February 16, 2021 – A virtual consultative meeting was conducted by ISAT University and its stakeholders in preparation for the fiscal year 2022 budget. Dr. Gabriel M. Salistre Jr., the VP for Administration and Finance, spearheaded the said consultation through the online platform Zoom.

“Our government is continuing the modernization of the national budgeting system to improve the efficiency of the underlying processes like planning, procurement, cash management and payment. These improvements in our public financial management systems are aimed at increasing the volume and enhancing the quality of our public services especially in the SUCs set-up just like ours. This gathering is very important and crucial as we prepare our budget for FY 2022 because we
wanted to involve all our key officials and stakeholders,” Dr. Salistre stated during his opening message.

Dr. Muyong, the university president, gave emphasis on the different achievements and milestones of the University despite the different challenges each department, college, and campus faced during the COVID-19 outbreak. The University continued giving its best especially for the students who are aiming to have quality education in the midst of different threats brought about by the COVID-19.

The meeting proper started with a plenary gathering and right after the messages from Dr. Salistre and Dr. Muyong, the breakout sessions commenced. ADCO members were identified to act as the main facilitators and moderators of the five different pre-assigned group – Faculty, Alumni, Students, Non – Teaching Personnel and Parents.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) approves the Edutourism project of ISAT University under the Culture, Heritage and Museums (CHIM) category. The initiative is part of the Commission’s Study in PH – Edutourism program categorized further into Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishery (AFF) and Environment and Natural Resources (ENR).

“Grantees were selected in areas identified as priority tourism areas under the National Tourism Development Plan 2016-2022 and Tourism Regional Strategic Action Plan, with a view towards the core principle of globalization of education taking advantage of the existing regional development efforts to integrate local cultural, indigenous, and heritage products and practices within the wider global context” according to CHED. Other grantees from the region include UP Visayas, ISCOF, University of Antique and Guimaras State College.

A three – storey cultural heritage and educational research center will soon rise at the University’s new site as part of the 9 MILLION worth project granted by CHED for its construction. This building will have 3 floors with different key functions such as; ELibrary, Museum, gallery and a roof top café among others. It will be also a one-stop shop that can cater local and foreign guests as well as students who might need to do cultural researches and exposures.

“We are very happy because finally after a series of meetings and presentations, we are set to start the project that will be very beneficial not just for our University but also for the edutourism industry here in the City. With this project, we look forward that it will bring a lot of possible opportunities for our students and different stakeholders. Also, it will be a one-stop shop for the local and international tourists visiting our City” Dr. Nemia H. Mabaquiao, the project leader shared.

This project is set to start in the first quarter of this year.

January 25, 2021 – A total of 5,416 units of electronic tablets were distributed to the various colleges of the university. Students from the CIT, CEA, COE and CAS of Iloilo City Campus were the first ones to get hold of this brand-new gadget pre – installed with learning packets. An additional 493 units will soon be purchased to cover as many students as possible.

The distribution is part of the university’s commitment to bridge the gap for remote learning and to better prepare the students for the roll out of ISATU’s Virtual Learning Environment (ISAT U VLE). Dr. Raul F. Muyong, the University President gave emphasis that every student who received the tablet should take care of it because it is government’s property. Also present were the University key officials and the different deans of the mentioned colleges.

“Despite this very challenging time, the University is trying its best to provide you with the right facilities to make your learning enjoyable. I don’t want to use the word challenging because in as much as possible we wanted you all to have fun and enjoy in this new modality of learning. The tablets that will be provided to you is a big help in your remote learning starting this semester although as of now these units are not enough for everybody but we are trying to raise funds for us to purchase more units” Dr. Muyong during his opening message.

Dr. Ramil Lumauag, Director of the Virtual Learning Environment also gave an orientation on how to properly use and maximize the functions of the ETablets.  All the applications will be installed and it can be accessed by an enrolled student provided that they have their user name and the password and the lectures and other class materials can be downloaded and be opened even offline.

“This tablet will be a big for me because in the previous semester, I was only using my cell phone and the struggle was so real, trying to read notes and other modules in a small screen caused me eyestrains. 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.

It’s no coincidence that these two visionary leaders got the chance to work together for a mutually beneficial endeavour that could better the lives of the community they are serving, listening to their people and taking into consideration their welfare above all.

Yes, you’ve read it right! DR. RAUL F. MUYONG and HON. RAUL N. BANIAS are partners in doing public service and were both born to be the modern heroes in this time. Public servants with a heart, indeed!

“Rauls were really born handsome and intellectual…” Mayor Banias started his opening message with this island-ish punch.

“We are not made Raul for nothing!” Dr. Muyong responded with a humble tone that captured the heart of everybody and made them even more attentive to what he was saying.

It was in 2018 when the partnership started and the same thread of thinking connected them and made the partnership even stronger and communication lines were kept open. The good mayor recalled that since before he had already an engagement with the institution because he took his ROTC in the fields of the then Institute and it is so refreshing to be re-connected with its amazing people again.

The Citizen Satisfaction Index System which was funded by the Department of Interior and Local Government paved the way for this incredible encounter and partnership – the heart of it all.

“Rest assured that ISAT U will be here for you and we are really happy to be of service!” Dr. Muyong is always open for more collaborations in the name of public service.

Dr. Raul F. Muyong, university president, reiterated his message of development and inclusivity for all campuses during the pre – opening conference for faculty for the 2nd semester, academic year 2020 – 2021, held on January 15, 2021 via Zoom.

In his report, Muyong emphasized the various accomplishments of the university despite the prevailing pandemic. This includes the completion of student services center, university library, L – building and other infrastructure projects all across the system. He also mentioned about the distribution of 5, 416 units of electronic tablets with learning packets and the corresponding approval and purchase of additional 493 units this semester.

Recently, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) handed the PRIME HRM Maturity Level 2 (Bronze Award) to the university with the distinction as the first SUC in Panay to receive the award. The ISAT U – DTI Fablab was also recognized by the Department of Industry (DTI) as the best fabrication laboratory in the country in Covid-19 responses and innovations and the “people’s choice” awardee during the annual Fabsiklaban: Fabricating the New Normal event. This is a validation to the efforts of the university in producing personal protective equipment (PPE) and innovative, science based – based projects in partnership with DOST, LGUs, and other public and private organizations.

The university also trail blazed the conduct of webinars designed to address the pressing concerns of students and other stakeholders during this pandemic. “No matter how difficult the situation is, just go, go, go,” Muyong added in his speech.

“Survey done scientifically is very important because it helps us better understand people’s perception of how we implement our local projects and initiatives to better our services for our people,” Hon. Raul Banias said during his message on the recently concluded Citizen Satisfaction Index System Results (CSIS) held in Concepcion, Iloilo.

The ISAT U team headed by Dr. Raul F. Muyong, the University President, worked hand in hand with the local government unit of Concepcion, Iloilo under the leadership of their town Mayor, Hon. Raul Banias to discuss the results of the survey and provide support in the crafting of their citizen – priority action plan through the conduct of a focus group discussion among the registered civil society organizations in the municipality.

The primary goal of doing this survey is to know the citizens perception to the various local government services of the LGU and further enhance their delivery in the process.

In January 13, the team visited Concepcion again to present the survey results before the constituents, municipal department heads and CSOs among others.

“Public institutions should help each other and as your partner, rest assured that ISAT U will be always here to support you!” Dr. Muyong said on his message.

The CSIS is a landmark and funded project of the DILG. This is now the third time that the university was engaged to conduct the study after LGU Zarraga and Dumangas, Iloilo.