With its mandate in science and technology, ISAT U showcased its researches in the Regional State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) Products and Technology Fair 2019 at the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) Central Office, Quezon City on May 6-10, 2019.

The product and technology expo is part of the Commission’s 25th Founding Anniversary on May 18, 2019. The Commission was created as an attached agency to the Office of the President through the passage of Republic Act 7722 or the Higher Education Act in 1994.

In response to the objectives to showcase the regions products and technology which the State Colleges and Universities (SUCs) have invented, created, developed and produced, ISAT U presented projects that reflect the University’s thrust in research and development. The projects also help in the socio-economic and technological advancement of the region.

Among those are the USAID-RTI funded researches. The Multi-Powered Drying System for Food Processing utilizing solar power and alternative electric energy which has already provided a continuous livelihood activity to seaweeds farmers even during inclement weather. On the other hand, the research on “Bioactive Hyaluronic Acid (HA) from the Heads of Silver-banded Whiting for Nutraceutical Use,” confirms the bioactive compounds with high anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and high moisturizing properties beneficial for cell regeneration in the HA extracts of the fish. Meanwhile, the Valorization of Brown Seaweeds Through Alginate Extraction promises an added shelf life to post-harvest mango and silver-banded whiting.

Other researches showcased were The Valve Spring Remover with Seal Puller that remove defective valve spring and valve seal from a cylinder head without pulling out the assembly from the engine; the Egg Incubator that utilizes power from solar and electrical grid, thus minimizing energy consumption; and the Coffee Pulper that decreases the damage coffee bean to at least 10%, thereby, increasing its selling price.

Attuned to the theme, ”Celebrating 25 Years towards Access, Equity, and Global Excellence in Higher Education,” ISAT U’s presentation reflects its goal of providing excellent education in science and technology.

The College of Education-Extension Council (COE-EC) launched Project UNGKA DOS at Brgy. Ungka II, Pavia, Iloilo as part of its extension services and community engagement.

Project UNGKA DOS which stands for Upgrading and Nurturing Green Knowledge with Accountability, Development-Outcomes and Sustainability is designed to improve the community’s life and for its total development.

“The project has six areas of services– Education, Economic, Socio-Cultural, Political, Physical and Environmental,” COE Extension Coordinator Prof. Leander S. Gregorios explained. “Each areas has its specific activities and projects conducted by the college and its collaborators,“ he added.

One of the activities is the envisioning of Ungka Dos Vision, Mission and Goals (VMG) conducted on November 2018. Headed by COE Dean Dr. John Eric V. Juaneza, the faculty and students of Educational Management course conducted series of lectures. The activity institutionalizes the barangay’s VMG and organize the community for the smooth flow of delivery of basic services and attain sustainability.

The skills training on T-shirt printing, dressmaking and tailoring, and building wiring installation for unemployed men, women and youth started on October 27. The six months training commenced with T-shirt printing activity conducted by the Technical and Livelihood Education teachers and students. The output of the participants was used by the barangay in the municipality’s Tigkaralag Festival.

The Youth Rocks U is another activity that empowers the involvement and participation of the youth in the activities and programs of the community, emphasizes the role and responsibilities of the youth and builds and develops self-confidence and unity among them. The Educator’s Guild help in facilitating the two-day activity on December 8-9.

Part of the program is Project Kaalwan or gift giving activity. The first recipient of the activity is Ungka II Elementary School.

“Since this is a continuing project, more activities contained in the different areas of services will be conducted in the barangay, “said Dr. Juaneza.

The university library acquired additional materials and updated its facilities to address the needs of the students and in preparation for the offering of new courses for Academic Year 2019-2020.

“The purchase of 1.4 million pesos worth of books is now on process. It is the 80% of selection and requests by the faculty during the 2018 Book Fair. The amount to be used for the purchase is from the library fees,” said Ms. Ninfa G. Geloryao, University Librarian.

Aside from the library fees, the deans of different colleges also pledged to allocate an amount from the 2019 budget for the purchase of additional materials. “We are looking forward that another 2 million pesos worth of books will be available at the Library soon,” Ms. Geloryao added.

The College, Community, Parents and Teachers Association (CCPTA), Inc. also donated 58 volumes of 47 titles of books on various subjects. The 20 thousand pesos worth of materials was turned-over by CCPTA, Inc. President Edgar Salazar to the University on January 29, 2019. Mr. Salazar aired the commitment of the organization to help modernizing the library.

Aside from additional materials, modern furniture, office equipment, reading facilities and four-channel CCTV cameras were installed.

The library online resources has also started its link to ISAT U website. The online facility features the vision, mission and goals, objectives, rules and regulations and the personnel. It also offers the Library services, resources and activities. Feed backs and comments can also be channeled online.

The completion of the library building is already at 47% as of January 2019. “If completed, it will be a modern facility that will offer an ambience conducive for studying and learning activities, “Ms. Geloryao added.

The library also passed the Level III and is gearing for Level IV accreditation sometime this year.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) Regional Office VI awarded a certificate of recognition to Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) for passing the on-site accreditation for Maturity Level II of the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in the Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) during the awarding ceremony at Casa Real, Iloilo Provincial Capitol on March 4, 2019.

Among the 23 awardees in the region, ISAT U is one of three from the Province of Iloilo and the only state university given the recognition.

The University met the Human Resource (HR) maturity level 2 indicators in four (4) core HR Systems particularly Recruitment, Selection and Placement (RSD), Learning and Development (L&D), Performance Management (PM), and Rewards and Recognition (R&R) in the Enhanced PRIME-HRM using three lenses namely : Systems, Practices and Competencies. The on—site assessment was conducted by Mr. Ramon P. Refugio, Jr. and Mr. Megel G. Tembrevilla, of the Policies and Systems Evaluation Division of the CSC Regional Office VI on October 10-12, 2018.

Under the systems lenses, the assessors looked into the ISAT U’s documentation, such as files that support the HRM system policies, and procedures. In the practices lenses , the assessors conducts interviews with the HRM Officer and the key university officials to find out their level of understanding and engagement in the four core areas while under the competencies lens, the assessor determines the capabilities of the HRM Office using the proficiency level indicators.

Fifteen programs of the five ISAT U campuses pass the assessment of the Accrediting Agency for Chartered College and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP), Inc.  in a  survey visit   conducted on November 19-23, 2018.

At Iloilo City Campus, the Doctor of  Education major in Educational Management and the     Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant   Technology (BSHRT)  passed the Level III   (Phase I) accreditation.

On the other hand, the Master in Mathematics,  Doctor in Industrial Technology (majors in Electrical Technology, Mechanical Technology, Civil Technology), and the Master of Industrial Technology passed the Level II re-accreditation .

The BS HRT and Bachelor in Industrial Technology (BIT) majors in Automotive Technology, Electrical Technology, Electronics Technology, and Architectural Drafting Technology at Barotac Nuevo Campus  were awarded Level II re-accreditation status.

At Miagao Campus, the BS in Information Technology, BSHRT, BS in Electrical Technology, BS in Electronics Technology, BS in Automotive Technology, BIT (majors in Architectural Drafting Technology, Cosmetology, Fashion and Apparel Technology, Food Technology, HVAC-R     Technology, WAF Technology) passed the Phase I of two for Level III accreditation while the  Bachelor  of  Elementary Education passed the Level II re-accreditation.

The BS in Agriculture (majors in Agricultural  Education, Crop Science, Animal Science and Agro-forestry)  at Leon Campus was also awarded  a Level II re-accreditation status.