In view of  Covid 19 pandemic and in compliance with CHEd-COVID Advisory No. 6, the ISAT U Board of Regents (BOR) approved Board Resolution No. 10-2020 for the Modified Academic Policies for Implementation for the 2nd Semester of Academic Year 2019-2020.

The resolution schedules the last day of classes for the 2nd Semester of AY 2019-2020 on May 29 this year. Faculty members are also directed to conduct work from home arrangement utilizing alternative modes of teaching and assessment while the students remain in their respective homes.

The faculty are also instructed to exercise maximum consideration and leniency in giving grades with modified requirements without compromising the learning outcomes.

See Office Memo No. 089 s.2020

Summer and mid-year classes will not be offered on June-July 2020 both for undergraduate and graduate programs. Regular summer classes for undergraduate programs will be offered during the AY 2020-2021. Pre-requisites maybe considered as co-requisites. Students will also be allowed maximum overload during AY 2020-2021.

For Thesis/ Dissertation requirements for undergraduates, the pre-oral defense grade will be the basis in giving the final grade and final defense is no longer a requirement. The Thesis/Dissertation final defense for graduate studies programs is extended until May 29, 2020. Submission of hard bound copies of Thesis/Dissertation prior to graduation is suspended. However hard bound copies will be required for the release of Transcript of Records (TOR), Diploma and Exit Clearance.

For, the internship program, the Student Internship Program (SIP) Coordinator is assigned to assess and evaluate the performance and outputs of student trainees and in computation and submission of their grades. The maximum residency requirement for students is suspended for this semester only.

As to the graduation ceremonies, no in-person Commencement Exercises will be conducted for this Academic Year. Virtual Commencement Exercises across campuses is also considered. Graduating students are also allowed to join the Commencement Exercises during the AY 2020-2021. Academic honors will still be awarded to qualified graduating students.

Prior to the declaration of the covid 19 as a world pandemic, the University has already taken measures and put in place the internal guidelines to safeguard the ISAT U academic community.

Aside from massive information campaign,  Dr. Muyong also issued memoranda for the suspension of the use of biometric machines and RFID, mass gatherings and flag ceremonies; modified work schedules and modified admission procedures. The Administrative Council also doubled their efforts in formulating policies geared towards the safety of the academic community.

Ten thermal scanners were procured and used for body check in going to the different ISAT U campuses. Alcohol and hand sanitizers,  foot bath and the disinfection of incoming vehicles were some of the precautionary measures taken by the University.

In preparation for the possible opening of classes, the face masks and other PPEs for students, faculty and staff were already distributed to the different campuses.

As part of its social responsibility, ISAT U responded  to the call to support the battle against COVID 19 pandemic. The University key officials, faculty and staff showed the spirit of volunteerism and service amidst the threat  of  COVID 19. The University produced aerosol boxes for intubation and personal protective equipment (PPEs).

As of press time, thousands of face mask,  improvised face shields and protective suits were already distributed to frontliners through the City and Provincial Government of Iloilo,  the Philippine National Police and other agencies.

Aerosol boxes were also delivered to different hospitals. Don Jose S. Monfort Medical Center Extension Hospital (Barotac Nuevo) and Western Visayas Medical Center got 2 each, Iloilo Mission Hospital OB Delivery Room (1), and Palawan Provincial Hospital (2).
Extension Services Division Dir. Adrienne D. Veloso said that the production of PPEs was in partnership with community partners. She recognized Angel Cris Calaboa Dressmakers Association, Calaboa Dressmakers Association (Leganes, Iloilo) and Oton Dressmakers Association, Inc. in helping in the production of the face masks.

The production of face shields and aerosol boxes, on the other hand, is being undertaken at the FabLab at the University Research Hub.
ISAT U Pres. Dr. Raul F. Muyong said that the distribution and production of protective suits, aerosol boxes, face masks and face shields is ongoing. The University targets to produce 14,000 pieces of face masks, 500 face shields and 150 units of aerosol boxes to augment the needs of front liners handling the COVID 19 pandemic.

The Extension Services Division (ESD) conducted a blood-letting activity dubbed “Dugo Mo, Buhay Ko” at the New Board Room on February 24, 2020. A total of 21, 150 cc of blood donation was gathered from the the students, faculty and staff.

“Dugo Mo, Buhay Ko” started in 2007  in cooperation with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC). Since then, ISAT U conducts a twice a year bloodletting activity as part of its social responsibility.

The program has already earned recognition from PRC. In 2016, the university received a Platinum Service Awards for sponsoring mass blood donation for five consecutive years with a minimum cumulative total of 500 units donated. A Special Citation-Gold was bestowed on ISAT U on 2017 for conducting not less than five years of continuous blood donation program and has produced not less than 5,000 blood units.

On August 3, 2018, the University also received a Certificate of Meritorious Service from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on the 20th blood donors recognition and awarding ceremony, “Dugo sang Dungganon : 20 years of Honoring Ilonggo Blood Donors.”

Recognizing the demand for blood supply, the ESD pushed for the conduct of the activity. “We need more volunteers, so we campaigned to all colleges, the faculty and employees. The outcome is commendable,” said ESD Director Edrienne D. Veloso.

More 2,000 students filled the Dr. Renato V. Alba Football Field to highlight the One Billion Rising campaign to end violence against women and children (EVAWC) on February 14, 2020.

The traditional celebration of Valentine’s Day was spiced up by students, Physical Education Instructors, Gender and Development (GAD) core group and peer advocates dancing to the tune of ‘Sang Bilyong Babae ang Babangon (One Billion Rising Philippine Theme).

Prof. Emily de La Cruz, GAD focal person , laid down the rationale of the activity. She that the activity wants to sshow the world that women should be free from exploitation. She added that one in three women across the planet will be beaten or raped during her lifetime. The OBR shows further our determination to create a new kind of consciousness where violence will be resisted until it is unthinkable.

The students continued the activity through a dance contest with the theme on campaign for EVAWC and women empowerment.

“We have the biggest number of participants this year compared to previous years, “ Prof. de la Cruz observed.
One Billion Rising was also celebrated simultaneously in all ISAT U Campuses

The latest products of research and innovations of ISAT U and other State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) of the country were the focus of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) 2020 State Universities and Colleges (SUC) Expo at the Activity Center, Ayala Malls, Trinoma on March 9-11, 2020.

Dubbed The Art of SUCCESS, ISAT U along with other SUCs exhibited distinct products showing their involvement to the development of science and technology that could provide impact on the socio-economic sector in their locality.

Attuned to the theme, “Passion, Innovate, and Connection,” ISAT U presented its produce from research and innovation. The university booth offered the yarn and fabrics generated at the newly-launched Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center (RYPIC), bangus hopia and cookies, banana butterscotch and chips a peel (made from banana peel flour), stuffs from the Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab) and the tea products from the dehydrator machine, an ISAT U research innovation.

The yarn from the RYPIC aims to revive the native weaving industry and to develop tropical fibers native to the region. In collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) the project will also provide technical support to micro-small-medium scale enterprises (MSMEs) in textile and allied products through the development and production of natural textile-fiber based yarn. The RYPIC is the first regional yarn innovation center in the country.

The output of the FabLab, on the other hand, jumpstarts the expectation that the facility will spur the growth of micro, small, medium scale enterprises through the university’s research and innovation. The equipment and facilities of the FabLab granted by the Department of Trade and Industry at ISAT U is the only fabrication facility in the region.

Meanwhile the materials for herbal tea  are results of development in research and technology. In October last year, the Dehydrator Machine for Herbal Tea Products was launched. The dehydrator is the latest of the two ISAT U research projects for food processing.
In 2018, a Multi-powered Drying System for Food Production was launched and has been creating impact to the livelihood of the seaweeds farmers. It was also presented by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) to the Senate to support the SUCs budget proposal for research.

The Commission on Higher Education launched the “The Art of SUCCESS: 2020 State Universities and College Expo” to ensure that the Higher Education Act of 1994 continues to promote the country’s research culture and relative functions.
Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez was the guest of honor. Invited guests were HE Peter MacArthur, Embassy of Canada Ambassador-Designate and Ms. Crista McInnis, Senior Trade Commissioner Counselor . Rizal Technological University is this year’s host.

A consultative stakeholders consultation for Fiscal Year 2021 was held simultaneously in all ISAT U campuses on January 30, 2020.

The meeting was pursuant to National Budget Memorandum NO. 133 directing the agencies to conduct consultation with RDC’s, CSO’s, Student/Faculty Associaition and PASUC and other stakeholders on the proposed strategies of the agency for new and expanded programs and projects.

Aside from the students and faculty, representatives from the administrative staff, alumni, College, Community, Parent and Teachers Association (CCPTA) were also invited. “Suppose to be, this is only for students and faculty but we also need the inputs of all the stakeholders, “ said Dr. Raul F. Muyong.

The consultation covered the areas of General Administration and Support Services, Support to Operation, Operations which include advanced education program, higher education program, research program and technical advisory extension program.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Study in the Philippine Program (Education Tourism Program) will support the revival of the ISAT U historic tunnels. The pronouncement was made by Atty. Lily Freida M. Milla, Officer-in Charge, CHEd-International Affairs Staff, when she was invited speaker of the University’s strategic planning on internationalization on Jan. 23-24, 2020.

“Yung commitment namin sa edu-tourism, we have been discussing this with the Chair ( De Vera).  It is about the whole  eco-tourism of making ISAT U as a destination creating more partnership for you not just internationally but also convergence with the communities, with the local government and the national government, “ said Atty. Milla.

The Commission realized the potential of ISAT U’s rich historical and cultural heritage fitted to the priority area of the program.
The then Iloilo Trade School was built in 1905 under the Bureau of Education of the American Civil Government. During the Japanese occupation, tunnels were built in the compound of the school which have been a part of Iloilo City historical and cultural heritage.
“It looks like a deep well but actually it is a tunnel. We wanted to revive that tunnel,” said Dr. Raul Muyong. The tunnel runs from the main campus to the new site and into Salog River in Jaro district..

The University President also recognized the impact of the project once it pushes through. “Iloilo City is a booming city in terms of tourism. So it will boost the tourism industry of our city,” he said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency. “Aside from helping the city’s tourism industry, it will also support the institution’s Bachelor of Science in Tourism program,” Dr. Muyong added.  It has also been known that in several instances Japanese tourists visited the tunnels at the New Site.

He also divulged that at present coordination with the Iloilo City government is undertaken for mapping of the tunnels.
According to National and International Affairs (NIA) Director Nemia H. Mabaquiao,  the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council has already issued a conservation clearance as initial step for the project.  The NIA Office takes lead of the undertaking.

Atty. Milla though clarified that the edu-tourism involves not only the tunnels but also the whole ISAT U. “Very exciting project hindi lang yung tunnel, even the one in Leon for agri-tourism,” she said.

Dr. Raul F. Muyong was also quick to point out the newly-inaugurated Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center that revives the weaving industry at Miagao Campus as another tourist attraction in the making.

“Yan ang partnership ng tourism. The university should actively promote about heritage, about culture, about the potentials also about communities. “Atty. Milla responded.

The project addresses one of the priority areas of the program that is to transform Philippine Higher Education into a hub of world-class higher education in key disciplines that integrates heritage, local culture, and diversity of natural resources which demands acquisition of competencies gained from hands-on and practical experiential learnings in a social laboratory that is characterized by flexibility, industry partnership and convergence of disciplines where learning is a family experience.