Archives for July 2013

A substantial line of infrastructure projects are on hand for the improvement and modernization of the main campus of WVCST. Dr. Gabriel M. Salistre, Jr., Director, Planning and Development, reports that for now there are 4 on going projects, 1 of which is 100% completed already and a handful of others waiting to be started.

According to the data, the construction of the College Library-Phase 3 with an awarded contract price of Php2, 403, 640.75 that began in March, is almost ready for occupancy. This project was completed on June 13, 2013.

The repair of the Teacher Education Building (TEB) and the Administration Building facades with covered walkway has a contract price of Php 1,805,173.00. It started in July and will be finished by next month while the construction of the CEA-ICT Building (College of Engineering and Architecture-Information and Communication Technology) with an awarded contract price of Php109,556,711.71is anticipated to be accomplished in December also of this year. The CEA-ICT Building is located at the new site facing the main campus.

Expected to be finished in August 12, 2013 is the Hotel and Restaurant Technology (HRT) Service Center –Phase 2 which was started on March 26, 2013 and is at its 67.87% of completion (as of July 10, 2013). In this construction, a contract price of Php4, 006,014.45 was given.

Other projects on queue are the Rehabilitation of N Building Phase 1 and L Building Phase 1, all located in the main campus to be able to cater the fast growing population of students. Meanwhile, in the Satellite Campuses, projects waiting to be started are the construction of the HRT Center in Miag-ao Campus, repair and expansion of the Convention Hall of Leon Campus and the construction of the Entrepreneurial Lane in Barotac Nuevo Campus. A total appropriated cost of Php27,667,000.00 is set for all these future constructions.

 

Dr. Luis M. Sorolla, Jr., WVCST College President was recently awarded by the World Education Congress Global Awards (For Excellence in Education, Leadership and Training) for his OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO EDUCATION in Mumbai, India.

Dr. Sorolla was commended by the World Education Congress for his leadership and contribution to the field of Education, thus making him a role model and a believer in change.

The World Education Congress Global Awards aims to recognize individuals and institutions with the best talent and highest standards, organized for a professional cause. The objective at core is benchmarking Educational Practices.

The World Education Congress is a meeting in which participants discuss evolving trends in education. They also examine modern as well as traditional knowledge system, explore on how education can help develop mental, emotional and physical skills to help facilitate personal excellence as well as psychological and socio-economic wellbeing that is being faced by the world now. Aside from networking opportunities, they also discuss unique in-depth approaches to understanding important academic issues that affect the viability of the institution. This year’s theme is “Teaching and Learning for Meaning in a Globalized World.”
 

Present during the Congress were Hon. Lee Ocran, Minister of Education of Ghana; Hon. Dr. Tim Gopeesingh , Minister of Education, Trinidad And Tobago; Hon. Magele Mauiliu Magele, Mminister of Education, Sports & Culture, Samoa and Hon. Mr. Aloizio Mercadante, Minister of Education, Brazil.

    Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST) was recently chosen as one of the six  (6) institutions in the country leading in innovation and technology or ITSO institution by the International Intellectual Property Institute (IIPI).

    IIPI or International Intellectual Property Institute which is based in Washington D.C. is an organization that provides education and guidance about Intellectual Property (IP) rights to leaders and innovators in developing countries.
    
    Hence, WVCST enjoys the support of IIPI on hands-on workshops, educational events and in depth research for the advancement of knowledge and skills on innovation and technology.

    The other universities considered as ITSO Institutions are Bicol University, De la Salle University, Southeastern University, University of Sto.Tomas and University of San Carlos.

    IIPI first visited the six institutions last April 2013 and last July 11 and 12, the team came back to the country specifically in Cebu City, to conduct the second phase of the training under the IIPI-USPTO Innovation Opportunities Program.

    Topics discussed in the training were patent filing and marketing strategies, setting up an invention disclosure system, conducting invention analyses, analysis to patent protection and building industry alliance.

    The experts from IIPI who conducted the training were Mr. Andrew Jaynes, Executive Director and General Counsel of IIPI; Dr. Richard Cahoon, President, Bio-Property Strategy Group Inc.; Dr. Stanley Kowalski, Professor of Law and Director of the International Technology Transfer Institute , University Of New Hampshire College of Law and Mr. Jason Nickla, Director of Intellectual Property, University of Nebraska Medical Center.

    Dr. Carmelo  Ambut, WVCST-VP for Research  and Extension, who headed the group representing WVCST said that the training was a good avenue to come up with ideas on commercialization as well as technology transfer.  The experience gave more knowledge and eventually will make us more matured especially on starting up business.  According to him, considering that the trainors were Americans and somehow there are cultural differences, this can help us plan our own strategies and give us a picture on how to identify our future investors and how to deal with them which can make a great impact on our economy. Dr. Ambut who is not just speaking for what he forsees for  the College said , “I am excited, not just for now but also for the future.”  

    The other participants from WVCST were Dr. Richard de Leon, Director Research Service Division; Engr. Naci John Trance, CEA Research Coordinator IPO; Ms. Lavinia Dulla, Statistician III, Ms. Andrea Pama, Science Research Assistant; Engr. Roger Balderas, CEA-Head, EE Dept.; Dr. Rolando Jacuman, CIT- Head Regular Evening DIT/MIT Program; Prof. Belinda Zamora, CAS Faculty and Prof. Rene Celda, CIT- Chairman, Electrical Technology Section.

    The training will have a follow up on July 18 and 19 here in WVCST, wherein the experts specifically Dr. Richard Cahoon, will conduct  a one on one tutorial that among our technologist in the College and ITSO links in the region.

 

 

“We intend to continue with our High School.”  Strong words of assurance from WVCST College President, Dr. Luis M. Sorolla, Jr. as he spoke in the oath taking ceremony of the High School PTA Officers held last July 12, 2013.

This assurance was made behind all the speculations and fear of phasing out the laboratory school once the College becomes a University.  Dr. Sorolla explained that although the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) recommended all SUC’s or State Universities and Colleges to focus on the Tertiary level and not to the Secondary level, it doesn’t mean that the existence of the high school is at stake.  He further said that CHED allows the existence of the high school provided we abide by the restrictions and conditions set by the commission. 

What are these restrictions and conditions?  One restriction that was mentioned in his speech is a close monitoring of the budget. Financial resources should be solely used for the Tertiary level and not for the Secondary level or High School.   CHED agrees to have the High School in some conditions – first, the total population for the whole system should not exceed 500.  At present, our High School population records only 384 students. The second condition that we have to follow is to find our own sources of funds for operating our High School.  According to the President, the school is really very happy with the support coming from the High School PTA especially with the facilities and other projects that they sponsor for the benefits of the students. The third condition mentioned is for the high school to serve as the laboratory school for education for the Teacher Education Students. 

By and large, if WVCST meets  all the requirements of CHED, as well as manage some few problems, the existence of the WVCST High School continues. With this, Dr. Luis M. Sorolla, Jr. appreciated the High School PTA for their commitment to the school and assured to work hand in hand with them for a better WVCST High School.

July 8, 2013 is a remarkable date for Western Visayas College of Science and Technology Dumangas Campus or better known as PDMC or Purificacion Dolar Monfort College. In a formal ceremony, Dr. Noel S. Quidato, took oath as its new Campus Administrator, with the hopes of making a great change and more developments for the College.

Under BOT Resolution no. 52-2013, Office Memorandum 47 series of 2013, dated  June 20, 2013, Dr. Noel S. Quidato is designated as the new Campus Administrator of WVCST, Dumangas Campus.  He is to perform his duties, functions and responsibilities as Campus Administrator effective July 8, 2013 to July 7, 2015.

Dr. Noel S. Quidato, is a Professor I, and is the 6^th administrator of PDMC, following Mrs. Alma Demaala, the outgoing OIC, Campus Administrator. He is an alumnus of WVCST with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology major in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning in 1987 as Cum Laude. He had his Masters of Science in Industrial Technology in 1991 and finished his Doctor of Philosophy major in Vocational Management in the University of San Agustin in 2001. Dr. Quidato has been with WVCST for twenty-two (22) years, a TRC (Technology and Research Center) Coordinator and has been the Department Head of Electrical Technology since 2009.

                 Dr. Carmelo V. Ambut, VP for Research and Extension  in his message during the ceremony, emphasized to the faculty and staff as well as to the students that life is a change and change is inevitable. He also challenged Dr. Quidato saying, “Everybody is expecting change, and that this change should be for the better. This change which is a new phase of your professional career, is about to start.”

                Dr. Luis M. Sorolla, WVCST President, likewise hopes that with Dr. Quidato as the new Dumangas Campus Administrator, WVCST will continue the journey towards academic quality and excellence and to achieve what is best for everybody in the WVCST family.

                Mayor Rollie Distura, of the Municipality of Dumangas together with the PTA President of PDMC- Miss Nita Dimzon; Mr. Richard Villaluna, President, PDMCEA; Mr. Nhy Donguines, President, Student Republic and the Faculty and Staff pledged their full support to Dr. Quidato as the new Campus Administrator.

                Mrs. Alma C. Demaala, the outgoing Officer-In-Charge, formally turned over the Campus Banner to Dr. Quidato with a commitment of continued support to PDMC especially to the new Campus Administrator. She also thanked all who in one way or another supported her throughout her designation as Officer-In-Charge.

                In closing, Dr. Nehema K. Misola, VP for Administration and Finance, appealed to everybody to join efforts in uplifting and upgrading the Philippine standards of higher education to be at par with other countries of the world.

                Dr. Renato V.  Alba, President Emeritus of WVCST also graced the occasion together with Dr. Manuel A. Sanchez, Jr;  Mrs. Vicky Jeruta, Finance Director; Mrs. Enieda Corona, Chief Administrative Officer, Dr. Mergie Gasataya, College / Board Secretary, Dr. Rose Marie Prudente,Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Dominico Sergie Valenciana,Dean, College of Industrial Technology, Engr. Gabriel Salistre, Jr, and some of the members of the faculty.

“Let’s move forward towards the success and upliftment of WVCST…” Words of encouragement from Dr. Luis M. Sorolla,Jr.,  who recently gave a speech in the oath taking ceremony of the new WVCST-Dumangas Campus Administrator.

                The College President said that we still have miles to go and that we should continue to move and cooperate for the advancement of the College especially with the expected implementation of the bill signed by Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino III, converting the College into a University. He gladly announced that WVCST has already completed and submitted the new requirements asked by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)  and that the board is  just hoping that they will evaluate these documents soon for certification. According to him, as soon as the CHED gives their certification, the College can immediately implement the use of the new name – Iloilo Science and Technology University or ISAT-U. The old name Western Visayas College of Science and Technology or WVCST will be kept in the records of history and automatically the satellite campuses will also adopt the new name as ISAT-University, Dumangas, Barotac Nuevo, Leon and Miag-ao Campus respectively.

                Dr. Sorolla further emphasized that even if we enjoy the present status, we have to remember that we have responsibilities to do as well as  promises and duties to keep for the rest of our journey to be able realize our dream.

A total of seven thousand three hundred ninety nine (7,399) enrollees were recorded for this academic year 2013 – 2014. (Comparative Enrollment Report of WVCST-Main and Satellite Campuses)

Based on the Five Year Comparative Enrollment Report prepared by Mrs. Hazel S. Bautista, AA VI, of the Registrar’s Office, there was a total of six thousand four hundred four (6,404) enrollees for the academic year 2009 – 2010 with a margin of nine hundred ninety five (995) to the enrollment for this year which must be brought by the non tuition fee increase of the College.  In 2010-2011, there were six thousand six hundred sixty two (6662) enrollees, seven thousand and four (7004) enrollees for the academic year 2011-12 and last year the College made a record of seven thousand three hundred ninety four (7394) enrolled students.

 Topping the record of the highest number of enrollees among the Colleges is the College of Industrial Technology (CIT) with a total of two thousand one hundred ninety six (2,196) enrollees. This is followed by the College of Engineering with two thousand and twenty six (2,026), College of Education with one thousand two hundred twenty four (1,224), College of Arts and Sciences with one thousand and twenty six (1,026) and the Graduate School with three hundred seventy eight (378) enrollees respectively.

Meanwhile, record shows that the Satellite Campuses increased their enrollees as well.  In the academic year 2009 – 2010 there were four thousand three hundred thirty six (4,336) enrollees and an increase of one thousand two hundred ninety one (1,291) enrollees for this year or a total of five thousand six hundred twenty seven (5,627) enrollees for the four (4) satellite campuses.