of Teaching in Challenged Areas (MAEd TCA) which is now available at WVSU, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Manila, and the University of St. La Salle (USLS) in Bacolod City.

Today’s activities, which start at 8:30 a.m., will involve the WVSU College of Education students as the audience. The program will include a Walkthrough of Project FORTH, a presentation of the impact of Project FORTH in Philippine Higher Education, and speeches by two principals and a student who have taken up MAEd Teaching in Challenged Areas. They will talk about the Imprints of Project FORTH in

Philippine Higher Education. WVSU President Joselito Villaruz will also deliver a speech entitled “Ways Forward for WVSU.”

The European partner institutions will share their experiences with their Philippine counterparts, and Project FORTH Designer Julia Gonzales will speak on “Changing the Narrative: Project FORTH Vision and Beyond.”

The second part of the Final Dissemination and Send-off will take place at the Teleconference Room of the WVSU, where the participants will share their experiences of DepEd and University Partners. They will also discuss the outputs of FORTH, such as infusion in the Bachelor of Arts Program, majoring in Teaching in Challenged Areas, and materials developed and publications.

The afternoon session will feature European and WVSU partners speaking on Project FORTH and Beyond,

FORTH’s impact, and “Visioning the Association for Teacher Educators and Teachers in Challenged Areas.” The program will end at 3 p.m., after which the Project FORTH Team will proceed to Davao City for the last leg of the Final Dissemination and Send-off.

On March 23, 2023, implementers, representatives of partner schools, officials of the Department of Education and CHED gathered for the formal send-off at the Savoy Hotel in Pasay City. A series of activities followed, including visits on March 24 to Centro Escolar University and PUP and their Manila partner schools and communities, March 25 in USLS Bacolod, March 26 at an Aeta community in Don Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental, March 27 in WVSU, and March 28 and 29 in USeP Davao and its partner community for a project called “Education behind bars.”

Categories
Linkages News

PH-EU collab helping teachers in challenged areas close to good reviews

By Hazel P. Villa, Rosemarie Felimon, Anne Cortez

PASAY City – A major collaboration between Philippine and European universities ended on a positive note with good reviews given its various successes on March 23, 2023 at the Savoy Hotel here.

The 4-year collaboration is Project FORTH (Formation of Teachers in Challenged Areas) which seeks to empower teachers who are working in challenging areas and contexts that are out of the ordinary.

A major achievement of the said Project is the approval of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in 2020 for the offering of the degree Master of Teaching in Challenged Areas (MAEd TCA) in the following universities: In Manila – the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP); and in Western Visayas – University of St. La Salle (USLS) and West Visayas State University (WVSU).

In his speech, WVSU President Joselito Villaruz said, “Project Forth has widened the horizon of what higher institutions stand for and that is to give impetus to the sector that has been left behind so that the gains of development shall be shared to the marginalized sector of this society.”

Also present at the Send Off were representatives of the three European universities leading in educational reform and international organizations in Europe. They are the University of Groningen in the Netherlands, University of Deusto in Bilbao, Spain, and the University of Bologna in Bologna, Italy together with the following institutions: Education for an Interdependent World in Brussels, Belgium which is the project co-coordinator and Fundacion Intered in Madrid, Spain that coordinates NGOs’ development work in different parts of the world.

The Final Dissemination and Send Off lasts until March 29, 2023 with key implementers and module coordinators visiting partner schools and communities on the following dates: March 24 in CEU and PUP and their Manila partner schools and communities highlighting their outputs as program in-charge, March 25 in USLS Bacolod, March 26 at an Aeta community in Don Salvador Benedicto in Negros Occidental, March 27 in WVSU, March 28 and 29 in USeP Davao and its partner community for a project called “Education behind bars.”

Discussed in the March 23 Send Off were the project’s outputs, the impact of the FORTH partnership with Europe, the envisioning of the project’s future, the Department of Education’s experiences with the participating universities, outreach to the other universities, and “visioning” the Association for Teacher Educators and Teachers in Challenged Areas.

Categories
News

WVSU COP joins Sinamba sa Regatta 2023

By Joseph Nebres

Grupo del Oeste of West Visayas State University College of Physical Education Sports Culture Arts and Recreation (PESCAR) showcased their lively dance performance during the Sinamba sa Regatta last Saturday, March 18, 2023.

Dressed in their vibrant attires of the Grupo del Oeste put the spectators in awe during the street dance competition as they elegantly dance with the rhythm and the beats of the “Saot kag Amba” the official dance fest theme song the along the streets of Iznart and Calle Real.

During the main dance competition, the group displayed wide array of exceptional talent and skills in performing arts as they galvanize the stage with their radiant costumes, well-executed dance moves, and electrifying originally composed music showcasing the University’s dedication and commitment in promoting excellence in culture and arts.

The Grupo del Oeste won 2nd place along with two special awards namely best in Street Dance and best in Original Composition Award.

This success was a result of the students’ hard-work and perseverance with the exceptional guidance of Prof. Liberty R. Porras as the group’s choreographer and overall director together with Prof. Ruswil Ledesma and Prof. Ronie Libutaque as Musical Directors.

In an interview Prof. Porras extends the College of PESCAR gratitude to the University Cultural Affairs Office for making this showcase of talents possible and to all those who showed their undying support during their journey from the preparation until the event.  

Grupo el Oeste performed again the following day on Villa Beach Iloilo during the Paraw Regatta 2023 highlight activity.

The Sinamba sa Regatta is an annual samba dance competition held during the celebration of Paraw Regatta Festival.

Categories
News

WVSU CAT: SANA ALL

by Leo Almonte, MDC

It’s this time of the year when WVSU conducts its College Admission Test (CAT). As early as seven in the morning, droves of examinees started to converge at the entrances of WVSU along Luna Street, causing medium-to-heavy traffic in the vicinity.

Walking inside the campus, the examinees exuded a silent and determined aura, like gladiators stepping into an arena. For most of them, enrolling at WVSU is their first giant step toward their life-long goals. The students know: they are going through the proverbial eye of the needle. WVSU (Main Campus) will only accept 1,500+ from the 10,300+ applicants.

The examinees came from the provinces of Aklan, Capiz, Guimaras, and other regions, including Mindanao. Walking through the corridor of Quezon Hall, the students are dead quiet, and nothing seems to exist but their test papers. Taking the test while in their zone, I could almost hear their heartbeats during that never-wracking moment.

I observed a late student running through the campus toward the New Academic Building. He stopped for a while, took deep breaths, looked up at the sky, and made several signs of the cross before proceeding to the testing room.

So much is at stake, especially for those parents who cannot afford to send their children to college. Such an awareness adds to the pressure of taking the CAT since making it to WVSU is a life-changing milestone. Outside the university, relatives wait patiently under the sun amidst the smoke and noise of passing vehicles.

I saw mothers standing on the sidewalks, looking at the university buildings from a distance as if whispering prayers for their children while they took the examination. Fathers were ready to hand over their “baon” to their kids as soon as they exited the gate.

We say “sana all” with a mixed tinge of hope, regret, and even envy when we experience social and economic disparities or personal shortcomings.

If only the university could accept more applicants but limited resources hold it back. Yet, WVSU is never stagnant. It continues to pave a road map towards expansion so more students can benefit from its academic services.

We can all work to create a future where fewer Filipinos are saying “sana all” because more of us are accomplishing our goals and achieving what we want in life. So, when the result of the WVSU CAT is out, I still say (not with regret) but with hope -: SANA ALL.

Categories
News

WVSU Hosts Futures Thinking Seminar-Workshop

by Leo G. Almonte, MDC

The West Visayas State University hosted the 2nd Futures Thinking Seminar-Workshop last February 17, 2023, at the Diversion 21 Hotel,Iloilo City.

Aklan State University, Capiz State University, Carlos Hilado Memorial State University, Central Philippines State University, Guimaras State University, Iloilo Science and Technology University, Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology, Northern Iloilo State University, Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology, University of Antique and West Visayas State University participated in the high-level workshop represented by their university presidents and vice presidents.

WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz welcomed the participants in his address, while Dr. Raul F. Muyong gave a message afterward. Mr. Emmanuel De Guia, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Networking PhilsFutures, provided an overview of the activity and expected output, together with Ms. Jalaine Joyce Malabanan, PhilFutures Chief.

The seminar-workshop aims to produce capstone projects on each institution’s research niche anchored in the Sustainable Development Goals and regional development priorities. Participating HEIs in the region came together to identify an emerging Futures Agenda, mainly geared towards institutional capstone projects.

Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz presented WVSU’s capstone project entitled “Mental Wellness for Resilient Filipinos,” a research-based initiative to institutionalize solutions to mental wellness in the region. The presentation identified the problem, competitive landscape, solutions, framework, work plan, timeline, and key metrics.

Participants came up with recommendations to sustain the Futures Agenda and ensure the implementation of their action plan. Building a “Futures Thinking culture” through the facilitation of seminars among faculty, research enthusiasts, and students; and enhancement of middle managers’ skills in risk management and governance are among the recommended action points agreed upon by the participants.