Dr. Raul F. Muyong presents the university’s strategic direction to DOST Sec. Fortunato T. De La Pena.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Sec. Fortunato T. De La Pena visited ISAT U on July 28, 2018 and identified  its research strength . This will be the basis of  DOST’s support to the research development programs of the university whose mandate is science and technology.

In response, Dr. Raul F. Muyong presented the strategic direction of ISAT U.  The different campuses are ushered towards specific areas based on their strengths and environment. Iloilo City campus designed its program to become the center of engineering, science and technology while Leon Campus focuses on agriculture and forestry and to become an agro-eco tourism/farm tourism center. Dumangas and Barotac Nuevo Campus is geared towards technopreneurship and Miagao Campus for industrial and creative design.

The ISAT U technological and research strength was considered when it was selected as the regional yarn production and innovation center. Director Celia B. Elumba of the Phil. Textile Research Institute (PTRI) presented the program’s objective to revive Iloilo’s traditional weaving industry by providing technical support to local weavers. Dr. Carmelo V. Ambut, ISAT U VPRE, elaborated the school’s technological and research capabilities as counterpart of the program implementation.

DOST scholars  pose with Sec. Fortunato T. De La Pena (standing, middle) at the Audio Visual Room of the Research Hub. In photo are (front row, r-l), Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga, RD DOST RO 6; PTRI Dir. Celia B. Elumba; Dr. Emelyn Flores, ARD for Technical Operations, DOST RO 6, and Dr. Carmelo V. Ambut, ISAT U VPRE.

Sec. De La Pena also met with the DOST scholars. He pointed out that scholarship is one of DOST’s program on the area of human resource and development.  The 130 scholars, second largest in Western Visayas, were encouraged to study hard and to make use of the opportunity given to them.

 The Secretary asked the students to reciprocate the support of the agency by maximizing their efforts and focus on researches for nation building. He also underscored science and development through “Science for the People :Innovation for Collective Prosperity,” which is the theme of the 2018 National Science and Technology Week.

Sec. Fortunato T. De La Pena (middle) of the Department of Science and Technology raises some points after the presentation of the concept of DOSTi2TELA: Inclusive Innovation TELA (Textiles Empowering Lives Anew) program .  Also in photo are (from left) Dr, Carmelo V. Ambut, VPRE; Ms. Celia B. Elumba, PTRI Director; Dr. Raul F. Muyong and Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga, Regional Director, DOST RO 6.

The Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) tapped ISAT U as the regional yarn production and innovation center under the Department of Science and Technology DOSTi2TELA: Inclusive Innovation TELA (Textiles Empowering Lives Anew) program. PTRI is the premier textile research and development arm of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) .

The concept of the program was presented to DOST Sec. Fortunato T. De La Pena  during his visit on July 28, 2018.

According to Ms. Celia B. Elumba, PTRI Director, the three year program is aimed at reviving the textile industry in Iloilo by providing technical support to the local weavers. The major aspects of the project is the use of native materials (banana and pineapple fiber) for fabric-making, dyes from indigenous plants and materials, and the traditional way of weaving. It is an agro-industry integration with ecological, cultural and tourism components.

Iloilo City, Leon, Dumangas and Miagao Campuses were tapped to collaborate for the program implementation. Leon and Dumangas Campuses will provide experts in cultivating raw materials for textile and dyes. The Iloilo City Campus, on the other hand, will provide expertise in science, engineering and technology. The Research Hub will house the equipment and facilities granted by PTRI for dye research and processing.

The prototype loom machines will be housed at the proposed textile village in Miag-ao Campus. It will bolster the town’s tourism because loom machines that dates back in Pre-Spanish era, the hablon it produces, along with the famed Miagao Church are the town’s tourist attractions.

The handloom weaving at Miagao, Iloilo. (picture courtesy of mybeatifulIlOILO.blogspot.com)

Dr. Carmelo V. Ambut, ISAT U Vice President for Research and Extension, described how the proposed textile village promote tourism and industry,  “a showcase of the artisan handloom weaving evolving into production slowly unfolds as one traverses the campus’ forested area. This will be labeled as “forest walk” and will be one of the tourist attractions in Iloilo.”

He added that it could also be a potential income-generating spot. “A certain part can be allotted for a “trading post” where one can buy hablons, local fibers blends and other souvenir items. The said “forest walk” ends with a visit on the production facility of local fiber blend factor which will be run by a private partner and is the recipient of the research and development outputs of the research program,” Dr. Ambut explained.

The PTRI granted 43 million pesos for the project while ISAT U will provide the facilities and the expertise for identification/survey of fibrous plants and to conduct ethno-botanical study on the local fibers in Region VI, yarn development and dyeing, propagation and identification of local source of fibers and dyes, prototyping of machineries for textile, and socio-economics and eco-tourism studies.

Instructors from different colleges and universities take time in selecting materials for their discipline.

“The book fair was held to update the collections of the university library and to give the faculty  a chance to have actual selection of materials needed for their respective disciplines,” explained Mrs. Ninfa G. Geloryao, ISAT U university librarian, during the Book Fair participated by eight bookstores  on July 12-13, 2018.

A total of 861  titles in general education, engineering, technology and education were selected by the college deans and instructors.  362 books were selected for College of Arts and Science,  135 for College of Engineering and Architecture, 188 for College of Industrial Technology and 176  for  College of Education.

Mrs. Geloryao said that, “all books selected were copyrighted for the last five years but we prefer to buy the 2016, 2017, 2018 and the latest editions, all paper and hard bound. The materials selected were for undergraduate programs and the graduate school as well.”

Past and Present Librarians. Mrs. Ninfa G. Geloryao (middle), strikes a pose with her predecessor,  Dr. Nida Gomez (left),  former ISAT U Librarian, who took time to visit the  Book Fair.

Considering the need for updated materials, the different college deans pledged to help cope with the financial requirements. Mrs. Geloryao said that the pledges will augment the Php 1.4 million budget allocation by the university library for books purchases for 2019.

Aside from librarians and faculty members from ISAT U external campuses, the Book Fair was also attended by delegates from University of Iloilo-PHINMA, John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation Maritime University, St. Therese MTC Colleges- Main and La Fiesta Site, University of Antique, ISCOF-Barotac Nuevo Campus and Cabalum Western College.

The participating bookstores were the C&E Publishing, Inc. , Page One Trading, D’ Tops Bookstore, New Century Books and Gen. Merchandise, Global International Education Link Enterprises Co., Super Pages Trading, CD Books International, Inc. and Mind Mover Publishing House, Inc.

On-the-Spot Painting and Miss Q & A.

Different student organizations  joined the nation in the campaign to eliminate plastic pollution through a series of activities attuned to the National Environment Month 2018 celebration theme, “Beat Plastic Pollution: If you can’t reuse it, refuse it.”

A campus clean-up drive was organized by the Environmental Club in cooperation with Architecture Department and Science Department on June 27-28. The two-day activity also featured an on-the-spot painting and a song writing competition which highlighted the impact of plastic pollution.

Adding color to the celebration, the Science Department opened a Mini-Eco Exhibit showcasing students’ outputs on the reuse and recycling of plastic wastes and organized a mini concert dubbed Tinig at Himig ng Kabataan Para sa Kalikasan.

One of the highlights was the lecture forum by Dr. Daniel Agan, President, Youth Proyekto Phils., Inc. His talked was pinned on environmental advocacy and environmental degradation and its impact to the lives of men, women and children and the impact of plastic pollution.

Capping the event was the Search for Miss Q & A Kalikasan 2018. The pageant tested the wit of the participants to answer questions on environmental concerns as well as their ingenuity in creating costumes out of recycled materials, mostly plastic.

Earlier, faculty members and students under the NSTP, members of the SAVERS and ROTC officers organized another off-campus clean-up activity at the Iloilo River Esplanade on June 23, 2018.

Students and faculty members gather bags of garbage at the Iloilo River Esplanade .