The External Affairs Office through the National and International Affairs (NIA) and the Employees Association – Iloilo City Campus championed the webinar series for the non-teaching personnel of all ISAT U Campuses entitled, “ISAT U kag ang Bugal sang Iloilo: An Initiative to Internationalize Guest Handling”.This was a 4-part webinar held via Zoom on July 14, 21, 28 and August 4, 2021.Dr. Raul F. Muyong, ISAT U President, welcomed the resource speakers during the plenary session on July 14, 2021 which started promptly at 8:00 o’clock in the morning. Mrs.Sofia Celeste E. Sarino — Accredited Tour Guide of the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas, Ms. Angeline E. Basco — Accredited Tour Guide of the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas and CIT NIA Coordinator of ISAT U, and Ms. Mona Luisa C. de Guzman – Accredited Tour Guide of the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas and Director of the Industry Linkages and Development Office of ISAT U were the three esteemed resource speakers of the webinar series.The national and international visitors to ISAT U’s five campuses must be well received and afforded culturally relevant courtesies and considerations since the University values its many partnerships with higher education institutions, industry partners, and other stakeholders within the country and around the world.Creating and sustaining these national and international linkages means involving all employees of the University in trainings that could help improve their guest relations skills.The Guest Handling webinar series aimed to train school personnel to have a common process and language when assisting guests and stakeholders.This allows the University to brand ISAT U’s employees’ interaction of excellent service which adds value to its name.Topics discussed on “Guest Handling Basics; Places and People; Iloilo: The Food Haven of the Philippines” and the virtual tour on the fourth installment of the webinar aimed to increase the non-teaching personnel’s motivation and engagement, improve their knowledge and skills set, and boost their confidence and morale as well.The local and international stakeholders are also beneficiaries of the training.The knowledge and skills learned from the webinar could increase guest satisfaction, improve cultural relations, sustain and further expand partnerships.The webinar also aimed to help increase international recognition, improve the reputation, standing and uniqueness of ISAT U in the international higher education arena which will ultimately make known the “tatak ISAT U” in Southeast Asia and beyond. hrvatskafarmacija24– Jieza J. Napone, LPT

 

Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) received a Trophy and INPUT Certificate as a winner of Excellence Award in the University Group of the APEC Innovation in Public Transportation Competition in Shanghai China. The INPUT Competition is a project approved and supported by the APEC Policy Partnership on Science, Technology and Innovation (PPSTI).

The competition was launched in January 15, 2020 and was concluded last July 2021. Members of the team are Dr. Yvette Gonzales (Head, Comp. Dept. / Computing Lab), Dr. Carmelo Ambut (VPRE), Engr. Giovanni Gerard Araque (DIT), Rotherford Marmibe (MIT) and Nico Guarnes (BSCS).

The project was realized due to the rapid urbanization, population density and growth of the Philippines and caused traffic congestion in roads of major cities throughout the country. The project aims to improve the Philippines’ current transportation

dilemma by using transport models that integrate older modes with newer travel transportation methodologies towards sustainable and modernized mass transit systems.

ISAT University through its Research and Services Division (RSD) has produced various externally funded researches that have positively impact industries and communities.

Congratulations team ISATU!

The Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 6 invited ISAT U to present its internationalization efforts and achievements during the Virtual Webinar on “Fostering ASEAN Relations through Internationalization Initiatives” on August 4, 2021.

Dr. Raul F. Muyong, ISAT U President, presented 14 best practices of the ISAT U External Affairs: (1) External Affairs

policies and guidelines are in place; (2) sustainable and collaborative global relations by proactively formalizing

partnerships through Memorandum of Agreement, Memorandum of Understanding and FOCs; (3) the External Affairs also initiates the faculty, staff and student international mobility making sure that no one is left behind among the stakeholders from all ISAT U campuses in terms

of international growth and development; (4) strategically planned and implemented internationalization activities; (5) providing access to international scholarships and travel grants for faculty, staff and students; (6) the ISAT U administration recognizes opportunities for internationalization which benefit the University’s stakeholders; (7)  active in joining international competitions which empower the faculty, staff and students of ISAT U; (8) collaborative approach to internationalization wherein all ISAT U campuses, all colleges, offices and stakeholders are included in the internationalization agenda; (9) nurturing an international research culture; (10) improved marketing and communications; (11)  equipping the ISAT U website to handle international searches; (12) qualified External Affairs team members who complement each other’s strengths, talents, skills to produce the best output for internationalization activities; (13)  fostering good personal and professional relations with and among the external affairs team members and the rest of the stakeholders of ISAT U.

All these best practices paved the way for ISAT U to be one of the recipients of the 1^St Philippine Higher Education Internationalization Award from the Commission on Higher Education and the University of the Philippines Open University on May 19, 2021.

As the University continually moves forward in its proactive approach to internationalization through the External Affairs Office, the ISAT U stakeholders look forward to greater possibilities of meaningful collaborations among global higher education institutions in the foreseeable future through the National and International Affairs Office. The men and women of the ISAT U External Affairs continuously work at creating an impact in Iloilo, in the Philippines and the world at large especially during this time of the pandemic through the internationalization of education to ultimately help produce leaders of the future.

 

(c) Jieza J. Napone, LPT

 

What are the innovations of the university library since we are in this new normal right now?

“Since last year during the pandemic, we have started our online processes. All requests were done through google form and its being emailed to us by our clienteles. Different innovations were made like for example, the chat with your librarian linked in our website wherein the students and faculty can just simply chat with us their concerns and we make sure to be responsive as possible. Also in our official website, we have posted the different links of our subscription and the open access databases so they can easily access it. These are free and our students can simply click on those links for the materials they need. These innovations are working well and we are happy to be of service to our students despite the challenges we are facing right now. In fact, our website and Facebook are gaining more views. Our official facebook page is ISATU Library and our new acquisitions are all posted there since we have wider scope of coverage and this is the most common platform our students are using.”

What are the challenges you have experienced in giving services to our students since the pandemic started?

Making the resources available to our students while considering their safety and protection was our main concern during the height of the pandemic. We have to plan out the best possible way for us to still continue giving services to our clienteles especially our students without putting their safety at stake. Of course, the main platform is through online and after those trials and error, we were able to pull off everything and helped graduate school students graduate despite the pandemic. Undergraduate students were also catered through online requests especially with their thesis references. Although taxing because we need to photocopy and scan the documents and send it back to the students but we have to do whatever we can do help them reach their dream of finishing their degree.

I miss seeing students in the four corners of this library and at times, I also miss to chat with them and seeing them physically is totally different that chatting with them online. This library was filled with uniformed students 2 years ago but now, the halls and pathways are emptied and it makes me feel sad in a way. But this is the new normal we are living right now and all we can do is to adopt and adjust.

What’s the development with our on-going library construction?

The construction of this three-story building is still ongoing and is already 91 percent work in progress and we hope that by the end of this year, the construction will be completed. We have already started packing some of our books actually and we are ready to transfer anytime soon and give better services to our clienteles.

Our soon-to-be new library has an elevator and censored doors and on the third floor there will be a mezzanine and a roof deck with wood flooring which was designed by our very own architects.

We look forward for the completion of this big project.

 

 

Though an empty lobby and classroom is a poignant reminder of the pandemic, they also serve as a faithful scene to be creative, to keep on innovating.

ISAT U fully understands the complexity of the situation.

The easy way is just to stop and wait. The other way is to try and innovate for the sake of education and learning. We chose the latter.

ISAT U conducted a preliminary survey to determine and assess the connectivity issues of students and teachers in the system. The results and recommendations paved the way for the purchase of electronic tablets and WIFI modem for students, connectivity subsidy for teachers, and minor adjustments to some policies allowing for maximum leniency in students’ performance and grades.

This also led to the creation of our own Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) as part of the approved learning continuity plan of the University. This investment is for the long haul. It is designed to bridge learning while face to face (F2F) is not allowed and augment the teacher – learner experience when the pandemic is gone.

Flexible learning is not only online classes. It is a combination of other modalities that best suit the context of the student. The University also ventured into delivering hard copies of modules to students coming from different localities who opted to use them. That way, their learning and hopes to finish college on time is not sacrificed. Flexible learning gave them options. And these options do not include waiting for another academic year when there is no end in sight for Covid 19 just yet.

The University continues to work with all stakeholders to ensure that everyone, most especially the students, get the best out of this very challenging situation. “Flexible learning needs a lot of getting used to, but it surely is the better option compared to being exposed to the virus or waiting for another year to graduate,” remarked by Reniel, a working student and a BSIT junior. “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 in reference to the electronic tablets distributed by the University as a support to the students.

These stories are perhaps all too familiar now. The pandemic is still here. And while we are one in praying that this will not be for long, we would like to make this as our story of determination and triumph – the ISAT U way.

Hence, we would like to reiterate the full support of ISAT University to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) under the leadership of Chairperson J. Prospero “Popoy” De Vera lll on flexible learning and the way forward for higher education institutions.

 

Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) has once again gained another international partner and this time from Taichung, Taiwan. National Chin Yi University (NCUT) and ISAT U had a virtual Memorandum of Agreement signing last April 20, 2021.

The event was attended by Dr. Wen-Yuan Chen, President of NCUT Taiwan and Prof. Cheng Chi Wang, Vice Dean- NCUT Office of the International Affairs. Dr. Raul F. Muyong -President of Iloilo Science and Technology University was in attendance and received full support from the Vice Presidents of the University: Dr. Corazon C. Corbal – Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Gabriel M. Salistre, Jr. – Vice President for Administration and Finance, Dr. Carmelo V. Ambut – Vice President for Research and Extension, and Dr. Nemia H. Mabaquiao – Vice President for External Affairs whose efforts for securing the partnership with the Taiwan University. The External Campus Administrators from ISAT U Leon, Miagao, Barotac Nuevo and Dumangas were also in attendance with the respective College Deans from the Iloilo City campus.

The National Chin Yi University is in Northeast Asia and ISAT U’s second international partner from that part of the globe. The National Institute of Technology – Sasebo College Japan was the first one to formally sign a Memorandum of Understanding with ISAT U just last March 3, 2021. NCUT is currently ISAT U’s 45^th international partner school, an addition to the international collaborators of the University from Northeast and Southeast Asia.

ISAT U and NCUT have agreed to promote the exchange of students through scholarships and internships, exchange of faculty researchers, exchange of academic information and publications, joint research projects and activities, joint organizers of international research conferences, credit transfer program, visiting professors and lecturers, international team teaching and other exchanges of academic and cultural in nature agreed upon by both parties.

As ISAT U celebrates its 6^th anniversary as a University this month of May 2021, the External Affairs, headed by Dr. Nemia H. Mabaquiao – Vice President for External Affairs and Dr. Juniffer B. Badoles – Director for National and International Affairs, promise greater possibilities of meaningful collaborations among global higher education institutions. These international partnerships are formalized to specifically continue creating an impact in the academic and cultural experiences of students, faculty and staff, alumni and researchers of Iloilo Science and Technology University and its international partners especially during this time of the pandemic. Collaborations through instruction, research, extension, production and internationalization continue as ISAT U moves forward into the future.

-Jieza Napone, LPT