Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) sent three fourth year education students to Thailand for their practicum under the Southeast Asian Minister of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange in Southeast Asia (SEA Teacher) Program.

Sent to Thailand as pre service exchange student teachers were Ma. Sheila Glenda F. Ramos  (BEED) , Yvonne Panghari (BEED)  and Kesser John S. Sibonga (BSE, Physical Science).

Ramos and Panghari conducted their teaching experiences at Changrai Rajabhat University and Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University from Jan. 22 to Feb. 20, 2018.  Sibonga, on the other hand, trained at Buriram Rajabhat  University from  Jan. 29 to Feb. 27, 2018.

Per agreement signed for the exchange of pre-service student teachers under the Southeast Asia Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange Program of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO), ISAT U hosted  three Indonesian students  and  one Thai for their teaching experiences.

The Indonesians were Jeng Anggi Priyatni and Uswatun Hasanah from Tanjungpura University and are taking up Faculty in Teacher Training and Education major in English. Yohana Nenes Talia, another Indonesian from Lambung Mangkurat University (UNLAM), Pontianak City, West Borneo, is taking up Primary Teacher Education. Jeng Anggi and Hassana were assigned at the Laboratory School while Yohana  at Graciano Lopez Jaena Elementary School.

On the other hand, Nutthapong Yodboonheang, who is from Thailand and  taking up Faculty of Education Major in Science Education (Chemistry) at Khon Kaen University, conducted his pre-service training at the Laboratory School from Feb. 1 to 28, 2018.

Aside from classroom activities, the exchange students were also exposed to different activities like the Dinagyang Festival and Salakayan Festival in Miagao and were tripped to different tourist and historic spots of Iloilo and Guimaras.

The SEA Teacher Project or the “Pre–Service Student Teacher Exchange in Southeast Asia” aims to provide opportunities for pre-service student teachers whose major are mainly in English, math, science and pre-school to conduct their practicum  in other Southeast Asian countries for one month.

 

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A dialogue between the students and university key  officials focusing on academic concerns and school facilities was held on January 24, 2018.

Among the major concerns raised were the implementation of the Pre-Service Student Teacher Exchange in Southeast Asia (SEA Teacher Project), the pre- graduation and post-graduation activities, compliance of graduation requirements, the school facilities and the problems of on-the-job training. The students also raised some concerns and recommendations for the improvement of school services.

The insufficient time to comply with the 900 hours requirement for on-the-job training was raised. It was pointed out that students have to spend Saturdays and Sundays and even semestral and Christmas break to cope with the requirements. Dr. Raul F. Muyong explained that the 900 hour requirement is included in the curriculum but made the assurance that it will be considered in the ongoing curriculum review. Dr. Rene L. Celda, CIT Dean, added that some industries do not allow overtime and Saturday and Sunday duty for OJTs. Prof. Pedro H. Fontonalgo noticed that the late enrolment of applicants results to late engagement in OJT. He advised students to realign their value system and attitude; return on time and enroll on time.

The qualifications for the SEA Teacher Project were also clarified. Dr. John Eric V. Juaneza, COE Dean, explained that applicants should not only bank on monetary requirements but should also develop pedagogical skills, must be competitive, and must focus on academics aspects to satisfy the counterpart. The applicants must also have a good behavior for the past three years. Dr. Muyong justified that the program was implemented in the second semester thereby giving opportunity only to students enrolled in that period. He added that candidates should be academically prepared, passed the series of interviews conducted by SEAMEO, academically proficient and physically and emotionally stable.

On the question of stopping the enrolment for BS Marine Engineering (BSMarE) program, Dr. Muyong explained that the compliance for shipboard training (SBT) requirement was not met and in fact, no SUCs in Western Visayas was allowed to offer the program. However, an application for reopening of the BSMarE will be made soon and the school will find ships qualified for SBT. A student suggested that in case the program is reinstated, a Shipboarding Officer should not have a teaching load to give him time to focus as Ship Board Training Officer.

The students appealed for voluntary contributions on students’ activities. Dr. Alejo P. Biton, CAS Dean, made clear that contributions and the mode of payment of students’ organizations and activities were products of the members’ consensual agreement and the administration has nothing to do with it for as long as it is non-violative. Dr. John Eric V. Juaneza, COE Dean, added that the performance of students’ activities must be supported with the minutes of the meeting and resolution  and submitted to the office of the college dean.

Dr. Asucena Asuncion E. Echaverria, Director of the Student Services, was also inclined to permit the conduct of JS Prom, Graduation Ball and other personality development programs for it promote social and personal growth. She, however, emphasized that such activities should complement satisfactory academic endeavors and that they just have to be be prudent on expenses.

The issue of changing the posted official class schedule was also raised. Dr. Biton answered that there are factors to be considered like conflict between teachers work schedule. In such case, all involved and affected will be informed the soonest.

On the query of whether there are requirements or qualifying exam for moving up from third year to fourth year, Dr. Muyong clarified that retention policies are not yet included in the policy manual but he emphasized that the students must do their best in their studies.

The BS Mechanical Engineering students asked if the school could provide additional equipment and facility for their training since they are paying laboratory fees. Dr. Russ Allen B. Napud, Director for Planning, Development and Auxiliary Services (PDAS), explained that the amount they are paying could not cope with the cost of the laboratory equipment needed. However, the school is gradually securing the facilities for the program. The Computer Department is now in the process of converting some lecture rooms into laboratory rooms and of setting up of computer units which just arrived in the second semester of the school year.

Dr. Muyong enumerated projects and plans to address the students’ needs. He started with the procurement of a 60-seater school bus through the school’s Integrated Income Resource Generation Program. The 5-million pesos vehicle will be used for the students’ activities.

The newly-created Public Information and Publication Office is also on the process of assessment of its facilities to improve the hardware components of the public address system.

For easier processing of transactions, a student service center worth 20 million pesos will be constructed at the new site later this year. The 4-storey building will be a one-stop-shop center for admission to graduation transactions.

The university president also underlined the on-going construction of the access road that will connect the two campuses and the 40-million pesos library. “The state of the art library would include a cafeteria and will provide more space . . . this is not a traditional library,” said Dr. Muyong.

He also disclosed that on the February 9, 2018 budget consultation, the proposal for the construction of a 100-million pesos covered sports and wellness facility will be included. This will house a dance studio that could be a venue for national competitions and a sports facility that can house a PBA game.

The students and the computer laboratories will soon enjoy faster internet connectivity. According to Dr. Muyong, the Board of Regents has already approved to go on with the installation of fiber optics facility for the internet connection.

The RFID (radio frequency ID) will be implemented both for the students and for the faculty and staff. The system will be used for time tracking of the RFID holder coming in and going out of the campus.

The university president also discussed the Access to Free Higher Education Act. He emphasized that for the next school year tighter admission and retention policy will be implemented, “Not everybody who took the exam will be taken in but only the best students. . .we will just meet the quota per program. We will go for quality, not quantity.”

Other issues aired that will be given attention in the next Administrative Council Meeting were the request of the laboratory school for the inclusion in no uniform day every wash day, the improvement in the services of the university cafeteria, and the expansion and medical supplies of the university clinic.

The Iloilo Science and Technology University and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) signed an agreement as Partner-Implementers in the implementation of the Sagana at Ligtas na Tubig sa Lahat (SALINTUBIG), Assistance to Disadvantaged Municipalities (ADM), and other Water and Sanitation Governance Programs under the Western Visayas Integrated Safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WeV-iWaSH) Hub.

As stipulated in the Philippine Development Plan and Philippine Development Forum, the DILG is the lead agency for the capacity of development of participating municipalities of the above-mentioned programs.

The Memorandum of Agreement was signed by Dr. Raul F. Muyong, ISAT U President and Atty. Anthony C. Nuyda, Regional Director, DILG RO 6 on August 29, 2017. Stated in the agreement, the school through its mandates for research and development and extension services that are expected to benefit local communities will provide assistance and collaboration to achieve the objectives of WeV-iWaSH Hub.

The establishment of  WeV-iWaSH Hub for Capacity Development enables target municipalities with waterless barangays to access the basic water related services during the period 2017-2022. The participating institutions of the regional hub provides expertise, knowledge and information on iWaSH governance and extends guidance and motivation to the participating municipalities on how to avail iWaSH services. It also empowers and capacitates stakeholders by providing pool of trainers, and through trainings and alternative learning approaches to acquire, manage and sustain facilities for water and sanitation. It also provides assistance in the monitoring and evaluating the performance and in documentation of good practices of iWaSH in the participating municipalities. The partner-implementers will likewise develop Capacity Development Programs, and Business Plan for the sustainability of the Regional iWaSH Hub.

Through the Research and Services Division, ISAT U assisted the DILG in implementing the program in the municipalities of Mambusao and Pilar in the Province of Capiz.

The Association of Science and Mathematics Coaches (ASMaC) of the Philippines  in collaboration with ISAT U and the Southeast Asian Minister of Education Organization ((SEAMEO) Regional Centre for Quality Improvement of Teachers and Education Personnel (QITEP) in Mathematics conducted the 2018 National Research Conference and Teachers’ Convention on January 24-26, 2018 at Iloilo City.

Prof. Jasper L. Pastrano, ASMaC National President and ISAT U Faculty member, highlighted the purpose of the convention. “This conference is a testament of our continued commitment in enhancing research capabilities of our teachers and students.” He added that the event will provide an opportunity for scholars, to present findings of their research, establish new collaboration and build friendship.

With the theme, Revitalizing Research as a Platform to Education for Sustainable Development, the conference was attended by 159 teacher and student delegates from State Universities and Colleges and public high schools and elementary schools nationwide.

There were two delegates from Mumbai, India- Mrs. Larzy Vangheese, Founder and Principal, St. Mathew’s High School and Junior College and Mr. Aravind RK, Proprietor, CEO/Managing Director at RK Academy Mumbai.  Mrs. Vangheese also presented her study entitled Education for All.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Wahyudi , Centre Director, SEAMEO Regional Center for QITEP in Mathematics in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, articulated on the topic: “Education for Sustainable Development Start from our Classroom.”

In the plenary session, the speakers were Dr. Levi Esteban Elipane, Asso. Prof. of the Philippine Normal University and De La Salle University; Dr. Trinidad M. Lagarto, Senior Education Program Specialist, Student Inclusion Division, Bureau of Learning Delivery, DepEd Central Office; and Prof. Julito Contado Aligaen, Prof. ISAT U, Leon Campus.

Dr. Elipane conveyed the state and the future of Science and Mathematics education in the Philippines. On the other hand, Dr. Lagarto talked on the description of the implementation of the Grade I Curriculum under the K+12 Program while Dr. Aligaen dwelt on understanding the significance of research in the context of ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) proposed outline.

The gathering was also a venue for presentation of results of  studies of the participants.  A total of 84 papers were presented in the parallel sessions and the best researches in the different category were also given recognition.