West Visayas State University (WVSU), through its representatives, participated in the Seventh General Meeting – GM7 of the CALOHEA (Measuring and Comparing Achievements of Learning Outcomes in Higher Education in Asia) last Dec. 13 to 15, 2023, in Porto, Portugal.
Dr. Lynette Alcala of the College of Medicine (COM) and Dr. Hilda Montaño of the College of Education (COE) represented WVSU, one of the 31 Higher Education Institutions across eight ASEAN countries, and five European states engaged in the CALOHEA Project. Dr. Alcala is with the Medicine Subject Area Group while Dr. Montaño is with the Teacher Education Subject Area Group.
The Project measures Competences and Learning Outcomes in Higher Education in Asia, a Project of the Erasmus+ Programme. It is coordinated by the University of Groningen in the Netherlands with the ASEAN University Network (AUN) partner agency. It operates through three Subject Area Groups: Civil Engineering, Medicine, and Teacher Education.
“The initiatives of the University to conduct a system-wide Workload-Based Curriculum Planning and Development as well as the inclusion of authentic assessment and student workload in the Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) and Teacher Integration Program are tangible outcomes of the CALOHEA project,” said Dr. Montaño, former Dean of the COE.
Welcoming the participants on the first day were Dr. Robert Wagenaar of the University of Groningen who is also the Director of the International Tuning Academy, Dr. Choltis Dhirathiti of the ASEAN University Network, and Mervin Bakker of the University of Groningen.
The 3-day event had the participants discussing the following:
On Day One, the “Creation and use of Regional Subject-Specific Qualifications and Assessment Reference Frameworks to permit greater comparability of institutional degree programme profiles”, and “Implementation of authentic assessment of internationally comparable learning outcomes in degree programmes”.
On Day Two, the participants discussed “Implementation of authentic assessment of internationally comparable learning outcomes in degree programmes”, and “Instalment of the culture of student workload measurement as an integral part of curriculum design”.
And finally on Day Three, discussions were by country-specific groups where they focused on the “Guidelines for bridging South East Asian Student Workload with other contexts” and “Dissemination and impact in country-specific groups”.
Dr. Alcala and Dr. Montaño returned to Iloilo City on December 19, 2023 and in relation to CALOHEA, will work to ensure the dissemination and sustainability of the three recognition mechanisms.
Tag: 4
ENSURE INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE QUALITY EDUCATION AND PROMOTE LIFELONG LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL.
Education liberates the intellect, unlocks the imagination and is fundamental for self-respect. It is the key to prosperity and opens a world of opportunities, making it possible for each of us to contribute to a progressive, healthy society. Learning benefits every human being and should be available to all.
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WVSU participates in 7th CALOHEA General Meeting in Portugal
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Dr. Villaruz attends Balik Roxas Hall, COM Grand Alumni Homecoming
Dr. Joselito Villaruz attended Balik Roxas Hall, the West Visayas State University (WVSU) College of Medicine Grand Alumni Homecoming, today, August 11, 2024. This gathering aims to reminisce and rekindle memories among taga-West medical doctors.
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British Council visits WVSU to discuss possible collaboration
British Council of the Philippines visited West Visayas State University (WVSU) on July 10, 2024 marking a significant leap in fostering educational and cultural ties between the two institutions.
The visit was made possible through International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO) Director Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka who expressed the University’s intent to collaborate with the British Council.
The British Council was in full force, led by Lotus Postrado, Country Director; Pierre Pecson, Head of Education; Andrei Nikolai Pamintuan, Head of Arts; Mike Cabigon, Exams Business Development Manager; and Janelle Almosara-Capiral, Communications Manager.
Present during the meeting were Dr. Greta Gabinete, Vice President for Research; Dr. Celina Gellada, Vice President for Medical and Allied Sciences; Dr. Mary Josephine Bautista, Lambunao Campus Administrator; Dr Garry. Cachuela, one of the grantees of the British Council EME; College of Law Dean Atty. Pauline Alfuente and her faculty; and the Federated and University Student Council (USC) representatives.
The discussion focused on potential academic opportunities for West Visayas State University’s students and faculty, such as exchange and assistantship programs, and language courses offered by the British Council.
Prof. Edel Subong Csoka, Director of International and Local Linkages Office discussed nature of internationalization, in which she underlined the importance of IZN in higher education institutions and the initiatives in the Philippines.
Subsequently, Dr. Greta Gabinete, Vice President for Research, Innovation and Extension presented the nature of research, innovation and extension in WVSU.
Lotus Postrado, country director of the British Council in the Philippines, highlighted how important the organization has been as a pioneer in foreign education and cultural relations in the Philippines.
The meeting was part of British Council’s roadshow in higher education institutions around the country, aiming to showcase their educational campaign for students and researchers.
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CALOHEA Regional Subject-Specific Reference Frameworks as tools for promoting recognition and internationalization
One of the tools created by the CALOHEA Erasmus+ project participants in order to facilitate recognition of degrees and periods of studies both within the ASEAN region and between the ASEAN region and other world regions are Regional Subject-Specific Reference Frameworks.
A Qualifications Framework is a structure that allows us to classify different qualifications in a geographical area covered by the framework and establish a broad equivalence of qualifications (e.g. first cycle of higher education/undergraduate, etc.) across the region. This is done through describing what a learner will have developed in terms of knowledge, skills, attitudes, competences, and others upon successfully completing a particular level of studies.
Regional Qualifications Reference Frameworks seek to establish broad equivalence among qualifications offered in more than one country. Such frameworks are intended to be used as Reference Documents – facilitating recognition but not overruling National regulations or National Qualifications Frameworks. The ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF) and the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) could be two good examples here.
CALOHEA Subject-Specific Qualifications Reference Frameworks facilitate recognition by allowing the following: Clearly see which key dimensions must be addressed by each program in the subject area; establish equivalence between qualifications offered in different countries in terms of their level, regardless of how the qualifications are referred to in each of the countries; express specialization of a particular program in terms of the sub-dimensions addressed; compare the level of achievement aimed at for each of the sub-dimensions – in terms of knowledge, skills or responsibilities; compare shorter periods of study as well – periods of study during which only particular types of knowledge, specific skills or capacity to perform particular responsibilities can be developed.
CALOHEA Regional Subject-Specific Qualifications Reference Frameworks state in a detailed manner what knowledge, skills, attitudes, competences, etc. are expected from graduates of a ARQF Level 6 degrees in Civil Engineering, Medicine and Teacher Education; & allow recognition across all the countries involved in the development of the Frameworks.
To see the CALOHEA Reference Frameworks, please visit https://calohea.org/
The CALOHEA Erasmus+ project is coordinated by the Tuning Academy of the University of Groningen (the Netherlands) and the ASEAN University Network and is co-funded by the European Commission.
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Dr. Villaruz meets with Sunshine Care Foundation for research partnership
Representatives from the Sunshine Care Foundation visited West Visayas State University (WVSU) to explore potential partnerships and collaborations to combat X-Linked Dystonia Parkinsonism or XDP. The foundation combines research and comprehensive care to drive change.
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Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz participates in the prestigious UPSKILL-CHED U.S. Benchmarking Mission
Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts; Tempe, Arizona, USA, June 14-24, 2024 – Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz of West Visayas State University has successfully completed the UPSKILL-CHED U.S. Benchmarking Mission, focusing on design innovations within higher education institutions. This significant educational initiative was held in the leading academic hubs of Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Tempe, Arizona.
During this mission, Dr. Villaruz, together with CHED Officials and selected HEI Presidents, had the opportunity to engage with top-tier institutions, including Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Arizona State University (ASU). The program aimed to explore and integrate cutting-edge educational practices and design innovations into Philippine higher education.
Dr. Villaruz’s participation underscores West Visayas State University’s commitment to advancing educational standards and fostering international collaboration. By visiting and learning from these globally renowned universities, Dr. Villaruz gained invaluable insights into innovative educational methodologies and practices.
As Dr. Villaruz returns to the Philippines, he is poised to implement these learnings, furthering West Visayas State University’s mission to provide quality education and produce globally competitive graduates. His participation in the UPSKILL-CHED U.S. Benchmarking Mission represents a significant step towards elevating the standards of higher education in the Philippines.
This benchmarking mission was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S.-Philippines Partnership for Skills, Innovation, and Lifelong Learning (UPSKILL), RTI International, and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
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Dr. Villaruz welcomes international students from NUS
Earlier this morning, students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) paid a courtesy call to Dr. Joselito Villaruz at West Visayas State University (WVSU) Main Campus.
This visit marks the commencement of the 2nd Transcultural Nursing program, a collaborative effort between the College of Nursing at WVSU and NUS.
The NUS students will tour the WVSU Main Campus and the WVSU Medical Center, engaging in activities aimed at fostering global learning and cultural exchange in nursing education.
This partnership also underscores our dedication to enhancing the educational experience through international collaboration.
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Building Connection, Strengthening Bond: A transcultural experience with NUS and WVSU-CON
The National University of Singapore (NUS) took time to visit West Visayas State University-College of Nursing (WVSU-CON) on July 3, 2024, at the CON Amphitheater.
The Dean of CON, Dr. Madonna S. Palmes welcomed the arrival of 23 student-nurses and two faculty members from NUS. Then they had a courtesy call with Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, WVSU President.
During the program, which is called, Project Barrios, the best practices of WVSU-CON and the NUS were shared. For instance, the emphasis on the use of evidence-based interventions of both WVSU-CON and NUS. This indicates that treatment decisions are guided by scientific research and clinical evidence to ensure effectiveness and safety. The sharing was followed by the discussions about Mental Health, which was tackled by the students from NUS and the Universal Health Care by the WVSU-CON Level IV Student Nurse, George Wilson T. Escordial.
This event has been vital in fostering mutual understanding and respect among the student-nurses from WVSU-CON and NUS.
Through this collaboration, both institutions share traditions, languages, and perspectives, enriching and promoting peace and cultural exposure.
The Project Barrios is an annual activity of the National University of Singapore which sends selected students overseas. Its goal is to strengthen the bond between nurses and the community.
The National University of Singapore marked its third visit at WVSU for the Project Barrios.
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WVSU, SM Foundation sign MOA for Quezon Hall restoration
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed among Dr Joselito F. Villaruz M.D., Ph.D., FPPSWest Visayas State University (WVSU) President, Henry Sy Sr Foundation and SM Foundation.
Henry Sy Sr Foundation is restoring the Quezon Hall or Bulwagang Quezon in Iloilo, which is officially registered with the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property (PRCP).
Among the most important educational institutions during the American Rule was the Iloilo Normal School (1902) now West Visayas State University.Construction started in August 19, 1919.
Restoration started on the capiz shell windows, balustrade, trusses, wooden roofing and replacement of all electrical and plumbing improvements, which were all under the supervision and approval of PRCP.
