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.

ISAT U – DTI FabLab grabbed first place and was consequently declared as the people’s choice awardee in the recently concluded “Fabsiklaban: Fabricating the New Normal”, held last January 7 – 9, 2021.

The national competition sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry and DOST’s Advance Manufacturing Center (AMCEN) featured thirteen (13) participating fabrication laboratories in the country, with each one showcasing their various responses and innovations during this pandemic through a 5- minute video.

ISAT U – DTI FabLab was first place in the COVID-19 Response Innovations category which is a recognition of its relevant and innovative products as contributions to health workers, front liners, LGU’s and other institutions. It was also hailed as the “People’s Choice” from among the contestants which clearly shows the support of the public at large.

The other participating FabLabs include, UP Cebu, UP Los Banos, Cebu Technological University – Tuburan, USeP DigiHub, CTU – Danao, Fablab BISCAST, Fablab Bohol, Fablab Bicol, Fablab DHVTSU, Fablab JHCSC, St. Louis University and Fablab Siquijor State College.

 

 

 

December 14, 2020 – Hon. J. Prospero De Vera III, CHED Chairperson led the orientation and distribution of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) which took place at the Regional Office of National Economic Development Authority in Iloilo City. Different SUC Presidents, CHED personnel and student beneficiaries were present during the said event.

Despite the challenges and threat of the current pandemic, it did not stop Hon. De Vera III to be physically present and be that beacon of hope to the lives of the students who dream of having a bright future. “Supposedly this occasion will be done through zoom only but being here physically makes a difference!” Hon. De Vera said during his speech.

This year, thousands of deserving students received an amount of P40,000 for the entire school year 2019-2020. The subsidy will be of help for their school fees, school requirements and other projects especially in this time.

“The student beneficiaries were carefully chosen and evaluated based on their family’s income and those who are poorest of the poor but deserving students. They will be qualified after a series of background checking and confirmation” said Mrs. Adeliada Tabud, the University Scholarship Coordinator.

In an interview with ISAT U president, Dr. Raul F. Muyong, he stated that the subsidy will be of big help for the students in improving their way of life particularly in the context of flexible learning modalities.

“On top of availing free higher education, the TES beneficiaries will be able to buy their own gadgets and cell phone load for connectivity purposes which will be used for the new normal way of learning.” Dr. Muyong said.

“There’s no reason for the students not to finish their education due to poverty because of this opportunity given to them…” the president added.

 

 

 

January 5, 2021 – The Iloilo Science and Technology University’s project entitled: Development of Iloilo Province Employment Portal and

Services (IPEPS) with Data Analysis under the Good Governance through Data Science and Decision Support System (GODDESS) in Cooperation with Iloilo Provincial Government Public Employment Service (IPG-PESO) has been successfully submitted and approved. A virtual Forum and Contract Signing Ceremony took place on the said date with invitees coming from different parts of the country such as FSUU, PhilRice and ISU. Dr. Enrico C. Parinngit, the PCIEERD Executive Director graced the virtual ceremonial contract signing.

Dr, Raul F. Muyong, the ISAT U president signed the contract with the presence of the team’s project leader, Dr. Yvette Gonzales along with her members from Smarter Philippines through Data Analytics R&D, Training and Adoption Scholars (SPARTA) with the aim to address the gap in in-demand jobs and available skills and give services to labor and employment.

“To improve the existing system and make it more dynamic; job seekers, employer, academe, students and training provider centered, the development of Iloilo Province Employment Portal and Services (IPEPS) with Data Analytics will be developed. It is a web-based application that has six (6) components, the Job Seekers Registry, Employers Registry module, Employment registry module, Training registry module, Academe registry module and Students registry module.  Data analytics will be incorporated to forecast real-time data and relevant features will be included” Dr. Gonzales stated in an interview.

The project will run from January – December 2021 and it is funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) under the Good Governance through Data Science and Decision Support System (GODDESS) Program.