The Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 6 invited ISAT U to present its internationalization efforts and achievements during the Virtual Webinar on “Fostering ASEAN Relations through Internationalization Initiatives” on August 4, 2021.

Dr. Raul F. Muyong, ISAT U President, presented 14 best practices of the ISAT U External Affairs: (1) External Affairs

policies and guidelines are in place; (2) sustainable and collaborative global relations by proactively formalizing

partnerships through Memorandum of Agreement, Memorandum of Understanding and FOCs; (3) the External Affairs also initiates the faculty, staff and student international mobility making sure that no one is left behind among the stakeholders from all ISAT U campuses in terms

of international growth and development; (4) strategically planned and implemented internationalization activities; (5) providing access to international scholarships and travel grants for faculty, staff and students; (6) the ISAT U administration recognizes opportunities for internationalization which benefit the University’s stakeholders; (7)  active in joining international competitions which empower the faculty, staff and students of ISAT U; (8) collaborative approach to internationalization wherein all ISAT U campuses, all colleges, offices and stakeholders are included in the internationalization agenda; (9) nurturing an international research culture; (10) improved marketing and communications; (11)  equipping the ISAT U website to handle international searches; (12) qualified External Affairs team members who complement each other’s strengths, talents, skills to produce the best output for internationalization activities; (13)  fostering good personal and professional relations with and among the external affairs team members and the rest of the stakeholders of ISAT U.

All these best practices paved the way for ISAT U to be one of the recipients of the 1^St Philippine Higher Education Internationalization Award from the Commission on Higher Education and the University of the Philippines Open University on May 19, 2021.

As the University continually moves forward in its proactive approach to internationalization through the External Affairs Office, the ISAT U stakeholders look forward to greater possibilities of meaningful collaborations among global higher education institutions in the foreseeable future through the National and International Affairs Office. The men and women of the ISAT U External Affairs continuously work at creating an impact in Iloilo, in the Philippines and the world at large especially during this time of the pandemic through the internationalization of education to ultimately help produce leaders of the future.

 

(c) Jieza J. Napone, LPT

 

What are the innovations of the university library since we are in this new normal right now?

“Since last year during the pandemic, we have started our online processes. All requests were done through google form and its being emailed to us by our clienteles. Different innovations were made like for example, the chat with your librarian linked in our website wherein the students and faculty can just simply chat with us their concerns and we make sure to be responsive as possible. Also in our official website, we have posted the different links of our subscription and the open access databases so they can easily access it. These are free and our students can simply click on those links for the materials they need. These innovations are working well and we are happy to be of service to our students despite the challenges we are facing right now. In fact, our website and Facebook are gaining more views. Our official facebook page is ISATU Library and our new acquisitions are all posted there since we have wider scope of coverage and this is the most common platform our students are using.”

What are the challenges you have experienced in giving services to our students since the pandemic started?

Making the resources available to our students while considering their safety and protection was our main concern during the height of the pandemic. We have to plan out the best possible way for us to still continue giving services to our clienteles especially our students without putting their safety at stake. Of course, the main platform is through online and after those trials and error, we were able to pull off everything and helped graduate school students graduate despite the pandemic. Undergraduate students were also catered through online requests especially with their thesis references. Although taxing because we need to photocopy and scan the documents and send it back to the students but we have to do whatever we can do help them reach their dream of finishing their degree.

I miss seeing students in the four corners of this library and at times, I also miss to chat with them and seeing them physically is totally different that chatting with them online. This library was filled with uniformed students 2 years ago but now, the halls and pathways are emptied and it makes me feel sad in a way. But this is the new normal we are living right now and all we can do is to adopt and adjust.

What’s the development with our on-going library construction?

The construction of this three-story building is still ongoing and is already 91 percent work in progress and we hope that by the end of this year, the construction will be completed. We have already started packing some of our books actually and we are ready to transfer anytime soon and give better services to our clienteles.

Our soon-to-be new library has an elevator and censored doors and on the third floor there will be a mezzanine and a roof deck with wood flooring which was designed by our very own architects.

We look forward for the completion of this big project.

 

 

Though an empty lobby and classroom is a poignant reminder of the pandemic, they also serve as a faithful scene to be creative, to keep on innovating.

ISAT U fully understands the complexity of the situation.

The easy way is just to stop and wait. The other way is to try and innovate for the sake of education and learning. We chose the latter.

ISAT U conducted a preliminary survey to determine and assess the connectivity issues of students and teachers in the system. The results and recommendations paved the way for the purchase of electronic tablets and WIFI modem for students, connectivity subsidy for teachers, and minor adjustments to some policies allowing for maximum leniency in students’ performance and grades.

This also led to the creation of our own Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) as part of the approved learning continuity plan of the University. This investment is for the long haul. It is designed to bridge learning while face to face (F2F) is not allowed and augment the teacher – learner experience when the pandemic is gone.

Flexible learning is not only online classes. It is a combination of other modalities that best suit the context of the student. The University also ventured into delivering hard copies of modules to students coming from different localities who opted to use them. That way, their learning and hopes to finish college on time is not sacrificed. Flexible learning gave them options. And these options do not include waiting for another academic year when there is no end in sight for Covid 19 just yet.

The University continues to work with all stakeholders to ensure that everyone, most especially the students, get the best out of this very challenging situation. “Flexible learning needs a lot of getting used to, but it surely is the better option compared to being exposed to the virus or waiting for another year to graduate,” remarked by Reniel, a working student and a BSIT junior. “I am beyond happy and blessed because of this opportunity given to me by the University and of course, I commit to take care and value this because it is clear to me that this is not mine,” shared Khey, a first-year Community Development student in reference to the electronic tablets distributed by the University as a support to the students.

These stories are perhaps all too familiar now. The pandemic is still here. And while we are one in praying that this will not be for long, we would like to make this as our story of determination and triumph – the ISAT U way.

Hence, we would like to reiterate the full support of ISAT University to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) under the leadership of Chairperson J. Prospero “Popoy” De Vera lll on flexible learning and the way forward for higher education institutions.

 

Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) has once again gained another international partner and this time from Taichung, Taiwan. National Chin Yi University (NCUT) and ISAT U had a virtual Memorandum of Agreement signing last April 20, 2021.

The event was attended by Dr. Wen-Yuan Chen, President of NCUT Taiwan and Prof. Cheng Chi Wang, Vice Dean- NCUT Office of the International Affairs. Dr. Raul F. Muyong -President of Iloilo Science and Technology University was in attendance and received full support from the Vice Presidents of the University: Dr. Corazon C. Corbal – Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Gabriel M. Salistre, Jr. – Vice President for Administration and Finance, Dr. Carmelo V. Ambut – Vice President for Research and Extension, and Dr. Nemia H. Mabaquiao – Vice President for External Affairs whose efforts for securing the partnership with the Taiwan University. The External Campus Administrators from ISAT U Leon, Miagao, Barotac Nuevo and Dumangas were also in attendance with the respective College Deans from the Iloilo City campus.

The National Chin Yi University is in Northeast Asia and ISAT U’s second international partner from that part of the globe. The National Institute of Technology – Sasebo College Japan was the first one to formally sign a Memorandum of Understanding with ISAT U just last March 3, 2021. NCUT is currently ISAT U’s 45^th international partner school, an addition to the international collaborators of the University from Northeast and Southeast Asia.

ISAT U and NCUT have agreed to promote the exchange of students through scholarships and internships, exchange of faculty researchers, exchange of academic information and publications, joint research projects and activities, joint organizers of international research conferences, credit transfer program, visiting professors and lecturers, international team teaching and other exchanges of academic and cultural in nature agreed upon by both parties.

As ISAT U celebrates its 6^th anniversary as a University this month of May 2021, the External Affairs, headed by Dr. Nemia H. Mabaquiao – Vice President for External Affairs and Dr. Juniffer B. Badoles – Director for National and International Affairs, promise greater possibilities of meaningful collaborations among global higher education institutions. These international partnerships are formalized to specifically continue creating an impact in the academic and cultural experiences of students, faculty and staff, alumni and researchers of Iloilo Science and Technology University and its international partners especially during this time of the pandemic. Collaborations through instruction, research, extension, production and internationalization continue as ISAT U moves forward into the future.

-Jieza Napone, LPT

 

“The patriotic thing you can do is to take care of the environment and try to live sustainably” –Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

An interview to the SR representative:

Public Information and Communication Office (PICO): Tell us about this zero-waste community pantry initiative and its difference compared to other community pantries going on around the country?

SR: The zero-waste community pantry of the ISAT U Student Republic was recently conducted last April 27 and 28, 2021. The initiative of the Student Republic, despite the pandemic, gave opportunities, as well as giving hope to the public that there are still people in this world who wants to help you and thinking about the environment at the same time.

So why did we push this “Zero Waste Community Pantry”? Of course, this event was to give back to the community and to fulfill our role in the society and to answer the clamors of students who want the Student Republic to help them in times of need. It also gave awareness to the community that we must achieve zero waste because as we all know, due to the pandemic, consumers and as well as factories began mass producing single use plastics in order to avoid or help mitigate the spread of Covid-19.

PICO: For how long have you been preparing for this initiative and how were you able to gather such amount?

SR: As time goes by, many individuals or groups of people have been planning and executing a community pantry, not one has been able to conduct a community pantry, but also take initiative to take care of their environment.

We were able to gather almost 16,000 pesos and almost 6,000 pesos worth of perishable goods. All of these were given by different individuals, private sectors, and as well as students who has extra resources that they can donate to the poor.

PICO: Who were your beneficiaries?

SR: Barangays such as Barangay Burgos-Mabini, Jereos, and San Nicolas, are among the beneficiaries of the Zero Waste Community Pantry. Students and Security guards of the university were also the beneficiaries of this event. The feedbacks of those people were really positive to the point where we plan to have a second part of the community pantry, with the collaboration of the extension office to further achieve and give all people in the vicinity of ISAT U a care package that can help them get by every day.

PICO: What is your message and invitation to your fellow students?

SR: This event would not be possible if it weren’t for the help of the Administration, GAD Center, Office of the Student Affairs and Services, Faculties, Students, and of course, the whole officers and advisers of the Student Republic – Iloilo City Campus. The Student Republic would like to thank all of the people behind this event. Indeed, helping is one way of achieving internal happiness.

To the people who wants to conduct these kinds of event, I say go for it. It is not too late or too early to help your fellow countrymen. Achieve your role in the community and help us mitigate the use of single plastic so that the younger generations would not suffer the consequences brought by the predecessors.

Interviewee: Ian Patrick M. Apin (ISATU – SR)