Category: News

West Visayas State University (WVSU) kicked off the first part of its teacher training workshop today, March 13, 2025, featuring insights from English Language Fellow of U.S. Embassy, Ms. Maureen Rooney. The workshop aims to enhance educators’ communication skills, promote inclusive classroom practices, and explore the integration of artificial intelligence in language learning.

Dr. Greta Gabinete, WVSU Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension, welcomed participants from various colleges and external campuses. In her opening remarks, she emphasized the university’s commitment to fostering an environment of continuous learning and collaboration. Dr. Gabinete highlighted the importance of equipping educators with not only the technical skills required in modern classrooms but also the interpersonal skills that enable them to connect deeply with students from diverse cultural backgrounds.

“This workshop is more than just a series of lessons; it’s about rethinking how we approach teaching,” said Dr. Gabinete. “We’re giving our educators the tools to foster more inclusive and engaging learning spaces, where every student feels valued and supported.”

The first day of the workshop focused on enhancing educators’ communication skills. Topics such as effective public speaking and intercultural communication strategies were discussed, giving teachers valuable methods to improve their classroom presence and connect with students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Ms. Maureen Rooney, emphasized the power of communication as a tool for engagement.

“The ability to speak with confidence and to understand cultural nuances in communication can make a huge difference in how students absorb and respond to learning,” Rooney said.

“Our goal is to provide educators with strategies to foster understanding and create meaningful connections with their students”, she added.

Day one also explored how to foster inclusive and collaborative learning environments, a concept that is increasingly important in today’s educational landscape. Participants were encouraged to reflect on their teaching styles and find ways to build a more culturally responsive classroom that encourages collaboration and empathy among students.

Participants also explored how artificial intelligence (AI) can play a role in modern language learning. With AI increasingly shaping the education sector, the session focused on practical ways to integrate interactive technologies that support English learners, making learning more engaging and personalized.

This is the first of a two-part series, with the second workshop, “Classroom Engagement in the 21st Century,” scheduled for March 17-18, 2025, which will explore modern teaching methods and strategies to engage students in today’s digital age.

The workshop is being sponsored by the U.S. Embassy’s Regional English Language Office (RELO) and is being initiated by WVSU’s International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO).

By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO

A delegation from Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) Main Campus visited West Visayas State University (WVSU) on March 12, 2025, to benchmark best practices in foreign language education as part of efforts to establish its own University Language Center.

The team was warmly welcomed by Dr. Ma. Elfleda R. Ecube, Director of the University Resource Generation Program & Auxiliary Services at WVSU. Dr. Ecube expressed her enthusiasm for sharing WVSU’s experiences and practices to assist ISAT U in their efforts to improve their language education program.

The visitors also engaged in an insightful discussion with Mr. Jeho Nicolas C. Cantara, Manager of the Center for Foreign Languages. Mr. Cantara shared valuable information on foreign language center operations, instructional methodologies, and curriculum development strategies.

These insights are expected to serve as a foundation for the successful establishment and operation of ISAT U’s own Language Center, ultimately benefiting the university’s students and enhancing their language proficiency.

Both ISAT U and WVSU, as academic and research partners, looking forward to continued collaboration. The shared goal of advancing foreign language education sets the stage for future initiatives that will have a long-lasting impact on the academic development of both universities’ communities.

By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO

Three BS Information Technology students from West Visayas State University (WVSU) Calinog Campus are currently in Vietnam for an exchange program at Thu Dau Mot University (TDMU). The program, which began on March 10 and runs until April 30, 2025, aims to provide the students with an international academic experience, broadening their knowledge in the field of Information Technology.

The students—Angel Tigas, Fermen Tirador, and Jonabel Abarinto—are accompanied by Dr. Rose May Cora P. Lagon, the OJT Coordinator, Dr. Mercedes Pagunsan and Dr. Nodelyn Paredes, faculty members from the School of Information and Communications Technology (SICT).

The exchange program includes hands-on learning opportunities at TDMU’s Information Technology Center, computer laboratories, and communication centers. The students will also participate in research and innovation activities within the university. In addition to academic growth, the program offers the students the chance to immerse themselves in Vietnamese culture, fostering international connections and broadening their global perspectives.

This partnership between WVSU Calinog and Thu Dau Mot University is part of a continued effort to provide students with valuable opportunities to expand their academic and professional skills. It reflects the university’s commitment to preparing its students for a successful future in the global IT industry.

By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO

TIGBAUAN, ILOILO – On March 9, 2025, the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials from Barangay Atabayan participated in a workshop focused on creating environmental ordinances for sea turtles as part of the Sanctuarium Maris: Sea Turtle Nest Protection Project.

The workshop was organized by the West Visayas State University (WVSU) DagYoung Student Ambassadors, in collaboration with several key partners, including the Positive Youth Development Network (PYDN), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the WVSU Federated Student Council (FSC), and the Development Communicators’ Society. Funded by the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia, it further highlights the importance of international support for local environmental efforts.

Atty. Federic Loise Segovia Regencia, a faculty member from the WVSU College of Law, shared his expertise on local legislation and the role of ordinances in community-based environmental protection. Atty. Regencia led discussions on the process of drafting ordinances, particularly focusing on the creation of a Sea Turtle Nest Protection Ordinance. He emphasized that for the success of the Sanctuarium Maris project, it is essential that the local government unit (LGU) pass an ordinance that legally protects sea turtle nests in the area.

During the workshop, Atty. Regencia explained the key differences between ordinances and resolutions. He clarified that ordinances are laws passed by the local government that have the force of law, while resolutions are temporary measures that express legislative sentiment. This distinction is crucial for ensuring that environmental protection efforts, such as the proposed sea turtle protection ordinance, are legally binding and effective in the long term.

Atty. Regencia also outlined the process involved in crafting local ordinances, emphasizing the importance of public consultation and community involvement at every stage. He highlighted the importance of holding multi-sectoral consultations to gather the concerns and needs of the community, which will then inform the creation of the legislation. Once the ordinance is drafted, it must undergo several steps, including a first reading, committee deliberations, public hearings, and multiple readings before being passed into law. Each of these steps ensures that the ordinance is well-vetted and reflective of the community’s needs.

In addition, Atty. Regencia discussed the key considerations for creating effective environmental ordinances. He stressed the importance of having a clear legislative purpose, ensuring compliance with national and international environmental laws, and establishing regulatory mechanisms to enforce environmental standards. He also addressed the need for public awareness campaigns to engage the community in the process and encourage support for the ordinance.

For the officials of Barangay Atabayan, the workshop served as a critical step toward enacting meaningful change for their environment. By creating ordinances that safeguard sea turtle nests, the community is taking responsibility for its local ecosystem and contributing to the broader goal of marine conservation.

By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO

Spanish interns Mertxe Mendibe Lazaro and Maria Pilar Arraiz Torre, along with French intern Enzo Muñoz, engaged in traditional Filipino games on March 7, 2025, at West Visayas State University, offering them a fun and interactive way to immerse themselves in Filipino culture while fostering connections with DagYoung Student Ambassadors and International and Local Linkages Office staff.

The interns took part in a popular Filipino game like “Dr. Quack Quack,” a lively game that combines elements of tag and strategy, where players must avoid being tagged while attempting to reach a designated safe zone. “Chinese Garter,” a popular game testing agility and flexibility, was also played, where participants took turns jumping over a stretched garter at increasing heights.

The participants also enjoyed “Kadang Kadang,” a balancing race where each player places a slipper on each foot and races to the finish line without losing balance. “Patintero,” a team-based game involving drawing lines on the ground and attempting to cross them without being tagged by opposing players acting as “guards,” was another exciting highlight.

Lastly, they played “Tumbang Preso,” a classic Filipino game where players aim to knock down a can using slippers while avoiding being tagged by the player.

These games provided participants with hands-on experience of Filipino childhood traditions, fostering camaraderie and cultural understanding. For the foreign interns, it was an opportunity to learn about Filipino traditions firsthand, enhancing their cultural competence and appreciation.

This initiative underscores WVSU’s commitment to internationalization and cultural diversity, providing platforms for students and interns to engage in meaningful cultural exchanges that enrich their academic and personal growth.

By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO

On March 3, 2025, Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, President of West Visayas State University (WVSU), welcomed two students from Universitas Negeri Jakarta, Indonesia, Devi Mayanti Magdalena Manullang and Lutfia Hapsari, as they arrived for a month-long teaching internship at WVSU under the Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange in Southeast Asia (SEA-Teacher) Project.

The SEA-Teacher Project, initiated by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), aims to enhance international collaboration and cultural exchange, while also promoting the professional development of future educators across Southeast Asia.

Dr. Villaruz highlighted the significance of the program in fostering a global understanding of education, underscoring its impact on the development of aspiring teachers.

Also present during the visit were Dr. John Erwin Pedroso, WVSU College of Education Graduate School Secretary, Dr. Rosemarie G. Felimon, Associate Dean of the College of Education, and Ms. Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, Director of the WVSU International and Local Linkages Office.

This marks the 11th batch of participants in the SEA-Teacher Project that WVSU has hosted, further cementing the university’s role in advancing cross-cultural education and nurturing future educators from across the Southeast Asian region.

By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO 

A new French language class, led by Mr. Enzo Muñoz from the MEEF Master’s Degree program in Teaching Abroad at INSPÉ de Toulouse, Université Toulouse II, officially launched today, February 28, at West Visayas State University (WVSU).

The class is a part of the WVSU International and Local Linkages Office’s ongoing efforts, in cooperation with Young Journalists’ Society, to equip BA Journalism and BS Tourism Management students with essential language skills and a deeper understanding of different cultures.

By the end of the program, students will be well-equipped to navigate diverse cultural environments, making them more competitive in fields like journalism and tourism management.

By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO 

On February 28, 2025, West Visayas State University (WVSU) and Dalhousie University of Nova Scotia, Canada, took a significant step towards enhancing global collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement marks the beginning of a partnership aimed at advancing educational initiatives, and sustainability efforts.

The signing ceremony, was led by Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, President of WVSU, Ms. Lana Boss, Manager of International Relations at the Faculty of Agriculture and David Parks, Projects & Partnerships Coordinator for International at Dalhousie. Their combined leadership underscored the shared vision of both institutions.

“This is just the beginning,” said Dr. Villaruz. “With Dalhousie University’s expertise, we can achieve meaningful progress in the areas of education and conservation. The partnership will not only benefit our students but also the wider community”, he added.

Also in attendance were key WVSU officials, including Dr. Joel A. Araquil Sr., Campus Administrator of the College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF), Dr. Anthony Leal, Director of College of Agriculture, Ms. Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, Director of the International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO), Dr. Belinda G. Leonida, Director of Academic Affairs CAF, Dr. Jerry A. Ceballos, Director College of Forestry and Prof. Michael Gonzales, IZN Coordinator of CAF.

This partnership set the foundation for developing advanced academic programs in veterinary sciences. Both universities discussed plans to proposed the establishment of a conservation center at Mariit Eco Park, where WVSU faculty and students could engage in joint research, helping not only to preserve the park but also to contribute to the wider academic community.

Both parties agreed that the Vet Tech program would be developed in line with international standards, ensuring that the curriculum aligns with the competencies outlined by global organizations.

The two institutions are committed to exchanging knowledge, expertise, and resources that will foster long-term growth and innovation in education, research, and sustainability efforts.

By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO