Joshua Aniken Garcia Acusta, ranked no. 1 and Dante John Sudario Robles, ranked no. 4 in the Electronics Engineering and Electronics Technician board exams respectively based on the results released by the PRC on Wednesday, April 26.

Engr. Acusta and Engr. Robles belong to the graduates of batch 2022. Both are outstanding performers in their academics and are also champion chess players.

In an interview, Engr. Acusta revealed that  he was not expecting to be the Top 1 although there are a lot of people telling him that he has the potential.

“I was not really expecting it. However, some people including my professors in college were telling me otherwise. Giving you pressure in a good way.”

Engr. Robles on the other hand revealed that they followed certain ‘superstitions’ when they took the exams.

“We just laughed about it but before taking the exams, we also  observed using something red and even had our p

encil sharpened by a previous topnotcher”, he said.

Both topnotchers will receive cash incentives from the University with Engr. Acusta getting 100k and 25k for Engr. Robles. A testimonial dinner will also be conducted in their honor and the other passers of the licensure exams.

CHED Chair Popoy De Vera commended this feat of the University in his Facebook post.

“After last months testimonial dinner for the 48/48 passing and #4 in the mechanical engineering exam, eto naman #1 sa electronics engineering exam ang ISATU! Congratulations President Raul Muyong and the faculty of ISATU for your mentorship! Testimonial dinner na ulit!”

For his part, ISAT U President Dr. Raul F. Muyong attributes this success to a number of factors. He said, “This is a culmination of   a number of things. A stringent selection process in our admission, hiring of quality faculty members, and the provision of an enabling environment in the University where opportunity like this could grow and prosper.”

In less than a year from June 2022, the University was able to produce the following topnotchers from various licensure exams:

Rank 1 – Architect Licensure Examination

Rank 1 – Electronics Engineers Licensure Examination

Rank 4 – Licensure Examination for Mechanical Engineers

Rank 4 – Electronics Technician Licensure Exams

Rank 7 – Agriculturist Licensure Exams

Rank 10 – Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers

The University hosted a Testimonial Dinner in honor of Engr. Nikko Perez Martirizar, Rank 4 and passers of the February 2023 Mechanical Engineers Licensure Exams on April 14 at the Diversion 21 Hotel, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Engr. Martirizar is the 4th Topnotcher produced by the University after a string of exemplary performances from Ar. Ofianga (Rank 1), Orr (Rank 7), and Nobleza (Rank 10) in Architect, Agriculturist, and Professional Teachers board exams respectively.

The ISAT U new Mechanical Engineers also registered a 44/44 or 100% passing rate for first time takers which gave t

he University a distinction as the TOP 2 Performing School in the entire country.

“We are happy for the achievement of Engr. Martirizar. We commend our faculty members from the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) and personnel for putting us on the map once again through this performance,” according to Dr. Muyong.

CHED Chair Dr. J Prospero E. De Vera III emphasized the role of the faculty members and the entire organization in producing topnotchers. Chair Popoy is one of the attendees together with CHED VI Regional Director  Dr. Raul C. Alvarez, and other members of the Board of Regents of the University.

Engr. Martirizar received a monetary incentive of 25K and other cash and non – cash incentives from Dr. Muyong, CHED Chair Popoy, and members of the board.

Four faculty members from the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) have returned from Chandigarh University (CU) in India, where they participated as resource speakers in the International Faculty Exchange Program (IFEP). The program aimed to foster academic collaboration and cultural exchange between the two universities.

The ISAT U faculty members who participated in the program on April 9 to 21, 2023 were Dr. Gabriel M. Salistre, Jr. – Vice President for Administration and Finance; Dr. Ramil G. Lumauag – ISAT U Dumangas Campus Administrator; Dr. Richard C. De Leon – Director, Research Services Division; and Dr. Renerio S. Mucas – Senior Researcher. During their stay at Chandigarh University, India, the faculty members shared their expertise in various fields, including research, engineering, and information technology. They also had the opportunity to learn about Indian culture and higher education practices in the region.

The International Faculty Exchange Program is a collaboration between Chandigarh University, ISAT U, and many more international cohorts around the world that sent delegations to share their time and expertise with the CU stakeholders. This mobility program is part of ISAT U’s efforts to enhance its internationalization agenda and promote academic excellence through collaboration with other institutions around the world.

 

 

– Jieza J. Napone, LPT

April 24, 2023 – Iloilo Science and Technology University through the Student Republic organized a student-administration dialogue. Select student leaders and representatives from the different colleges were invited to attend the said forum.

During his opening remarks, Dr. Raul F. Muyong stated that the main purpose of the activity is for the students not only to vent out their concerns and issues but also to listen to the best practices they have experienced in the duration of their stay in the university.

“I would like to commend the Student Republic for organizing this forum and always remember you students are the most important stakeholder of this Institution and we want to hear from you. We will do our best to listen and address your concerns but please do not just speak out your issues and concerns. We also would like to listen to the best practices that we are practicing here in our academe,” expressed Dr. Muyong.

The students complained mainly about the unbearable weather condition they are experiencing inside the classroom with heat index reaching as high as 43 degrees Celsius.

Dr. Gabriel M. Salistre Jr., the VP for Administration and Finance gave assurance that there will be water dispensers to be installed in the different strategic locations inside the University as soon as the purchasing process is completed. The water will be free for all students for as long as they have their own tumblers.

Other concerns raised were the late submission of grades, dysfunctional locks of the comfort rooms, cafeteria schedule and possibility of opening a new cafeteria in the new site.

Mr. Rhyin Vincent Amalay, Chair, Student Discipline Committee served as the moderator of the consultation.

 

Department of Science and Technology, DOST – ASTI, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Iloilo Science and Technology University and LGU of Dumangas inaugurate the Iloilo Ground Receiving Station on Friday, March 10.

The ground receiving station facility is the only one in Western Visayas and the 3rd of its kind in the entire Philippines. DOST VI Regional Director Engr. Rowen Gelonga stressed that the GRS is a very important facility as space science technology has a lot of applications particularly on addressing the socio development requirements of the country as a whole.

DOST Undersecretary Leah J. Buendia likened the facility to “a bridge that connects us to the vast expanse of space.” Further showing the potential of the facility to drive science – based decisions on various levels of governance and sectors of the society.

Ground Receiving Stations (GRS) are built to collect and stream remote sensing satellite data to users. These data can be used for research and development activities and disaster risk reduction management among many others.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency also provided resources and expertise in the project. Mr. Sakamoto Takema, JICA Philippines Chief Representative underscored the continuous support of their organization in realizing this initiative and in many other projects that sought to improve the lives of the people.

ISAT U President Dr. Raul F. Muyong expressed his gratitude to all the partners who made the project possible. “The University is now working on a proposal to offer a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology Program in view of this project. We are also training and conducting benchmarking activities for our people to ensure the sustainability of this laudable endeavor.”

Dumangas Mayor Braeden John Biron and 4th District Board Member Rolly Distura also sang praises to the facility describing it as a step forward not only for the people of Dumangas but for all Filipinos.

The ‘Unveiling of the Inaugural Marker’ followed in the afternoon at the GRS site located at the ISAT U Dumangas Campus. A tour and a short lecture was also given by the personnel of the DOST – ASTI to guests and media partners.

 

Iloilo Science and Technology University College of Industrial Technology signed a memorandum agreement with 6^th Forward Service Support Unit (FSSU) of the Philippine Army on February 28, 2023 at the University’s function room.

In his message, Dr. Raul F. Muyong, the University President highlighted the importance of building partnership with other government agencies as it was clearly stated in the Sustainable Development Goals particularly Goal 17 on Partnerships.

“I am very pleased for this mutually beneficial partnership between ISAT U and 6^th FSSU ASCOM. Through this partnership we are able to strengthen the existing collaboration we have that could benefit not just our community here in ISAT U but the bigger community we are serving as public

servants. Rest assured of our continued support for whatever endeavors you have in  the Philippine Army,” said Dr. Muyong.

The partnership involves providing pool of experts to teach the participants the fundamentals of their trade, providing assistance related to the needs of the trainees in the conduct of the trainings and issuing certificates to the participants upon completion of the requirements in terms of training hours and project/outputs of the course offered.

LTC Flordeliza C. Bolhayon – the Commanding Officer, Major Desi Lareen C. Resurreccion – Admin and Personnel Officer, Major Roger A. Mallorca – Operations and Training Officer and Staff Sergeant Neri Joie Soriano – Training-Non-Commission Officer from the Philippine Army were present during the said event. Select faculty members and extension coordinators from CIT together with Dr. Rene L. Celda, the dean also graced the said gathering.

Dr. Adrienne D. Veloso, Director of the Extension Services Division recognized and thanked all the attendees during her message.

 

 

 

 

Iloilo Science and Technology University Gender Center facilitated a 3-day training workshop on doing gender research with attendees coming from students of Teacher Education program , BS Community Development, Bachelor in Human Services, and select faculty and staff researchers across the system.

The main objective of the said activity is to enhance the capabilities of faculty and student researchers in doing gender researches and encourage them to explore the gender concerns in the society today.

“We are doing this not because of the mandated laws but because we are into Gender and Development which is clearly stated in the SDG 5 which is Gender Equality. After this three-day training workshop, I look forward to see outcomes not just merely outputs. Outcomes that have an impact in our college, university, community and in the world as a whole. So, let’s work together for the outcomes not just for our own benefit but for the university we are serving” said Dr. Raul F. Muyong during his opening message.

Professor Girlie Nora A. Abrigo and Dr. Mark Oliver S. Llangco both gender research experts from the Social Science Department of UP Los Bańos were the main facilitators and lecturers during the training-workshop held at the ISAT U AVR-N building on February 21-23, 2023.

“We look forward that our student participants will come up with a gender research proposal for their undergraduate theses and as with our faculty researchers present here today, we also look forwards that you will also come up with a gender research proposal with possible extension activities within this year 2023,” expressed Dr. Emily Dela Crus during the closing program.

A total of 370 participants both from the main and external campus attended the training-workshop.

 

 

 

DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. showed appreciation to the research and development projects of ISAT University during his ‘meet-and-greet’ session on Wednesday, February 15.

“We cannot stop in our research organizations or in our university by simply teaching, doing research, and publishing or patenting, but we need to translate our products and services, or ideas into commercialized products and services. And I think, you’re (ISAT U) doing that,” says Solidum.

Sec. Solidum and other DOST top officials were given a tour of the various laboratories of the Research Hub which culminated with brief presentations of the ongoing and completed projects funded by the Department. Around P17, 696,774.40 million went to ongoing researches/ projects and about  P15,262,221.40  million for completed researches coming from the combined grants of DOST – PCIEERD and DOST – PCAARRD.

The University also showcased the first batch of startups and spin offs that were incubated by ISAT U KWADRA – TBI. These start ups and spin offs, mostly focusing on providing science and technology – based innovations and solutions to industries are equivalent to commercialized products and services benefitting industries and communities.

Present during the event were DOST Undersecretary Leah J. Buendia, DOST VI Regional Director Engr. Rowen Gelonga, ISAT U President Dr. Raul F. Muyong, VPRE Carmelo V. Ambut, VPAF Gabriel M. Salistre Jr., VPAA Corazon Corbal, VPEA Nemia Mabaquiao and other top officials of DOST and ISAT U.

 

 

 

February 7, 2023 – Dr. Raul F. Muyong, the Iloilo Science and Technology University president and at the same time, the chair of the Regional Association of State Universities and Colleges Region VI (RASUC VI) joined and participated in the Technical Working Group meeting to finalize the plans for Project MINI ME (Mainstreaming and Institutionalizing for the New-Generation the Investments in Monitoring and Evaluation) spearheaded by the Regional Project Monitoring Committee (RPMC VI) and NEDA-VI.

Project MINI ME is a training and mentorship program for the youth on monitoring and evaluation. The project will equip young people with knowledge and skills on monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects of the government. To ensure their participation and be heard, they will be given a seat at the RPMC-VI.

The delegation was composed of representatives coming from DBM, DILG, OP-PMS, OCD, NYC and Global Shapers Iloilo. They convened at the NEDA Building, Iloilo City to discuss matters regarding the MINI ME Project as it will provide lectures, activities, and, training workshop on planning, implementation, and reporting of monitoring and evaluation of government programs and projects to selected youth leaders from the educational institutions, community groups, and other local organizations.

As the chair of RASUC VI, Dr. Muyong emphasized the major role of the academe in honing young people’s leadership skills as they are the future leaders in nation-building. Also, he gave emphasis on the Republic Act 8044, The Youth in Nation-Building Act, that calls for youth involvement in character-building and development activities for civic-efficiency, stewardship of natural resources, agricultural and industrial productivity, and an understanding of world economic commitments on tariffs and trade and participation in structures for policy-making and program implementation to reduce the incidence of poverty and accelerate socio-economic development.

 

Photo credits: NEDA RO VI