WVSU

Tag: 13

TAKE URGENT ACTION TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS.

Climate change is a real and undeniable threat to our entire civilization.The effects are already visible and will be catastrophic unless we act now. Through education, innovation and adherence to our climate commitments, we can make the necessary changes to protect the planet. These changes also provide huge opportunities to modernize our infrastructure which will create new jobs and promote greater prosperity across the globe.

  • WVSU College of Law Moot Court Team pays a visit to the University President

    WVSU College of Law Moot Court Team pays a visit to the University President

    The West Visayas State University (WVSU) College of Law Vox Populi Moot Court Team paid a courtesy visit to the Office of the President on January 28, 2026, following their First Runner-Up finish at the 30th Stetson International Environmental Moot Court Competition – Southeast Asian Regional Rounds.

    Team 1219, composed of Yan Germinanda, Patrick Palquiran, and Emilio Combatir, clinched the First Runner-Up title, earning the team a spot at the International Rounds to be held in Florida, USA, later this year.

    Together with the team are WVSU College of Law Dean Ian Thomas M. Besana, REB, LLM, Atty. Regina Johanna V. Gustilo, and Atty. Larry Pestaño.

    West Visayas State University congratulates the College of Law and extends its best wishes as it prepares for its next competition.

    #WVSUTransformingGenerations
    #WVSUexcels

  • WVSU Hosts Balik Scientist Dr. Bernice Mae Yu Jeco-Espaldon

    WVSU Hosts Balik Scientist Dr. Bernice Mae Yu Jeco-Espaldon

    West Visayas State University (WVSU) has welcomed Dr. Bernice Mae Yu Jeco-Espaldon, a Balik Scientist awardee under the Balik Scientist Program (BSP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Dr. Yu Jeco-Espaldon’s engagement with WVSU will take effect in February 2026. The appointment is formalized through a Contract of Award approved by the DOST–Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), designating WVSU as the host institution.

    Dr. Espaldon holds a PhD in Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, with a specialization in inorganic high-efficiency solar energy devices, from The University of Tokyo. She has been awarded the Ajinomoto Postgraduate Scholarship, the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Research Fellowship, and the University of Tokyo Edge Capital Challenge Support Program, and has held research appointments at the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) and the University of Tokyo.

    During her engagement, Dr. Espaldon is expected to contribute to research, curriculum development, and capacity building at the University. Her activities include collaborating on interdisciplinary research initiatives, mentoring faculty members and students, assisting in laboratory enhancement efforts, and conducting capacity-building workshops focused on advanced research methodologies.

    The Center for Research and Innovations in Science, Mathematics, and Education (CRISMEd) will serve as the coordinating unit for Dr. Espaldon’s engagement at the University. The initiative is being advanced through the collaborative efforts of Dr. Geneveve Parreño-Lachica, Director of CRISMEd; Dr. Ryan Michael F. Oducado, Director of the University Research and Development Center; Dr. Alexander J. Balsomo, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Dr. Stephen G. Sabinay, Director of the Biotechnology and Biomedical Research Laboratory; and Dr. Aris C. Larroder, Editor-in-Chief of the WVSU Research Journal, with the support of Dr. Greta G. Gabinete, Vice President for Research, Extension, and Innovation, and Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, WVSU President.

    Institutionalized through Republic Act No. 11035, the Balik Scientist Program aims to strengthen the country’s scientific and human resource capacity by encouraging Filipino scientists abroad to share expertise and facilitate the transfer of knowledge and emerging technologies to Philippine institutions.

    Through this engagement, WVSU continues to expand its research capabilities, strengthen institutional collaboration, and contribute to national development through science and innovation.

  • WVSU opens Wellness Park to boost student recreation and campus well-being

    WVSU opens Wellness Park to boost student recreation and campus well-being

    West Visayas State University opened its Wellness Park on Dec. 17, 2025, providing students with a new on-campus space for recreation, sports and wellness activities.

    Also known as the Physical Education, Sports, Culture, Arts and Recreation (PESCAR) Court, the park was inaugurated with a prayer and blessing led by Rev. Fr. Jose Rex Jiloca, chaplain of the WVSU Medical Center.

    University President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz delivered a message highlighting the university’s commitment to promoting student well-being and active lifestyles through accessible and inclusive campus facilities.

    Following the message, Dr. Villaruz led the ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially opening the Wellness Park in the presence of key university officials, PESCAR faculty and staff. Intermission performances by the WVSU TeatroTayo, Irong-irong Dance Cultural Group and the PESCAR Sports and Wellness Club followed the ceremony.

    A tree-planting activity was held after the program, with university officials, faculty representatives, officers of the Board of Regents, and alumni leaders participating to replace trees removed during the construction of the facility.

    The Wellness Park features two basketball courts convertible into volleyball courts and two sepak takraw courts, which will serve as sports venues and outdoor activity spaces for students, faculty and staff, reflecting WVSU’s continuing efforts to provide more inclusive and improved campus facilities that support student welfare and overall well-being.

    #WVSUTransformingGenerations#WVSUexcels

  • WVSU strengthens internationalization through strategic engagement with French Embassy

    WVSU strengthens internationalization through strategic engagement with French Embassy

    West Visayas State University (WVSU), through its International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO), continues to advance international cooperation and youth-led environmental advocacy through sustained engagement with the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia.

    On November 20, Ms. Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, Director of ILLO, together with Ms. Alisa Mei Locsin, Information Officer I, met with Mr. Amir Hamdane, Chargé de Coopération Technique and Development Cooperation Officer of the Service de Coopération et d’Action Culturelle. The meeting explored academic, cultural, and development partnerships, including initiatives under the Sanctuarium Maris Project, a French Embassy–funded marine conservation project implemented by WVSU that focuses on the protection of sea turtles, a globally threatened species vital to maintaining healthy marine ecosystems.

    Further strengthening institutional and student engagement, officers of the DagYoung Student Ambassadors (DSA)—Chairperson Aihrich M. Toreres, Special Projects Coordinator Johnric G. Vargas, and Education and Training Coordinator Amabela Fiona Le B. Benid—paid a courtesy visit to the French Embassy on December 4, reinforcing collaboration on youth participation, environmental action, and internationalization, particularly in support of community-based sea turtle conservation initiatives. Through sustained collaboration with the French Embassy, WVSU continues to strengthen its internationalization efforts by empowering students, fostering cross-cultural engagement, and advancing globally relevant initiatives in environmental sustainability and marine conservation.

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  • WVSU earns membership in Global UN SDSN Network

    WVSU earns membership in Global UN SDSN Network

    West Visayas State University (WVSU) has been officially approved as a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), following the endorsement of its Networks Strategy Council on December 15, 2025.

    The milestone affirms WVSU’s sustained commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through research, instruction, policy engagement, and community-based initiatives.

    Dr. Louis Placido F. Lachica, WVSU UN SDSN Focal Person, said the membership enhances the university’s role in promoting evidence-based, inclusive, and locally grounded solutions to development challenges. He added that it also opens wider opportunities for international collaboration toward building sustainable and resilient communities.

    The three-month application process was completed through close collaboration with Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Ma. Asuncion Christine V. Dequilla and University Planning and Development Office Director Dr. Reymund B. Flores. According to Dr. Lachica, the approval reflects WVSU’s strong and comprehensive institutional portfolio and its consistent engagement in sustainable development initiatives.

    The SDSN is a global network of more than 2,000 institutions worldwide that promote high-quality education and research for sustainable development, support governments in addressing SDG-related challenges, and initiate solution-oriented programs, including long-term development pathways.

    In 2022, the university, through the International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO), formally promoted the inclusion of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in the objectives, posters, banners or tarpaulins, programs, and invitations of all WVSU activities and events. This initiative applied to academic, extension, research, and student-led programs across colleges, campuses, and units.

    Under the policy, organizers are encouraged to explicitly state the applicable SDG or SDGs in the objectives of their activities and visibly integrate the official SDG logos in all information and promotional materials. The move aimed to deepen awareness of the 17 interlinked global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a blueprint for achieving a more sustainable and inclusive future by 2030.

    With its inclusion in the SDSN, WVSU strengthens its position in the global sustainability community and reinforces its commitment to contributing knowledge-driven solutions for inclusive and sustainable development.

  • WVSU trains student leaders on compassion-centered leadership and communication

    WVSU trains student leaders on compassion-centered leadership and communication

    Student leaders from West Visayas State University took part in a values-centered leadership training aimed at strengthening ethical leadership, responsible communication, and empathy in campus governance during a Dec. 13, 2025 session at the WVSU College of Communication TV Laboratory.

    Titled “Beyond Authority: Nurturing Compassionate and Communicative Leadership in the University Student Council,” the activity gathered officers from the University Student Council and other student support groups. The session focused on how student leaders can responsibly exercise freedom of expression while fostering trust, harmony, and inclusivity within the WVSU community.

    Discussions emphasized compassion- and faith-informed leadership as essential to effective student representation, particularly in navigating diverse perspectives and responsibilities on campus.

    The morning session featured Rev. Fr. John Tadifa, rector of St. Vincent Ferrer Seminary, who spoke on “Leadership with Compassion, Anchored with the Teachings of the Lord.” In the afternoon, Rev. Fr. Eugene D. Lucerna II, dean of studies and director of human formation at St. Joseph Regional Seminary, discussed “Compassionate Leader and Communicator.”

    Organizers said the initiative sought to equip student leaders not only with practical leadership skills, but also with moral integrity and empathy as they serve and represent the WVSU student body.

    #WVSUTransformingGenerations#WVSUexcels

  • 4th Year in a Row: WVSU receives CHED ICONS Award in global rankings

    4th Year in a Row: WVSU receives CHED ICONS Award in global rankings

    West Visayas State University (WVSU) receives recognition today at the Commission on Higher Education’s Internationalization Champions of Nation-Building and Sustainability (ICONS) Awards, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. The university marks its fourth consecutive year being honored for outstanding achievements in internationalization and contributions to global higher education.

    Dr. Elizabeth Magallanes, Director of the Quality Assurance Office, and Ms. Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, Director of the International and Local Linkages Office, receive the award on behalf of the university.

    WVSU stands out as one of the leading Philippine Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) for strong performance in major global ranking platforms, including the 2025 THE Impact Rankings, 2026 QS World University Rankings–Asia, and the 2025 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI).

    2025 THE Impact Rankings

    WVSU earns a spot in the 2025 THE Impact Rankings, placing in the 1501+ overall bracket. The university gains recognition for contributions to key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

     • SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being (1001–1500)

     • SDG 4 – Quality Education (1501+)

     • SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (1001+)

     • SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals (1501+)

    2026 QS Asia Rankings

    WVSU strengthens its regional presence, placing 185th in Southeast Asia and within the 1201–1300 bracket in Asia in the 2026 QS World University Rankings–Asia.

    2025 WURI Rankings

    WVSU demonstrates a culture of innovation, climbing to Rank 187 in the 2025 WURI, rising from 210th in 2024. The university also secures top spots in three WURI Top 100 categories:

     • Rank 20 – Student Mobility & Openness (A2)

     • Rank 36 – Student Support & Engagement (A1)

     • Rank 91 – Culture/Values (B4)

    In addition to its global recognition, WVSU advanced its commitment to quality education through a new partnership with CHED. Earlier today, President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Ma. Asuncion Christine V. Dequilla signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CHED Secretary Shirley C. Agrupis to implement the Diploma in Teaching Program, reinforcing the university’s role in shaping competent educators for the nation.

    Through these achievements and partnerships, WVSU continues to strengthen its international profile while advancing its mission of excellence, innovation, and sustainable development in higher education.

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  • WVSU Dagyoung Student Ambassador drives global youth policy at the 13th NYP

    WVSU Dagyoung Student Ambassador drives global youth policy at the 13th NYP

    Showcasing West Visayas State University’s commitment to youth leadership and internationalization, Johnric G. Vargas—DagYoung Student Ambassador and Political Science student—represented Iloilo City and the entire Region VI as its lone delegate to the 13th National Youth Parliament (NYP) National Assembly held in Vigan City from November 18–20, 2025.

    The National Youth Parliament, a biennial policy-making convention mandated by Republic Act 8044 or the Youth in Nation-Building Act, brings together exceptional young leaders from across the Philippines to craft informed, future-oriented policy recommendations. Echoing WVSU’s global outlook, the NYP fosters a culture of international cooperation, policy innovation, and youth engagement aligned with global development agendas such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and international mobility frameworks.

    Throughout the assembly, delegates examined youth issues through a global lens—economic empowerment, good governance, digital innovation, and greater mobility across cultures and borders—reflecting the increasingly interconnected role of youth in nation-building.

    Vargas took on major leadership responsibilities that highlight his capacity to engage in both national and international youth development work. He served as the National Cluster Chairperson on Economic Empowerment and Global Mobility, Regional Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Governance, and was elected Regional Convener for the 13th NYP. He likewise contributed to the Philippine Youth Development Plan – Regional Inter-Agency Committee (PYDP-RIAC), ensuring that Western Visayas’ priorities resonate with broader cross-regional and global youth development perspectives.

    Following the deliberations of the National Assembly, the 13th National Youth Parliament successfully passed key resolutions aligned with the 10 Centers of Youth Participation—selected from hundreds of proposals submitted by regional clusters nationwide. These recommendations strengthen youth involvement in governance, economic mobility, and strategic partnerships, echoing international best practices in policy-driven youth development.

    These resolutions will be formally transmitted to the Philippine Congress and the Executive Branch for appropriate legislative and executive action, reinforcing NYP’s role as a national platform contributing to policy systems comparable to youth parliaments and councils across Asia and beyond.

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  • WVSU sets regional benchmark in UI GreenMetric 2025

    WVSU sets regional benchmark in UI GreenMetric 2025

    West Visayas State University (WVSU) has climbed to World Rank 521 in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2025, placing 1st in Region VI, 18th in the Philippines, and 294th in Asia, solidifying its standing as one of the country’s leading sustainable universities.

    Now on its 15th edition, the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings assessed 1,745 institutions from 105 countries, making it the world’s largest university ranking focused on sustainability performance. This year introduces the theme “Advancing Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education: Stories from Our Institutions and Communities,” highlighting how universities integrate sustainability in teaching, research, operations, and community engagement.

    WVSU’s performance reflects its efforts across all six dimensions measured by UI GreenMetric—setting and infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste management, water conservation, transportation systems, and sustainability-focused education and research. These criteria, composed of 39 indicators, evaluate how universities manage their physical environment, implement green policies, conserve resources, reduce emissions, and embed sustainability into academic and community programs.

    As WVSU continues to participate in the global UI GreenMetric network, its achievements contribute to broader national and international efforts to promote clean energy, climate action, sustainable development, and green innovation. The 2025 ranking offers both recognition and motivation for the university to enhance its programs and deepen its integration of sustainability within all aspects of institutional life.

  • WVSU DagYoung Student Ambassadors elevate youth leadership in climate action at France-PH Blue Nations and Youth & Oceans event

    WVSU DagYoung Student Ambassadors elevate youth leadership in climate action at France-PH Blue Nations and Youth & Oceans event

    West Visayas State University (WVSU) strengthened its international environmental engagement as its DagYoung Student Ambassadors (DSA) took part in the high-level celebration of the Blue Nations Initiative and Youth & Oceans Program on December 3, 2025, at Makati Diamond Residences.

    The event marked the culmination of a two-year partnership between France and the Philippines dedicated to advancing marine conservation and climate action. Held in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement (COP21), the gathering highlighted the achievements of both the Blue Nations Initiative and the Youth & Oceans Program, which has supported eleven civil society projects across the country in mobilizing grassroots environmental action.

    Representing WVSU were DSA Chairperson Aihrich M. Toreres, Special Projects Coordinator Johnric G. Vargas, and Education and Training Coordinator Amabela Fiona Le B. Benid, who showcased the university’s flagship marine conservation program, Sanctuarium Maris. Funded by the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia, the project positions WVSU’s student ambassadors, the internationalization arm of the university’s International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO).

    During the program, Her Excellency Marie Fontanel, Ambassador of France to the Philippines, reaffirmed France’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with the Philippine government, emphasizing new opportunities for collaboration in strategic sectors ahead of France’s assumption of the G7 Chairmanship in 2026. The WVSU delegation also met His Excellency Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura, Ambassador of Brazil to the Philippines, who expressed support for youth-led conservation initiatives and coastal protection efforts.

    Since its launch in January 2025, the Sanctuarium Maris project has conducted a series of capacity-building activities for the Tigbauan coastal community. These include training on sea turtle biology, conservation and rescue protocols, artificial nest net-making, and simulations for nest protection. The project also held a workshop on drafting environmental ordinances aimed at institutionalizing local conservation efforts.

    A significant outcome of this initiative is the passage of Barangay Atabayan Ordinance No. 2025-004, titled “An Ordinance Creating a Sea Turtle Nest Protection Program, Providing Guidelines for Conservation and Appropriating Funds Thereof.” With guidance from the WVSU College of Law, the ordinance established a legal framework that now strengthens sea turtle conservation efforts in the Tigbauan coastline.

    The event concluded with a Cocktail and Civil Society Networking Session, where WVSU presented visibility materials and project outputs, highlighting the university’s growing role in youth-driven climate action and marine conservation. Through its continued participation in global environmental initiatives, WVSU reaffirms its commitment to building resilient communities, empowering local leaders, and fostering globally engaged student advocates for sustainable development.

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