HRMO conducts skills enhancement and employee development seminar-workshop

April 18 & 19 – The Human Resource Management Office facilitated a two-day training workshop entitled “Skills Enhancement and Employee Development” with the aim to help the University stay more competitive by reducing skill gaps and increase contentment and satisfaction at work and highly-motivated translated into performance and morale.

One hundred select employees from the different campuses and offices participated in the said 2-day event held at Punta Villa Resort and Convention Center, Arevalo Iloilo City. Different topics such as Understanding Work Values and Communication Etiquette, Personality Traits in the Workplace, among others were discussed and the participants learned how to write, communicate well and dress appropriately in their respective workplaces.

Resource persons from the different fields of expertise were invited to discuss things and helped the employees better understand their significance in the current position they are called to serve.

During the president’s time, Dr. Raul F. Muyong, the university president encouraged all employees to work diligently and with integrity in their respective posts.

 

“Your job performance speaks of yourself. All of you are encouraged be efficient and effective in delivering work and service to our clients” Dr. Muyong stated.

The Human Resource Management Office of the university is a recipient of the PRIME – HRM award of the Civil Service Commission.

Building it bigger, better

The Iloilo Science and Technology University – Lapaz Campus has four (4) ongoing major projects being rehabilitated and constructed to cater the different growing needs of its stakeholders. Now, that the university is gearing towards limited face-to-face mode of learning the said constructions will mutually benefit not just the administration but most especially the students.

Rehabilitation of the Civil Technology Building. This three-storey building is already 53.13% completed and this will cater all civil technology and civil engineering courses in the conduct of lecture and laboratory classes. This will also provide the faculty, students, and all stakeholders with conducive and safe civil technology building to enhance the teaching learning process in conducting academic activities particularly for civil technology and civil engineering courses. With the construction of the new building, the faculty can deliver quality and efficient instruction that will expose the student in scientific and technological education.

Rehabilitation of the L-building. Currently, this four-storey building is 78.47% completed. This will then cater the conduct of lecture and laboratory classes of HRT students. Also, this will provide students with a more conducive and safe classrooms and learning space for knowledge and skills development.

Rehabilitation of the ground floor administration building.  The major rehabilitation is currently 73.48% completed.  The President’s office together with the office of the board secretary will be relocated in this area. The renovation also includes the office of the cashier, accounting and finance. In addition to such offices, there will be a board room with lounge area and a President’s function room. The façade and entrance of the University is included in the said project.

Construction of the University four-story library.  This building is already 93.47% completed and it will provide more space and conducive place for students to study, do research and engage in academic investigations and learning through books and internet.

With all these on-going developments in the main campus, the students will now have something to look forward to when they come back to the university for the conduct of the limited face-to-face classes after two years of online modality of learning.

 

 

 

 

Up close and personal with the man behind the MUCAS Project

He is known for his dehydrator machines. Now, he is into smart hydroponics. Let us get to know the man, the project, and his dedication to science and the community.

 

“I grew up in the farm and farming is very close to my heart. This is the very reason why I ventured in this kind of project despite the different challenges me and my team encountered along the way.”

 

PICO: Please tell us more about yourself.

Dr. Renerio S. Mucas: I graduated Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education mayor in Electronics and took up my Master of Industrial Education major in Electronics here in our university. I am a loyalist so to say because my PhD in Educational Management was done here also.

PICO: How did you end up doing developmental research?

Dr. Renerio S. Mucas: It was during our National Budget Circular review that Innovation surfaced as one of my weak points so I challenged myself and focused on research. Also, it was in 2010 when I attended a training in Singapore for 2 months and a half. New technology was introduced and it was basically more on computer controls and my interest in this kind of field grew.

PICO: Many would express that research is a complicated field. What are your thoughts on this?

Dr. Renerio S. Mucas: Research is not that complicated at all. Its only in the mind actually. You will enjoy research because you will learn a lot and it is a continued process. You will discover more and upon discovering more, you will have this driving force to advance your readings and generate more ideas along the way.

PICO: The MUCAS project is quite interesting. What is the inspiration behind this?

Dr. Renerio S. Mucas: Okay, MUCAS or Management of Unified Control and Automated Systems is a one-year project funded by the Department of Science and Technology. My motivation of doing this project is actually to use my knowledge in the control systems in agriculture since I am into electronics. You know, I grew up in the farm and farming is very close to my heart. Nowadays, our farmers are ageing and only a few young people wanted to venture in this kind of hard work. With this MUCAS, I wanted to introduce smart farming to the community. Venturing in high valued crops is another way to improve the way of farming here in the Philippines specifically here in Western Visayas.

PICO: What is the main function of this MUCAS?

 Dr. Renerio S. Mucas: I came up with a system, the IoT wherein the water, temperature and nutrients parameters for hydroponics will be controlled automaticallyso that you can assure of the growth and progress of your plants. Traditionally, farm owners tend to their farms through manual and hard labor especially when it comes to monitoring and securing the water and Ph levels of the plants. With this breakthrough, farm owners can now simply program everything and monitor the progress wherever they are for as long as the application is installed in their mobile devices.

PICO: What are the challenges you encountered along the way?  

 Dr. Renerio S. Mucas: When the unit was already installed in the site, I thought its already good but upon observation and monitoring, the project still needs to be upgraded. Good thing I have my team with me in the persons of Mr. Hilario S. Taberna Jr., Ms. Vanessa Mae D. Supapo who also worked tirelessly to improve and enhance this project.

PICO: Lastly, what is the main ingredient in doing this kind of project and your take away for our young researchers? 

Dr. Renerio S. Mucas: I don’t want the output to be not of a value. I want it to be of use especially in the community. More readings and determination are the key in this kind of work. If possible, I want to perfect my projects but along the way, there’s still a lot of things to be done. Never stop learning and always challenge yourselves to do better.

 

 

 

ISAT U Gender Center launches its health and wellness program

February 16. 2022 – The University’s Gender Center headed by Ms. Emily A. Dela Cruz launched its one-year Health and Wellness Program for Faculty and Administrative Personnel. This special project is in cooperation with the University’s Human Resource Development Office headed by, Mr. Bonnie S. Arenal.

First topic on the loop is Understanding Aging and Dementia lectured online by Mr. Richthofen C. De Jesus. In his 11-year career as a psychologist, he obtained licenses both as a Psychometrician and Psychologist from the Professional Regulatory Commission; a certification in Dementia Rating from the University of Washington-St. Louis, Missouri; and a Certification in Psychological First Aid from the Johns Hopkins University, Maryland.

This half-day webinar focused mainly on the society’s view of aging, early signs of dementia and how to handle this kind of condition. A short film based on true story was aired also for better understanding of what is happening to an aging person suffering from dementia.

Many would think that if you age, you can no longer go out often, you are weak and sickly, you are dying, etc. When society talks about aging, they often see it as negative and that’s what we will do today. We will change that perception and I will help you try to understand that aging can be done in a graceful way…” Mr. De Jesus explained during his introduction.

Different questions and clarifications from the attendees

were entertained and answered towards the last part of the webinar.

This very timely topic surfaced because based on the Sex-Disaggregated Data in 2021, The University has an aging population. More than one-third of the faculty (36% of the male and 37% of the female faculty) are 50 years old and above. On the other hand, of the 154 permanent administrative personnel, 50% of the male and 45% of the female administrative personnel are on the same age group.

“Looking into the health and well-being of our employees is a pre-requisite to ensuring effective delivery of services. Employee wellness program provide a number of benefits. Having one, signals that we value our employees’ health and well-being and this can lead to improved employee morale. This will eventually result to reduced absenteeism, lower health care cost and better productivity”, the rationale of the project as explained by Ms. Dela Cruz, Director of GAD Center.

12 Arki Grads pass ALE

The ISAT U Architecture Department proved its top-level performance as 12 out of 17 first timer takers passed the Architect Licensure Examination (ALE) conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) last January 21-23, 2022. The University posted a passing percentage of 70.59% against the National Passing Percentage of 63.16%.

The new licensed architects are: Arch. Jason C. Abatayo, Arch. Emerald May L. Alanan, Arch. Est A. Alimpuyo, Arch. Geddan S. Garanzo, Arch. Gerrit Evan M. Gumban, Arch. Jun Mark P. Hiponia, Arch. John Dominic A. Lozarito, Arch. Sherry Mae A. Oyales, Arch. Lovelyn C. Punzalan, Arch. Ladylyn D. Quilantang, Arch. Paul Fermin S. Tonducan and Arch. Chris Ann Joy M. Virtus.

“It’s really a relief and that finally we had a good performance in the exam. I believe that more from this batch will pass since most form this group are really good and competitive students. In behalf of Architecture Department, we are proud of them,” said Arch. Regina Falconite, Head, Architecture Department.

 

 

– Engr. Adrian L. Pillano

ISAT U gears up for the opening of limited face-to-face classes

 

A two-day stakeholders’ consultation (parents, students, faculty and staff) was held last January 31 and February 2 via Zoom.

During the consultations, the Crisis Management Committee (CMC) presented the various preparations being made for the eventual holding of the limited face-to-face classes.

Dr. Raul F. Muyong, the University President, discussed the different guidelines mandated by the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for HEIs that plan to hold limited face-to-face classes in their respective areas. He gave emphasis on the scope and coverage of the said implementation and the importance of the support and cooperation of all stakeholders.

“Only fully vaccinated students of HEIs located in areas under Alert Levels 1, 2, and 3 shall be allowed to join the limited face-to-face classes. HEIs shall advise fully vaccinated students with significant comorbidities themselves or living with individuals with similar conditions to consider flexible learning and take face-to-face classes in succeeding semesters,” explained the president.

Dr. Robert S. Jacobo, the university physician, also discussed the different health protocols and guidelines to be implemented once the plan is in place. An open forum immediately followed where questions and clarifications of the stakeholders were properly addressed.

The Crisis Management Committee (CMC) is chaired by Dr. Corazon P. Corbal, Vice President for Academic Affairs. The committee is responsible for the compliances and preparations of ISAT U in line with JMC No. 2021 – 001 of the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Health on the Gradual Reopening of Campuses of Higher Education Institutions for Limited Face-to-Face during COVID – 19 Pandemic.

 

 

 

 

Tabladillo, taking the lead as the new ISATU student regent

The ISAT University Student Republic Federation held an annual election of officers on 11 November 2021, 8:00 AM -5:00 PM at ISAT University Iloilo City campus covered gym.

After all the nomination of candidates to campaign speeches, casting of votes, up to counting, Hon. John Joseph L. Tabladillo surfaced as the new Student Republic Federation President.

“The feeling is surreal! I can still clearly recall when I was much younger that the university’s field used to be my playground. Now, I am already taking a very big responsibility as the newly-elected student regent. I am very honored to be taking part in giving hope and be an inspiration to my fellow students” Tabladillo shared during an interview.

When asked about his advocacy, he emphasized that bridging international engagements for students will be his priority. The gradual “ligtas balik eskwela” is on top of his list of things to do with the help of the key officials of the university. He will also encourage his fellow students to get vaccinated just in time for the university’s plan of having limited face-to-face classes.

“We are very positive that the University key officials will give their support on the idea of adopting a nearby community to be our partner. In our own little ways, we look forward to initiate projects such as tutorials, livelihood programs, giving of seminars and workshop, among others to help the community somehow improve their lives” he added.

University appoints new OSAS director

Dr. Ciasico is the University’s newly designated director of the Office of the Students’ Affairs and Services (OSAS). He was sworn into office by ISAT U President, Dr. Raul F. Muyong along with the four Vice Presidents last January 3, Monday. He will serve as the OSAS director from January until October 2022.

As a true-blooded tradean (since grade school until post graduate studies), Dr. Ciasico envisions to strengthen the area of research involving the students’ services. He looks forward to collaborate with the University Office of External Affairs for the international engagements of students.

“I want to improve the students’ community engagements which was part of the result of my dissertation…” Dr. Ely Ciasico said during an interview.

Prior to his appointment at the main campus, Dr, Ciasico or Sir Ely was with the Miagao Campus for 17 years serving OSAS and he did a lot of research engagements and collaborations back then. Apart from that, he also served at the Bids and Awards Committee office (BAC) for 15 years long years.

“I have been with ISAT University for how many decades now and I can truly claim that I am a true-blooded tradean, tested by times. I am very happy to be part of the main campus family and I look forward to start conceptualizing spiritual and behavioral activities for students which I believe an important aspect of one’s life especially in this challenging times.”