Category: News

Text and photos by John Felip Gerasol

To enhance global ties and foster cultural exchange, three Indonesian students from Institut Teknologi Sepuluh (ITS) Nopember, Surabaya, paid a courtesy visit to Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas as part of their second-day of itinerary on Nov. 10, 2023.

Mayor Treñas warmly welcomed the three Indonesian scholars, namely: Akbhar Maulana, Valeska Rianto, and Ghifary Muhammad, marking a significant stride in the internationalization efforts of West Visayas State University (WVSU).

Words by John Felip Gerasol

Photos by Joseph Nebres and John Felip Gerasol

West Visayas State University (WVSU) took a stride in fostering global understanding and cultural exchange as it celebrated International Students Day at the WVSU Cultural Center from 8:30 am to 5:00 p.m. on Nov. 17, 2023.

On its third consecutive year, the International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO) organized the event at the WVSU Cultural Center, bringing together students, faculty, and guests for a day filled with activities aimed at promoting internationalization and fostering a global mindset among the University’s diverse student body.

This year’s theme, “Empowering Students to Dream More, Learn More, Do More in a Global Mindset,” encapsulates the spirit of the celebration by emphasizing the significance of youth empowerment, expanding students’ knowledge, and promoting collective action.

Text and photos by Hazel P. Villa

Director of WVSU Public Affairs, Marketing and Communications Office

With a prolific portfolio boasting over 350 scientific articles, books, book chapters, and reports, a distinguished global health scientist, renowned for advancing science and research in the developing world, has expressed genuine admiration for the commendable research work conducted at West Visayas State University (WVSU).

Dr. Don Eliseo Prisno made this pronouncement when he spoke at the recent WVSU Workshop on World University Rankings and Research Publication organized by the University Research and Development Center last Nov. 10-11, 2023.

“All data points show that WVSU should be a top university of the country.  I have dissected and identified all the different data points; and they all lead to one conclusion–that all metrics lead to a high university rank,” said Dr. Prisno,  editor-in-chief of Public Health Challenges of Wiley, and deputy editor-in-chief of BMC Global Health Research and Policy, a Quartile 1 journal with an Impact Factor of 8.7.

Dr. Prisno noted the following indicators that he said makes WVSU’s efforts impressive: Webometrics ranks it at number 17 in the country, it has one of the top scientists of the PH based on Scopus, has a substantial number of Scopus papers (and even much higher in number than the top universities of the country), has many AD Scientific Index and Google scholar-listed scientists with several citations, “and so many indicators that the University should be on the same level as the top universities of the Philippines”.

Asked by the workshop participants on how WVSU should capitalize on its strengths, Dr. Prisno said, “The researchers of WVSU should focus on publishing with Scopus journals.  There should be a scale up of these publications.  The University and its researchers should promote its researches through conferences and other presentations.  There should be a substantial increase in research grants.  The students should be encouraged to publish.  And lastly, the university journals need to be strengthened.”

Dr. Prisno, who has a PhD in Global Health from Cardiff University, has supported governments and universities worldwide in enhancing health research capacities during his extensive travels to 150 countries and territories for scientific work and as a frequent international speaker and consultant.

The West Visayas State University (WVSU) College of Law’s Vox Populi Debate Team emerged as the champion of the “IP Circle League: The Debate Finals Round” held on November 13, 2023, at the Intellectual Property Office in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Faith Montalban, Hammil Rainard Distor, and Lawrence Frankie Locsin, along with their coach Atty. Federic Loise S. Regencia, represented the university against the debate team from Rizal Memorial Colleges, Inc., School of Law in Davao City.

The College of Law Dean, Pauline Grace B. Alfuente, and Associate Dean Ian Thomas M. Besana were also present at the venue to show their support for the team.

For more Information and Updates

www.wvsu.edu.ph

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WVSU Congratulates Rico Lopez Silvestre, a graduate of West Visayas State University – College of Agriculture and Forestry (WVSU-CAF) for placing 7th at the recent Foresters Licensure Examination held on October 17 and 18, 2023.

The WVSU community is proud of you.

West Visayas State University joins the nation in celebrating the Indigenous Peoples Month. Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1906, the month of October is declared as the National Indigenous Peoples Month. This year’s theme is “Buhay naDunong: Pagkamalikhain at Kalikasan” (Living Heritage: Creativity and Nature). It highlights the rich tapestry of indigenous culture and the importance of nature in sustaining and nourishing intangible cultural heritage. #BuhaynaDunongPagkamalikhainatKalikasan #Dayaw2023

Picture credit: NCCA official facebook page

Students and faculty from different institutions in Panay took part in a public forum titled “1^st Public Forum on Research in Mathematics and Statistics (PFORMS)”, Friday, October 6.

The event, attended by faculty researchers, and undergraduate and graduate students in Mathematics, Statistics, and Mathematics Education, focused on dissemination of research outputs in support to the goal of the university on creating, innovating, and generating new knowledge and technology through research engagements and creative outputs.

Dr. Eden Delight P. Miro, Chair of the Department of Mathematics of Ateneo de Manila University, graced the forum as the resource person. Her presentation, titled “Mathematics in Theory and in the Real World,” explored the inherent beauty of Mathematics and its profound real-world applications. Dr. Miro also shared valuable wisdom with aspiring researchers, encouraging them to embrace the unknown and conquer it fearlessly.

The public forum was organized by the Mathematics Department of the College of Arts and Sciences at the 4^th Floor of the Research and Extension Building 1, in partnership with CAS Research Office and the Society of Applied Mathematics Students. It exemplified the university’s commitment to nurturing research excellence and to encouraging fruitful collaborations and the exchange of innovative ideas among local and student researchers.

The forum provided a platform for the Master of Arts in Mathematics candidates to present their on-going researches and findings to the public. Notable research presentations included “Mathematical Modeling of COVID-19 and Dengue Co-infection” by Wyeth Ian C. Blase, “Point Pattern Analysis of Dengue Cases in Panay Island” by Jovelyn F. Gadian, and “Hamiltonian Circuits and Coded Paths in Generalized Petersen Graphs via Lattice Model” by Jack Mario Brian D. Ancuna. It also featured short lectures by the faculty researchers including “Introduction to Differential Equations Modeling” by Dr. Alexander J. Balsomo, “A Glimpse on Spatial Point Pattern Analysis” by Dr. Geneveve M. Parreño-Lachica, and “On Hamiltonian Circuits and Coded Paths” by Mr. Keith Lester A. Mallorca.

PFORMS was a success, fostering a vibrant atmosphere of learning, discovery, and collaboration among students and faculty members. It served as a venue for nurturing research interest in mathematics and statistics and showcasing the university’s dedication to advancing mathematical and statistical research and knowledge

West Visayas State University was awarded as one of the Outstanding Partners in Statistical Planning, Policy, and Coordination – Regional Category last September 29, 2023 at Zuri Hotel, Iloilo City by the Philippine Statistics Authority – Western Visayas.

WVSU was one of the agencies recognized by PSA-Region 6 at the Outstanding PSA Stakeholders Appreciation Ceremony, commemorating the 10^th Anniversary of the agency. Various stakeholders and partners from government agencies, private organizations, civil society, and academia were commended for their invaluable contributions through their distinctive perspectives, expertise, resources, and initiatives that have played pivotal roles in the achievement of PSA’s programs and activities.

The award was received by Dr. Alexander J. Balsomo, OIC-Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Prof. Shirley D. Cabico, Chair of the Mathematics Department. Dr. Balsomo served as the project leader of the WVSU-Guimaras PSC Partnership on Data Analytics that primarily aimed to train statistical, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and other technical personnel in the Province of Guimaras and other PSC member-offices or organizations on data collection, management, review and validation, and visualization and infographics.

The partnership commenced in 2021 that initially focused on Statistical Training for Infographics, specifically emphasizing the IDeA of Data Visualization. Last 2022, the project centered at Data-Driven Decision Making, concentrating on Data Management using Excel. The third cycle, scheduled for November this year, will center around Capacity Development Activity on Data Analysis, Statistical Presentation, and Report Packaging.

By Keith Brian Villar

Photos courtesy of MIS

A comprehensive training and orientation program for various modules of the Integrated University Information System (IUIS) promises improved efficiency, streamlined processes, and an enhanced user experience across West Visayas State University’s various campuses, departments, and offices.

The IUIS Implementation Phase 1 took place from Sept. 27 to Oct. 4, 2023, at the Reference Section of the WVSU Library and had 26 participants from the University’s six external campuses, departments, and offices, including Finance, Registrar, Management Information System, Student Affairs, and Academic Affairs, among others.

The program aimed to familiarize participants with the system’s modules and functionality, fostering a collaborative atmosphere for a seamless transition.

The event’s agenda was structured to cover a wide array of IUIS modules, ensuring that participants gained a comprehensive understanding of the system. These modules included Accounting, Cashier, Registrar/Academic, Scheduler, Faculty, and Student.

Photos by Joseph Nebres

The culinary heritage of the province of Antique was highlighted in a public presentation of a doctoral dissertation by a candidate from the WVSU College of Education Graduate School, focusing on the tangible and intangible aspects of food traditions passed down through generations of local gatekeepers, forming the basis for the development of a culinary school management model.

Mary Rose Gemma S. Rodriguez, president of Advance Central College in San Jose, Antique, presented her dissertation titled “Unearthing the Culinary Heritage of Antique through the Local Gatekeepers: Basis for the Development of a Culinary School Management Model” on September 28, 2023, at the Center for Teaching Excellence. Her adviser is Dr. John Erwin Pedroso.

The qualitative research study exploring the intricate tapestry of Antique’s culinary heritage had the following themes: (1) Hands to Stomach: Antique’s Culinary Practices, (2) Exploring the Rich Tapestry of Antique’s Food Customs, (3) Vast Windows of Opportunities for Antique, and (4) Explicating Stories of Struggles.