Catanduanes State University (CatSU) is the lone higher education institution serving the island province of Catanduanes, Philippines. Amidst its numerous challenges, including infrastructural limitations, increased student enrollment, and budget constraints, the university's president, Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza has been a tireless advocate for the institution's growth and success.In a recent Facebook post, Dr. Azanza shared the plight of CatSU as it grapples with the consequences of limited infrastructure and funding. The institution is currently facing a budget deficit of almost 54 million pesos for free tuition fees due to low allocations from Congress. Despite the pressing need for additional classrooms, the university's 85-million-peso request for repairing classrooms damaged by Typhoon Rolly remains unapproved.Dr. Azanza acknowledges that some past university officials may have mismanaged infrastructure budgets and engaged in corrupt practices. However, he highlights that, under his leadership, the situation has changed dramatically. The university has completed 17 previously unfinished infrastructure projects, garnering praise from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) during a technical budget hearing.With CatSU having an impressive track record, topping board exams in Engineering, Nursing, and Education, Dr. Azanza's commitment to the university's students is evident in his efforts to ensure their safety and learning environment. He has been resourceful in making the most of available spaces, and has even gone so far as to install benches and jazz up certain areas to create suitable learning environments.Dr. Azanza's plea to Congress is to prioritize CatSU in the allocation of infrastructure budgets, acknowledging the university's unique position as the only higher education institution on the island. With many students unable to afford studying in the mainland due to high living expenses, CatSU remains their only option for pursuing higher education.The passionate and dedicated leadership of Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza has made significant strides in transforming CatSU, even amidst financial and infrastructural constraints. His unrelenting efforts to advocate for a fair and equitable allocation of budgets among State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) have not gone unnoticed. With the support of the DBM, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and Congress, CatSU can continue to provide quality education to the residents of Catanduanes, ensuring that no student is left behind.Dr. Azanza’s Visionary Approach for Global ImpactOne of the pressing issues faced by CatSU and many other state universities is the deficit in funding for free higher education tuition. Currently, the university's deficit is at PHP 17 million, and if left unaddressed, it is estimated to rise to PHP 54 million. In response to this challenge, Dr. Azanza and other state university presidents are actively seeking ways to secure the necessary budget allocation.Dr. Azanza acknowledged that securing funds is a crucial part of his role as the university president. He revealed that as of now, CatSU has a total budget of close to PHP 1 billion for 2023, with a proposed budget of PHP 1.4 billion for 2024. This increase signifies a doubling of the university's budget during his term and highlights the potential for economic growth and job generation for the island's residents.Another significant development at CatSU is the focus on internationalization. Dr. Azanza envisions putting CatSU on the world map, enabling students and faculty to access scholarships abroad and ensuring that graduates have better job prospects globally. He emphasized that the university's internationalization efforts come at no additional cost to the institution, as he personally covers travel, hotel, and food expenses for international meetings. Dr. Azanza's dedication to transparency and his commitment to enhancing the campus experience, expanding opportunities, and elevating CatSU's global presence serve as a testament to his visionary leadership. The president's approach has the potential to make a lasting impact on the university and the entire Catanduanes community. #FJBT
In pursuit of the four component programs established by the Catanduanes State University Center for Island Climate Change Solutions (CatSU-CICCS), the center, led by its director Engr. Dexter M. Toyado, conducted a seminar workshop titled "Hydro-Meteorological Hazards and Forecasting Under Climate Change" at the university auditorium on April 2, 2023. The seminar workshop aimed not only to educate participants, including faculty, teachers, and students but also to train them to incorporate climate change adaptation and mitigation into their teaching curriculum. This approach will help raise awareness and encourage action toward reducing the impact of climate change in the community. Additionally, the seminar sought to provide information about hazards resulting from hydro-meteorological events and waste management strategies. Mr. John Ariel T. Rojas, an ABS-CBN Weather Forecaster and one of the resource speakers, shared his extensive knowledge in Weather System and hydro-meteorological hazards. His expertise in the field of hydro-meteorological forecasting clearly differentiated weather, season, and climate. Furthermore, his discussion touched on specific factors affecting a place or region's climate while describing the essential characteristics of each thermal zone. Most importantly, Mr. Rojas shared his understanding of the physics, chemistry, energy, and water refluxes of the atmosphere and their coupling with the earth's surface environmental parameters. "It is always important to stay up-to-date with the latest information on weather and climate change, especially for those who live in areas prone to hydro-meteorological hazards. I am glad to be a part of this significant event that was a collaboration between CatSU and its officials, and the local government leaders. Our aim is to always be a catalyst for crucial knowledge and information to the people and community that we serve," Mr. Rojas shared. Mr. Jun Pantino, PAGASA-Catanduanes Chief, along with Mr. Mike Padua, founder of Typhoon2000.com, also served as resource speakers and discussed Meteorological Observations in Monitoring and Predicting Weather and Typhoon Forecasting, respectively. Other notable speakers included Dr. Jimmy T. Masagca, Dr. Deborah N. Tangunan, a faculty member from Cardiff University, United Kingdom, and Carpel Environment Corp, who tackled topics on Philippine Climate Change Action, Policies and Plans, Evaluation of Impacts of Climate Change on the Physical, Chemical, and Biological Landscapes, and Climate Change & Waste Management Strategies, respectively. Provincial Vice Governor Peter "Boss Te" C. Cua was the special guest during the event, and in his inspirational message, he commended the university and its leaders, as well as the local government unit (LGU) players, for a job well done. LGU officials and staff, along with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office personnel, were in attendance. The whole day activity was made possible in coordination with Hon. Jose "Bong" Joson Teves Jr., TGP Partylist. #CIV
The Catanduanes State University (CatSU) Auditorium was filled with students celebrating diversity, inclusion, and pride during the "Hubad na Katotohanan: Talk on LGBTQIA+ Responsible Sexual Expression" symposium on March 27, 2023. The event, organized by the Guidance, Counseling, and Testing Office (GCTO) in partnership with the Gender and Development (GAD) Services, aimed to provide students with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals and foster a society where everyone is respected.The symposium featured several speakers who shared reflections on psychology, sociology, and spirituality, as well as unique insights into human sexual and gender diversity beyond borders. Among the insight givers were Ardyne Tuazon, MACP, LPT, RPm, RPSY, co-chair of the Psychological Association of the Philippines – Bicol Chapter; Dr. Joel Jordan, a CatSU Associate Professor from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences; and Rev. Fr. Salvador T. Rojas from the Diocese of Virac.Topics discussed during the event included the struggles and challenges of "coming out," the benefits of coming out, social issues such as stigma and discrimination, same-sex relationships, HIV, overcompensated responsibility, and aging LGBTQIA+ individuals.Students actively participated in the symposium, sharing that the stories and insights provided encouragement and inspiration for discussing their sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE) with their families.In the afternoon, the event offered free HIV screening and counseling. Mr. Noly Benavides, CatSU GCTO Head, expressed satisfaction with the students' interest and involvement in discussions about sexuality and human rights, particularly within the LGBTQIA+ community. Ms. Janette O. Labayani, the University Guidance Counselor, reminded students that their office is always open for those seeking help and assistance with various psychological and mental issues, including fighting SOGIE-based discrimination and bullying. #CVecilles
Faculty members from various colleges at Catanduanes State University (CatSU) participated in a Training for Trainers (TOT) program organized by the ASEAN Data Science Explorers (ADSE).This initiative, a collaboration between the ASEAN Foundation and SAP, aims to equip educators across the region with the skills and knowledge needed to teach data science and analytics to students.The event was initiated by ASEAN Data Science Explorers Youth Ambassador, Mr. Mhar Ariz T. Marino, and the Director of the Center for International Relations and Continuing Professional Development Services (CIRCPDS), Zyra Mae T. Tumala.A total of 33 CatSU faculty members took part in the program.Upon completing the session, participants are expected to hold echo sessions with their colleagues and students to share the knowledge and skills they have gained. #CVecilles
Covey Jorjet S. De Luna, a 4th-year Computer Engineering (CpE) student from Catanduanes State University's College of Engineering and Architecture (CatSU CEA), was one of two passers in the recently conducted ICT Proficiency Diagnostic Examination in Programming.The examination took place on February 22, 2023, at the DICT Catanduanes Provincial Office.De Luna is now eligible to take the next level of the exam, the ICT Proficiency Examination, along with another CatSU student from the College of Information and Communications Technology, Joshua Villafuerte.The ICT Proficiency Diagnostic Examination aims to assess an individual's level of proficiency in either systems analysis and design or programming.The success of De Luna and Villafuerte in the examination demonstrates the high quality of education provided by CatSU in the fields of computer engineering and information and communications technology.Their accomplishments also highlight the importance of developing a strong foundation in programming and systems analysis for students pursuing careers in these fields. The strong performance of CatSU students in the ICT Proficiency Diagnostic Examination is a testament to the university's commitment to nurturing skilled and proficient graduates who are ready to contribute to the ever-evolving world of technology. #FJBT
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Regional Director Engr. Carmela P. Valencia and DICT Provincial Officer-in-charge Mario John D. Gonzales recently visited Catanduanes State University (CatSU) to further their partnership with the institution.During their visit, they met with CatSU Executive Vice President Dr. Lily P. Custodio, Federated College Student Council (FCSC) President Angelo Piolo M. Laynes, and Information Technology Services (ITS) Director Mae Ezra T. Abundo.RD Valencia shared plans to continue collaborating with CatSU in various training programs and to provide laptops for students, which will be managed by the FCSC.Recently, the DICT Regional Office approved ITS Director Abundo's request for an additional bandwidth of 150 Mbps for the university's internet connection, which is scheduled to be configured this week. This enhanced partnership between DICT and CatSU aims to provide better support for students and promote access to technology and communication services that can benefit the society and the academic community. #FJBT
A conference attended by 50 students and faculty members at Catanduanes State University (CatSU) led to the formation of a new organization called "Kugos" for pregnant and parenting students on March 28, 2023.The conference, organized by the Gender and Development Services (GAD) and headed by Focal Person Prof. Melinda V. Abichuela, aimed to provide a platform for these students to voice their experiences and concerns, forwarding them to the CatSU administration for deliberation and appropriate action."Kugos," the working name until its constitution and bylaws are established, will act as a support group for young parents juggling their demanding roles, as advocated by Prof. Reashiela L. Khan.During the People's Forum, mother-students shared their disheartening experiences, such as difficulties in obtaining excuse letters from professors to attend to their sick infants. Others suggested that attendance at college week and university-wide Olympic events should not be mandatory for parents, allowing them to focus on their children.Elected officers for Kogus include President Katrina B. Gianan, Vice President Charmaine H. Tuplano, Secretary Kriza A. Barrios, Treasurer Louwella Umbao, Mass Media Officer Raela Alma L. Sebastian, Business Managers Cyrene A. Morales and Angelica F. Alejandro, and Peace Officers Antonette T. Tribiana and Jechnova T. Dela Cruz.The Parenting and Pregnant Students' Conference is part of CatSU-GAD's series of activities in celebration of National Women's Month.Meanwhile, an ongoing activity, "Women in CatSU," was also launched by GAD to feature inspiring stories from notable women who have significantly contributed to the university, such as Ms. Milagros Gianan III, Ms. Marilyn G. Tejada, Ms. Madilyn Borromeo, Dr. Gemma M. Samas, Dr. Rosana S. Abundo, Dr. Gemma G. Acedo, Dr. Lily P. Custodio, and Prof. Jane Rose Azanza.Their stories can be seen in the CatSU official Facebook page. | Via Gender and Development Services
As the need for timely and relevant weather and climate information continues to grow, Engr. Dexter M. Toyado, the Director of Catanduanes State University's Center for Island Climate Change Solutions (CICCS), attended the Philippine Meteorological Society (PMS) Annual Convention.The event, organized in cooperation with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and in partnership with DOST-PCIEERD, took place on March 20-21, 2023, at the Camelot Hotel in Quezon City.PMS is a unique organization of meteorologists and related professionals, providing opportunities and venues for members and allied researchers to share recent advances and applications of meteorology and its allied sciences in the Philippines.Engr. Toyado stressed the importance of the university's involvement and participation in such national organization initiatives, noting that they serve as essential support for the university's climate change adaptation programs and projects."I am more than grateful to have been invited to this year's convention, where the themes and prepared sessions offered a wealth of relevant ideas that are truly impactful and useful, especially given our President, Dr. Azanza's vision of making the university a National Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management," Engr. Toyado shared.The event aimed to gather and promote innovative research in the field of meteorology and allied sciences, contributing to the development of the National Meteorological and Hydrological Sciences.This year's convention was themed "PMS 2023: Recent Advances and Applications of Meteorology and its Allied Sciences" and covered six major thematic areas: weather, climate, water, climate and weather extremes, applications of meteorology, and other related fields.Engr. Toyado was joined by fellow Catandunganon, Mr. Rojas from Bato, who is also the resident meteorologist of ABS-CBN. #CVecilles
A professor from Catanduanes State University's Panganiban Campus is among 10 educators from the Philippines selected to join the 2023 Cohort of Country Ambassadors for the T4 Education Community.Gregorio V. Angeles Jr., Assistant Professor, will serve in this role for a year, ending on January 31, 2024.As an Ambassador, Prof. Angeles must commit to 50 hours, or approximately 4 hours per month, of voluntary service throughout the year.In his capacity as an ambassador, Prof. Angeles will choose a volunteer role in either the Social Media Squad or the Teacher Outreach Squad.As a member of the Social Media Squad, Prof. Angeles will need to be active on at least three platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, or YouTube. His responsibilities will include supporting the community during major events like the Teacher Tech Summit, as well as similar regular events launching in 2023. Additionally, he will assist with co-hosting or supporting live events, such as Twitter chats.As part of the Teacher Outreach Squad, Prof. Angeles will prioritize contacting teachers in the country to recruit them to join the community, including the T4 Communities app, registering them for events, and encouraging participation in research, prizes, and challenges. He will be expected to have methods for contacting and engaging teachers in the country, with guidance from the T4 Ambassadors. He will also take on the role of hosting (or co-hosting with T4) webinars to promote various activities."I am privileged to be one of the Country Ambassadors for the Philippines. As a 2023 Cohort, I am proud to represent our country and offer selfless service to fellow educators not only in our nation but also in other countries. I am honored to be part of this significant advocacy," Prof. Angeles shared.About T4 Education and its Founder, Vikas PotaT4 Education is a digital platform created by founder and CEO Vikas Pota. This platform emerged in response to the global challenges the pandemic posed to education. T4 aims to empower educators and schools by offering opportunities for learning and collaboration, while developing tools to support their global community's progress.Before T4, Vikas was heavily involved in the education sector. He founded and managed a philanthropic foundation dedicated to teachers, launching the Global Teacher Prize to celebrate the teaching profession. He has also advocated for the Sustainable Development Goals at the UN, G20, and various governments. Additionally, he established a technical and vocational skills business in Africa to address youth unemployment, created a corporate venture capital business investing in high-growth edtech companies, and led branding, marketing, communications, and corporate affairs strategies for a renowned K-12 education business.Vikas serves on numerous non-profit boards, including The Education Outcomes Fund, Artists in Residence, Global School Leaders, Queen Rania Teacher Academy, Educate Girls, and Teach for All. He is an Honorary Lecturer at the UCL Institute of Education, a former Visiting Practitioner at Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a Senior Policy Fellow at the University of Cambridge's Centre for Science & Policy. Recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Vikas has been named one of London's 1000 most influential people, is a member of the Young Presidents Organization, and has received two honorary doctorates for his accomplishments. A frequent voice in the media, Vikas passionately advocates for the transformative potential of quality education and actively works to build a global community of educators and schools to make that vision a reality. #FJBT
Catanduanes State University's Research and Development Services (R&DS) recently organized the Seminar-Workshop Series 1: Research Proposal Writing to improve the quality and quantity of research conducted by faculty researchers on March 15-16, 2023, at the CatSU Accreditation Room.The workshop aimed to equip faculty researchers with the skills and tools needed to write a feasible research proposal, which is crucial for securing internal and external funding. Additionally, the event sought to encourage innovative approaches to writing the key elements of a research proposal, including the problem statement, literature review, research methodology, justification, outputs, and expected results. The workshop also focused on refining the research proposals submitted to the R&DS.The write shop began with a discussion of various topics such as the institutional research process, ethical considerations, structure of a scientific proposal, population selection and sampling, Gantt chart and budgetary considerations, and effective citations and referencing.The resource speakers, who are experts in their respective fields, provided practical tips and advice on how to write effective research proposals. The plenary sessions were conducted and facilitated by Dr. Lily P. Custodio, Executive Vice President (EVP), Dr. Ramon Felipe A. Sarmiento, Vice President for Research, Extension, and Production Affairs (VP-REPA), Dr. Jose Z. Tria, R&DS Director, Dr. Jimmylen Z. Tonio, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUMSS), Prof. Anne F. Gianan, Assistant Professor of the College of Science (COS), Dr. Lilibeth I. Tubalinal, Associate Professor II of College of Health Sciences (CHS) and Ms. Bernadeth T. Garcia, R&DS Statistician II. Participants engaged in discussions and various activities held online and offline.The workshops provided a hands-on approach to research proposals writing, allowing participants to put into practice what they learned from the resource speakers. Their respective Research Coordinators and the R&DS staff facilitated the workshops, providing guidance and feedback on the proposed studies.At the end of the event, participants refined their research proposals, taking into account all the learnings and experiences gained in the activity. The output of the event was research proposals expected to be submitted by the proponents on or before March 31, 2023.The R&DS expressed gratitude to everyone who participated in the Seminar-Workshop's success. Dr. Tria emphasized that the University should primarily focus on generating knowledge that benefits its community and that everything starts with a research proposal. After such, other research activities such as implementation, presentation, publication, extension, utilization, commercialization, and citation will automatically follow.Moreover, Dr. Tria said that this research activity is anchored in the current administration’s Vision of HOPE which encourages CatSU faculty members to engage in capacity building activities to enhance the quality and quantity of research. The University's next research-related activity will be "INVENTouring: A Proposal Enhancement Writeshop for Filipino Inventors," to be held on March 28-30, 2023, in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology – Technology Application and Promotion Institute (DOST – TAPI). #CVecilles
The CatSU Abaca Technology and Innovation Center (ATIC), under the leadership of its Director, Prof. Abelisa D. Evangelista, conducted a seminar cum-writeshop on the application of Collective Mark of Abaca Fiber in the university accreditation room on March 22, 2023, to increase support for the province's abaca industry.The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Provincial Local Government of Catanduanes, Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) collaborated to organize the workshop.The event served as an information drive and a writeshop for the stakeholders of the abaca industry in Catanduanes, particularly the members of Catanduanes Abaca Industry Development Council (CAIDC), where CatSU is an active member.Prof. Evangelista stressed that the Origin-Based Branding of Catanduanes Goods and Services was critical in strengthening the support to the province's abaca industry."We are here to encourage and enhance the competitiveness of our abaca farmers, traders, processors, government and non-government agencies, researchers, the academe, and other stakeholders," Prof. Evangelista said.The workshop began with an introduction to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines by Mr. Rolan O. Leaño. Succeeding topics included the Importance and Benefits of Protecting Geographical Indications and Collective marks, and Developing a Geographical Indication & Collective Mark: Next Steps, presented by Atty. Joan Janneth M. Estremadura and Ms. Danica M. Muyargas, respectively, of the Bureau of Trademarks.The Director hopes that this significant progress will attract more investors to provide more employment opportunities and sustain the demand and productivity of the province's abaca industry. The workshop also covered salient features of Geographical Indications and Regulations.A day prior to this event, the group visited an abaca farm in San Roque, Bato, to observe the unique farming management and practices of abaca in the island, in relation to the application of the Collective Mark of Abaca Fiber. IPOPHL Consultant Engr. Nino Angelo Torre facilitated the initiatives of the CatSU-ATIC, led by CatSU President Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, through the Catanduanes Abaca Industry Development Council (CAIDC) headed by Gov. Joseph C. Cua.The preliminary activities of the farm visit were supported by CatSU Vice President for Research, Extension, and Production Affairs (REPA), Dr. Ramon Felipe A. Sarmiento, Assistant Vice President REPA, Dr. Kristian Q. Aldea, and CatSU-ATIC Faculty-in-Charge Engr. Jhomann U. Socito. #CVecilles
The Catanduanes State University-National Service Training Program (CatSU-NSTP) participated in a seminar-workshop at Albert Hall, Teacher’s Camp, Baguio City, from March 1-4, 2023.The event was conducted by the Center for Human Research & Development Foundation (CHRDF) Inc. in partnership with the University of the Philippines Baguio (UP Baguio).The seminar-workshop aimed to provide participants with a better understanding of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Law, by revisiting and unpacking IRR and IGP for NSRC, and aligning NSTP with the vision and mission of the institution.The seminar-workshop also focused on delivering NSTP courses through a learner-centered approach and recalibrating NSTP of each Higher Education Institution (HEI) through designing contextualized NSTP.The four-day Seminar-Workshop held a series of simultaneous sessions for NSTP directors, coordinators, teachers and students of the participating HEIs in the country.Concurrently, the National NSTP Student Leadership Conference 2023 was also conducted, which aimed to provide leadership competency development among Filipino youth, instilling the value of patriotism and nationalism.The Director of CatSU-NSTP, Prof. Emlyn M. Lanon, was accompanied by two NSTP student-trainees, Ms. Karyl M. Tugay from the College of Education-Bachelor of Secondary Education-English, and Mr. Thomas Miguel T. Delapeña from the College of Engineering and Architecture-Civil Engineering. The conference aimed to train students to fully appreciate and understand how NSTP should be regarded as not just a college course but a way of life, as they are expected to develop a deeper sense of its purpose and significance. The program is a source of life skills, a part of social responsibility, and a passion for lifelong learning. #CVecilles
