Iloilo Science and Technology University presented its research and development projects and activities to the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International team during its September 20, 2017  visit to the university.

The RTI is an independent, non-profit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition.

Heading the RTI team during the campus visit were Dr. Wayne Holden, President and CEO and Mr. Paul Weisenfeld, Executive Vice President for International Development. Other members of the team were Bradley Goehner, Sr., Communications Specialist; Dr. Richard Abendan, Partnership Manager, RTI International; Mr. Collin Anderson and STRIDE Program Coordinator, Dominic M. Barnachea.

The visit aimed to see and discuss school-initiated activities that complete loop of knowledge generation, protection and transfer which is the main concept of conduct of research and extension activities.

Five research and development projects with a total of 19.5 million pesos grants by USAID STRIDE were presented. These are the Phase I and II of the Bioactive Hyaluronic Acid from Heads of Silver-Banded Whiting for Nutraceutical Use: Characterization and Biocompatibility Assessment of the Extracted Hyaluronic Acid, Valorization of Brown Seaweeds Through Alginate Extraction for Fruit and Fish Post-harvest Preservation, Multi-Powered Drying System for Food Processing, and the Design, Fabrication, and Evaluation of a Water Driven S-Turbine/Pump.

The team also visited the  Php 60 million Research Hub, which is expected to be completed before the year ends. It will house the laboratories and the Knowledge Technology Transfer Office (KTTO).

Also presented to the visitors  were case writing, industry immersion and the 1K Cups Caffeination, which is an initiative that creates venue for discussion particularly with the business sector on research and development over a cup of coffee.

Members of the business sector were also invited to the presentation considering its importance to the research and development programs. In attendance were  Mr. Juan Jose H. Jamora, Ma. Luisa C. Segovia, Iloilo Business Club (IBC) President and Treasurer respectively, and Miss Leah Lara.

Dr. Richard Abendan, Partnership Manager, RTI, encouraged the faculty and the research and extension office to maximize the opportunity given by USAID STRIDE.

On behalf of the university, Dr. Carmelo V. Ambut, VP  for Research and Extension,  extended his  gratitude to RTI for the support and believing in the capacity of ISAT U in its research programs and activities.

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Commissioner J. Prospero E. De Vera of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) visited ISAT U Iloilo City, Miagao and Leon Campuses last August 18.

The main purpose of Cmsr. De Vera’s visit was primarily to inform the administration and the students on the update of Republic Act 10931 or the Free Access to Higher Education Law  signed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte on August 3, 2017.

De Vera, Chair-Designate of the  ISAT U Board of Regents and 23 other SUCs, was on listening tour visit. He aired his commitment to visit the schools in the first Board meeting when he was appointed as CHED Commissioner.  “Gagawa ako ng oras para mabisita ko ang mga campuses ng mga SUCs. . . . pagka-nagdedesisyon sa Board of Regents, mahirap kang gumawa ng desisyon kapag hindi mo nakita ang actual na kalagayan sa baba. I visit to know what’s happening in the ground and to be prepared in the next meeting. “

During the open forum, he lauded the bold move of President Duterte to grant universal free education among the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) which was never tried by previous administrations.

A resounding applause from the students was heard when the Commissioner discussed the salient features of RA 10931. “The law provides free tuition and miscellaneous fee to more than one million students starting June of 2018,” De Vera said. He also added that the law provides for free Technical-Vocational courses in TESDA, and with the approval of CHED, local SUCs would also avail the provisions of the law.

Additional subsidy for daily expenses for poor students of public and private universities and the students’ loan program with low interest was also mentioned by De Vera. Free tuition for medical programs of eight SUC’s with deferred service agreement was also highlighted.

To maximize the potential of the law, De Vera underlined the strict implementation of its implementing guidelines. “It should prioritize poor but deserving students. There must be strict admission and retention policies.” he emphasized. “The students to benefit should be serious and passed the minimum number of units required per semester and finish the course within the required period.”

Issues on scholarships and other academic matters and the benefits for the teachers were also clarified during the open forum. Commissioner De Vera also encouraged the faculty to upgrade their professionalism and avail of the scholarship programs offered by CHED.

 

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Fifteen members of the Oman Tourism College Noble Volunteering and Exchange Network engaged in a culinary tourism seminar with the Hotel and Restaurant Technology Department of the different ISAT U campuses on August 14, 2017.

Dr. Jeanneth F. Darroca, HRT Iloilo City Campus Head, explained that the visit’s theme, “Exploring Local and International Culture Through Food,” focused not only on food but in the context of cultures of the two nations. “The guests exchanged culinary ideas and shared their cultural practices with the HRT students and teachers,” she added. Both parties further shared their knowledge in culinary arts through a cooking demo. HRT students demonstrated the process of cooking chicken pancit molo while the Omanis cooked one of their specialties, “makbos digag”- a savory dish of chicken cooked with rice.

The volunteers also stayed in the Gawad Kalinga Village in Batad, Iloilo and constructed a footwalk as their goodwill gift to the residents. The Noble Volunteering and Exchange Network was founded by Dr. Don Anton Balida, Oman Tourism College Co-Corricular Activities Coordinator and a native of Batad, Iloilo.

A memorandum of understanding would soon be formalized between ISAT U and Oman Tourism College. According to Dr. Darroca, a lot of HRT students are now employed in Oman and the recent visit further enhanced the knowledge of the HRT students in international culinary arts.

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In line with the Philippines’ Chairmanship of ASEAN 2017 and celebration of its 50th anniversary on August 8, the administrative personnel wore Asian–inspired uniform and displayed flags of ASEAN member nations in the different offices.

The wearing of Asian-inspired uniform by the ISAT U personnel is in compliance with  Civil Service Commission (CSC) Memorandum Circular (MC)  No. 7, s. 2017 issued on March 23, 2017 which  encourages officials, employees, stakeholders, clients and the general public  to wear  the national attire of any ASEAN Member State during  flag raising ceremony and in the activities of the agency requiring formal attire. The said MC  also encourages the posting of any or all of the ASEAN 2017 streamers/banners in conspicuous places within the agency premises; playing of the theme song, “ASEAN Spirit” during agency events and activities; and conducting of appropriate activity/ies to commemorate the 50th Founding of the anniversary of the ASEAN in August 2017 that will involve agency officials and employees, its stakeholders and clients.

In support of the campaign, the faculty and staff of the different ISAT U campuses are assigned to wear the national attire of an ASEAN member country during the 112th ISAT U Foundation Anniversary on September 4-12 .

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The Middle Way Meditation Institute-Iloilo (MMI), Inc. organized its first Human Peace Sign in the Philippines with more than one thousand volunteers at ISAT U Football Field in the morning of August 11.

With the National Youth Commission, the MMI organized the activity to  launch the Global Light of Peace 2017 among the young people of Iloilo City and in the observance of International Youth Day. It was participated by students of ISAT U, John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation-Arevalo, Iloilo City National High School and members of the Philippine National Police.

A morning yoga and meditation yoga conditioned the participants’ physical and mental well-being before the messages of the different guests were delivered. Representing the university president, Dr. Nehema K. Misola, VP for External Affairs gave the welcome remarks.

Assistant Secretary Rhea B. Penaflor of the National Youth Commission delivered a short but clear message – peace is everyone’s responsibility.

Miss Kritanong Phiboonthanakiat, MMI Thailand, presented the Global Light of Peace (GLOP) 2017. GLOP is an online inner meditation activity that will be done simultaneously in Iloilo City, Philippines; Sydney, Australia; Barcelona, Spain; New York,USA; Maputo, Mozambique and Rio de Janiero, Brazil on Sept. 5, 2017. It will also attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Record for the largest online meditation lesson.

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Dr. Raul F. Muyong served as a forum panelist of the Asia Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) of the Experts Forum (ATEF) 2017 on July 17 -18 at KSL Hotel, Johor Baru, Malaysia.

The ATEF 2017 was organized by Universiti Tun Hussien Onn Malaysia (UTHM), the country‘s technical premier university in Engineering and Technology. It gives emphasis on the importance of TVET for nation building and strives to put TVET in the mainstream education with the goal of producing sustainable quality TVET graduates. ATEF served as a venue to discuss current issues for solution the problems of TVET in facing global changes and challenges. The members also shared their best practices and form an alliance to outline strategies and action plan to enhance mutual collaboration among participating universities. Common issues and opportunities for TVET that would further strengthen the roles and relevance of universities were also identified in the forum.

Dr. Muyong was one of the panelists on the topic “Strengthening ASIA University TVET Networking-The development of TVET Expert for Regional Members.” Other experts invited were from Germany, Thailand, South Korea, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore and host country, Malaysia.

A Letter of Intent (LOI)  between ISAT U and UTHM was also signed during the two day conference. Stated in the LOI is an active academic collaboration of both institutions and shall endeavor to carry out programs of mutual benefit on academic collaborations, through student exchanges, industrial training and any other areas of cooperation that are mutually agreed by the parties. Dr. Raul F. Muyong signed the LOI in behalf of ISAT U and Vice Chancellor Wahid Razzaly of UTHM.