Team Mobilitee from West Visayas State University (WVSU) earned third place and won Best Startup Logo at the Philippine Startup Challenge 9 – Regional Pitching Competition for Western Visayas, held October 21, 2024 at the Iloilo Grand Hotel.
Organized by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Regional Office VI’s ICT Industry Development Bureau, the event showcased the innovative ideas and technical skills of young entrepreneurs in the region.
Team Mobilitee, composed of 4th-year BS Computer Science students Kyle E. Billones (CEO), Alecxander Jamille Andaya (CTO), and Shayne B. Yanson (CMO), with mentor Mr. Mark Joseph J. Solidarios, presented “Access Assis,” a startup that enhances electric wheelchairs with brain-computer interface (BCI) technology and added assistance modules.
Other WVSU teams also excelled, with Team ILLagaw, Team Hydroq, and Team Visayan Voyagers placing in the Top 10 out of 70 startup entries.
Text by Nana Bretaña, PAMCO Intern
Photo from IIDB DICT-Region 6
Tag: 9
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WVSU secures 3rd place, best startup logo in regional pitching competition
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WVSU ILLO concludes three-part DagYoung sessions; propels university’s branding initiatives
West Visayas State University (WVSU) International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO) concluded its three-part DagYoung Sessions activity with the topic, Pitching the Institution, via Google Meet, on October 20, 2024, seeking to integrate student ambassadors with concepts in pitching WVSU and build a brand identity around it.
Professor Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, Director of ILLO, emphasized that setting up a series of workshops is not only to teach practical skills but also to inspire and empower student ambassadors for strategic growth.
During the workshop, resource speaker, Mr. Daryl Lasafin, Head of Operations, Dame Digital, highlighted the importance of branding in the University’s marketing plan, especially if that institution is not particularly well-known. Creating a solid identity is the best way to draw more partnerships on a global scale as it helps promote distinctiveness that sets an institution apart from others.
He started the discussion by outlining WVSU’s particular strengths and focusing on what exactly makes it unique. Student ambassadors must begin with gaining a clear understanding of the University’s vision, mission, and core values.
Additionally, he underpinned the branding story framework which pinpoints three specific components: purpose, drive, and culture. These foundational elements served as the guiding principles for branding decisions. Knowing who you are, what you stand for, and who you aim to reach is essential in creating a brand that resonates.
Through these discussions, student ambassadors were reminded of how they can be ‘game changers’, especially with the kind of influence that comes being a branding arm of the university.
After the discussion, a forum session took place and participants posed questions as well as comments to the speaker.
The DagYoung Sessions was conceptualized by the ILLO in an effort to provide student ambassadors with skills necessary for the future and prepare them to become global citizens at the forefront of international education in the years to come.
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Ateneo de Iloilo visits WVSU for academic exploration
Delegates from Ateneo de Iloilo-Santa Maria Catholic School visited West Visayas State University (WVSU) on October 17, 2024, aiming to connect with students and staff, introduce them to the university’s academic programs and campus life.
The delegation, including 10 students and two faculty members, was warmly welcomed by Dr. Ma. Pilar S. Malata, Dean, Office of Student Affairs (OSA); International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO) Staff and the DagYoung student ambassadors.
Dr. Malata presented a comprehensive overview of the university, highlighting the academic programs and facilities, and also underlined WVSU as an academic institution that provides quality and practitioner-led training and educational services.
They also heard from Dr. Alexander J. Balsomo, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) who discussed about the college’s academic areas and programs. He provided the students with vital information to assist them in choosing which path to pursue, covering everything from the offered courses to academic guidelines.
Meanwhile, Ella Vila, DagYoung student ambassador, College of Business and Management (CBM) tackled business, finance, and management related courses.
The meeting provided knowledge and engaging learning experience that enhanced students’ capacity for dialogue and academic engagement. A campus tour followed wherein students had the opportunity to visit different colleges and facilities in the university.
This visit served as a platform for exchange and learning to promote WVSU among prospect students.
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WVSU strategizes toward Internationalization
In line with its commitment to academic excellence and its vision to be a globally-recognized institution of learning, West Visayas State University (WVSU) International and Local Linkages Office conducted a collaborative training workshop on ASEAN Citizenship Goals: The WVSU IZN Retooling for Top Management and Staff-Role on Prioritizing IZN Mandates and the importance of IZN in the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) on Oct. 11, 2024.
Participants, hailing from diverse educational, administrative units, key officials, Deans, IZN Coordinators and staff of WVSU engaged in discussions and practical exercises.
In her opening remarks, Prof. Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, Director, WVSU International and Local Linkages Office emphasized the need to further accelerate the IZN program and harmonize initiatives.
“There is no stopping us for the WVSU Internationalization is fighting for its place, first and foremost, in southeast Asia. For WVSU, being part of the ASEAN framework provides opportunities for exchanges, collaborations, and access to resources that enhance academic experience. Thus, the top management and the key personnel who have the power in implementing the strategic plans are called to this challenge,” Prof. Edel said.
Under the guidance of esteemed resource speaker, Prof. Bryan Dayuta, Philippine Normal University’s Director of International Affairs and Linkages, the participants were shared with knowledge on concepts, legal bases, and university pathways crucial for facilitating internationalization within higher education institutions. He first expounded the concept of internationalization, lifting from the CMO No. 55, s. 2016; the importance of internationalization globally, nationally, and institutionally; and the positioning of internationalization.
The event served as an avenue for participants to critically examine their IZN plans, and through the constructive feedback from the resource speaker, they were able to refine and improve their strategies in alignment with the colleges’ and campuses’ goals, contributing to the overall success of the internationalization program at WVSU.
Furthermore Prof. Bryan also underlined the structure and functions of International Relations Office, and elucidated guidelines for initiating international programs.
Additionally, attendees gained insights into policies, strategies, and quality assurance initiatives tailored to internationalization efforts.
The insights and strategies discussed during the seminar are set to significantly enhance WVSU’s global competencies and key directions for the current academic year and finalize WVSU’s Strategic Development Plan for 2026-2030.
| Written by Gladwyn Gustilo
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WVSU takes the lead in hosting a policy forum; highlights Student Workload Institutionalization, Authentic Assessment as qualifications drivers toward educational excellence of Philippine HEIs
In an effort to promote global education excellence, West Visayas State University (WVSU) in collaboration with the ASEAN University Network (AUN), University of San Carlos (USC), University of San Agustin (USA), and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) organized the Policy Forum on the Institutionalization and Standardization of Student Workload and Adoption of Authentic Assessment on October 3-4, 2024 at Sam’s 21 Hotel, Iloilo City.
This forum was held with the aim of introducing higher education institutions in the Philippines to the CALOHEA project’s recognition mechanisms and further encouraging them to make use of the mechanisms such as student workload and authentic assessment to compare and measure achievement of program learning outcomes in the South-East Asian region.
This gathering stems from the Erasmus-funded Measuring and Comparing Achievements of Learning Outcomes in Higher Education in Asia (CALOHEA) Project, which pinpoints three specific recognition mechanisms (RMs) crucial for enhancing the internationalization of higher education institutions in Southeast Asia.
Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz, President, WVSU, commenced the forum by extending a warm welcome to all of the speakers, CALOHEA experts and champions, and attendees from 56 universities in the Philippines. He emphasized the importance of internationalization (IZN) of HEIs in the Philippines and the dedication to consistently raising the quality of curricula through CALOHEA recognition mechanisms.
Dr. Villaruz also emphasized the principal findings of the CALOHEA project that may contribute to efforts in improving instruction and assessment, mobility, and internationalization strategies. As a result of the university’s involvement in the project, WVSU and the other participating universities had the chance to learn about these mechanisms and their implications to higher education in Southeast Asia. The policy forum was also an avenue to exchange thoughts related to these matters.
Dr. Choltis Dhirathiti, the AUN Executive Director, underpinned the significance of the use of authentic assessment and student workload as tools for interregional cooperation, internationalization, and the growth of higher education in the region. The AUN also recognizes the role and support of the CALOHEA project to AUN efforts on student mobility.
The forum began with an overview of the CALOHEA project, which provides the framework for the discussion. Dr. Maria Yarosh, a European expert and the coordinator of the project from the University of Groningen gave the audience an overview of the project’s history. She stressed that the European Universities are already using the Tuning methodology, so the comparable methodology would help higher education in the Philippines.
Finally, Dr. Yarosh gave a summary of the three Key Recognition Mechanisms in CALOHEA and discussed how they may be used to higher education in the Philippines and the ASEAN region. Discussions on Malaysian CALOHEA experience was shared by Dr. Muhamad Saiful Bahri Yusoff and on research and activities by Korn Ratanagosoom.
Following the plenary session, Dr. Richard Jugar, special advisor to the AUN Executive Director and the SAG Coordinator of CALOHEA-Teacher Education, engaged the forum participants with the concepts of Syllabus-based Estimation and Course-Tiering through exercises and discussions. During the Authentic Assessment (Re) Development Plan exercise, participants had to use the knowledge they learned about authentic assessment through guided activities.
On the second day of the forum, exemplar experiences on the implementation of the project from WVSU by Dr. Alona Belarga, USC by Dr. Mariter Malonjao, and the USA by Dr. James Pedregosa were shared. These discussions highlighted the use of CALOHEA Key Recognition Mechanisms in the context of addressing, prioritizing, and assessing student learning outcomes in higher education in the Philippines. The presenters detailed how such experiences greatly benefited their institutions.
Additionally, Dr. Ma. Asuncion Christine V. Dequilla, Vice President for Academic Affairs, WVSU, directed the discussion towards the adoption of student workload standardization and authentic assessment from the top management and administrator perspective. Her presentation addressed the implications of the initiative to the various facets of higher education, including instruction, extension, research, production, and internationalization.
Later in the afternoon, an insightful panel discussion took place with panelists joined by CALOHEA EU coordinator, AUN delegates, and Dr. Ed Fermin, the Chair of the CHED Technical Panel for Teacher Education. They all offered their insights and perspectives on essential topics and concerns raised by the HEI participants. This policy forum was also joined by Dr. Hilda Montaño, Dr. Venus Papilota-Diaz and Dr. Lynette Alcala as facilitators and officers of the day, with Dr. Anne Cortez at the Secretariat.
As the CALOHEA initiative and its participating institutions continue to make impact, introduce and implement the key recognition mechanisms across the ASEAN region, WVSU will continue to support these collaborative endeavors to internationalize and elevate the quality of education in the region’s higher education sector.
| Written by Gladwyn Gustilo
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WVSU expands global reach at EAIE 2024 Conference
West Visayas State University-International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO) embarks on lecture series and networking among around 7,300 delegates from all over the world during the European Association for International Education (EAIE) held in France this September 2024.
WVSU’s participation in one of the biggest conferences in the world is thru ILLO Director Prof Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka’s selection as one among the 9 internationalization officers/leaders sponsored by the French Embassy in Manila and Micronesia. Prof. Edel underwent training in May of this year to capacitate the higher education institution with regards to the French education landscape and trends, culture and student mobility.
EAIE is “a non-profit, member-led organisation serving individuals actively involved in the Internationalization of their institutions”.
“It is an opportunity for us to let WVSU be known especially to the European community. It was an honor for me to pitch Iloilo City, WVSU, and the entire Philippine higher education in a platform where you can talk face-to-face with people who understand your work well in terms of internationalization, which pushes for not only voicing out what one desires but for the value of listening, seeing the world through other people’s perspectives, therefore, creating more openness, inclusivity, and a sense of understanding that life does not revolve around us in a box we put ourselves in,” Prof Edel said.
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WVSU attends project launch on Data Mining of NMAT and PLE Big Data
West Visayas State University (WVSU) took a significant step forward with the launch of a groundbreaking research project, “Data Mining of NMAT and PLE Big Data: A Basis for Data-driven Decision Support and Policy-Making” on September 5, 2024. Funded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), this innovative project aims to uncover valuable insights from large datasets of NMAT and PLE results, paving the way for data-driven decision-making and policy-making among academic institutions, governing bodies, and government agencies.
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CHED unveils Simulation-Based Education Marker
In a testament to the pursuit of innovation and quality education, the Secretary of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Dr. J. Prospero “Popoy” E. De Vera III visits West Visayas State University (WVSU) today, August 30, to officially unveil the marker for Simulation-Based Education Laboratory.
During the press conference, WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz shares heartfelt remarks about CHED’s commitment for its continual support to the University in its endeavors for the College of Medicine program.
The ceremony includes unveiling of a brass marker, and a tour of the facility, showcasing advanced equipment and innovative training module for medicine students.
The new laboratory includes a control room, patient rooms with state-of-the-art software and technology-enabled high-fidelity mannequins with human-like features, enables students to hone their skills and expand their knowledge in a simulated, real-world environment. Equipped with the latest technology and realistic medical scenarios.
Present during the ceremony were Dr. Victor Amantillo, Dean College of Medicine (COM); Dr. Celina Gellada, Vice President for Medical and Allied Sciences; Vice President for Administration and Finance (VPAF) Dr. Peter Ernie Paris; Dr. Madonna Palmes, Dean, College of Nursing (CON); Dr. Raul Alvarez Regional Director, CHED 6; Media Friends; Faculties and students from the WVSU-COM.
Furthermore, this project propels the internationalization initiatives of the University.
This initiative aligns with CHED and WVSU’s Optimizing Simulation-based Education (SBE), Training, Collaboration and Research -A Focus on Technology-driven Teaching and Learning Strategies.
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CHED, WVSU unveil simulation-based tech; new programs across fields in progress
Manifesting its commitment to enhancing medical education, West Visayas State University, with the support of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), unveiled the WVSU Simulation-Based Education Laboratory Marker at the College of Medicine on August 30, 2024.
CHED Chairman J. Prospero De Vera III and WVSU President Dr. Joselito Villaruz led the activity, which is part of the LAKAS (Leading the Advancement of Knowledge in Agriculture and Sciences) Program. This program focuses on improving educational and training methodologies through advancements in simulation technology.
The program has enabled the university to invest in and procure high-quality manikins and task trainers, which serve as essential tools for simulation-based education.
“It provides a safe and secure training environment for students and patients before they enter clinical areas or gain actual experience,” Villaruz said in an interview.
The university president also noted that WVSU has received a grant from CHED amounting to approximately Php86 million for simulation-based education, as well as an additional Php24 million from the Seed Fund Project, also known as the “Programang Punla para sa Medisina.”
CHED Chairman De Vera III shared the program’s direction in employing technology in education, slowly adopting it to public universities and selected private schools in the country starting with WVSU.
“We selected the top medical schools to be the anchor of our use of technology-mediated learning and simulation-based kasi sila yung magaling. I don’t think you will question the competence of West Visayas… sa passing rate pa lang, wala nang debate,” De Vera said.
𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐌𝐞𝐝
During the interview, Dr. Villaruz also underscored WVSU’s stride towards implementing the WVSU Expedited Select Track for Medicine or WESTMed program, akin to the accelerated medical program that would allow students to graduate medical school within just seven years which contrasts with the current 9-year program.
The university will implement the program in academic year 2025-2026, expanding its number of enrollees from 120 students to 160. The accepted students will “join the program straight from Senior High School.”
According to Chairman De Vera, the said accelerated program has already been established in other universities and has made successful outcomes, prompting the said program to also be applied in WVSU.
“I think this is a breakthrough in the medical program because we will be able to produce quality doctors faster,” De Vera said.
𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐬
In its ongoing effort to modernize instruction, Dr. Villaruz announced that West Visayas State University (WVSU) will be establishing an augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) Laboratory for the College of Medicine. This new facility will allow students to explore procedures such as dissection using virtual reality technology.
Additionally, WVSU has received a Php4 million grant to modernize the communications equipment for the College of Communication in which Dr. Villaruz shared that the administration is settling the “final home” of the said college.
Dr. Villaruz also highlighted that WVSU is a recipient of the Sustainable Tourism Education Program Upgrading Project (STEP UP) from CHED, which will support the enhancement of equipment for the Hospitality Management program.
Furthermore, he revealed that in the coming years, WVSU will introduce new programs in allied health sciences like Medical Technology and Psychology.
Text by Keven Rizzo Sitjar and photos by Wina May Dela Cruz, PAMCO
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Dr. Villaruz thanks DAR 6 for equipment donation
Dr. Joselito Villaruz expressed gratitude to the Department of Agriculture (DAR) Region 6 for their generous donation of chemical equipment to the university on August 16, 2024 at the WVSU Board Room. This milestone partnership will enhance the university’s research capabilities and provide students with valuable resources for academic growth.
