NSTP students, faculty and staff gathered as Catanduanes State University in collaboration with Catanduanes 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company sponsored the first NSTP training day and orientation on Executive Order No.70 (INSTITUTIONALIZING THE WHOLE-OF- NATION APPROACH IN ATTAINING INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE PEACE, CREATING A NATIONAL TASK FORCE TO END LOCAL COMMUNIST ARMED CONFLICT, AND DIRECTING THE ADOPTION OF A NATIONAL PEACEFRAMEWORK) at CSU Gymnasium, January 18, 2020. The activity was graced by the Chief Operations Officer of the PNP Provincial Office, PLCOL Dario P. Sola with the representative from the Office of the President of the Philippines, Mr. Mark Llason. Also in attendance were the SUC President III, Dr. Minerva I. Morales, NSTP Director, Dr. Gemma M. Samas, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr.Maria S. Tugano and ROTC, Assistant Commandant and Member of PFMFC- Maj Alan T. Sapanta. EO 70 orientation aimed to acquaint the students the provisions of Executive Order No.70, enlighten the students on the effects of joining the insurgency groups, promote some worthwhile activities that can be explored toward the same end of brotherhood/sisterhood or camaraderie and instill in the minds of students of the CSU Core values, demonstrate commitment and respect one’s peers and other individuals. The part two of the program included the presentation of NSTP Faculty and CDC staff headed by the Civic Welfare Training Service CWTS Coordinator, Dr. Susan M. Tindugan as well as the distribution of class assignment for CWTS and LTS supervised by Dr. Gemma M. Samas.
The Philippine Association of Japanese Government Scholars (PHILAJAMES)- Southern Luzon Chapter, held its annual Japanese Government Scholarship (MONBUKAGAKUSHO) Awareness Drive at Catanduanes State University on February 21, 2020. In coordination with the Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC) of the Embassy of Japan, PHILAJAMES has chosen CSU as its recipient for this year’s MONBUKAGAKUSHO Awareness Drive.The activity was graced by 9 former Japanese Government Scholars in their PhDs who are currently faculty members of the University of the Philippines, Los Baños. The former scholars eagerly shared their experiences and provided tips regarding the scholarship programs to aspiring applicants of CSU comprised of 38 students and 10 faculty members of the College of Engineering. Also in attendance were the SUC President III, Dr. Minerva I. Morales, Director of Center for International Relations and Continuing Professional Development Services (CIRCPDS) Dr. Joseph G. Zafe and the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Maria S. Tugano. The educational awareness campaign aimed to present the different opportunities for university constituents to study in Japan and in the process would help upgrade the faculty and staff development of the host university.
The Catanduanes State University (CSU) has been listed as one of the new members of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization- Technical Education and Vocational Training (SEA-TVET/SEA-Polytechnic) among Colleges, Polytechnics and Universities of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. This was bared on February 4, 2020 by Dr. Joseph G. Zafe, Director of CSU’s International Relations and Continuing Professional Development Services (IRCPDS) Office. This enlistment is geared for the 5th Batch of SEA-TVET/SEA-Polytechnic Student Exchange in 2020. Along with this, a meeting on Student Internship Program (SIP) among the faculty was held February 10, 2020 at the Graduate School Student Lounge. Dr. Minerva I. Morales, CSU President, signed the Letter of Agreement concerning the Program as one of the new members. To date, there are around 152 member institutions in the program including the CSU across the ASEAN countries. The CSU’s joining in the list strengthened its internalization efforts, giving way for more opportunities and advancement in the different study areas. It was revealed that the agreement will be implemented in reciprocal way. The 5th batch of SEA-TVET/SEA-Polytechnic Student Exchange Programme will be applied for Diploma and Bachelor students. The major study areas included, but not limited to the following: Mechatronics, Electronics, Electrical, Mechanical and Manufacturing; Industrial Technology, Informatics/ Computer Science, Hospitality and Tourism; Agriculture, Aquaculture, Animal Science, Fisheries; Agro Technology/ Agro Business; Food Technology, Business, Commerce and Accounting; Creative Industry, Multimedia, Civil Engineering, Health Science/ Nursing and Public Health. It was revealed that each participating institution should submit the list of eligible students for at least 2 students with the same gender in equal number, but not more than 6 students in the identified study area with the name of potential partners to SEAMO Secretariat for mapping. The institutions, as bared by Dr. Zafe, will start the 5th batch of exchange for 1 to 3 months, anytime within the preferred traveling schedule or options within the span of March until August 2020. A pre-requisite to travel of students is an International Health Insurance, while Receiving Institutions may advance expenses for hospitalization, in any case, subject to the reimbursement by parents. It was also learned that under this program, the Receiving Institution will primarily be responsible for partnering with industries according to the study areas and agreed internship period of inbound students, aside from providing mentors, accommodations, and buddies for inbound students.
The Administrative and Financial Affairs (AFA) Division headed by Vice-President, Prof. Ma. Theresa E. Sarmiento, conducted a one-day echo-training workshop on the re-orientation of Accounting Policies, Procedures and Updates on January 22, 2020 at the CSU Audio Visual Room. There were 70 participants from the different Colleges and Offices in the University that were enlisted in said activity. Mr. Rommel S. Torres, Accounting Services Office Chief, discussed details of current accounting rules. Specifically, Torres emphasized the objectives of the training so that participants would be aware of the documentary requirements required in each type of transaction, and how laws and rules are applied in the preparation of disbursement vouchers, and thus, minimize errors and shorten processing time. Torres explained among others, those topics on: Fundamental principles and basic requirements of expenditures and disbursements; Disbursement process and legal provisions; Foreign/ local travel rules and regulations; and Documentary requirements of the Commission on Audit. Meanwhile, Dr. Minerva I. Morales, SUC President III expressed appreciations to the training organizers while she hoped to have a repeat of the same activity to those who were not enlisted to attend the training considering its value in the administrative operations of every College/ office concerned.
As one of the premier Universities in Bicol, the Catanduanes State University (CSU) was identified to deliver its degree program in Master of Arts in Educational Management (MA-EM) being offered by the College of Education, a Center of Development (COD). This was revealed by Dr. Minerva I. Morales, CSU President, as she represented the institution being signatory in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Rapu-Rapu, Albay represented by its Mayor, Hon. Ronald A. Galicia. The Rapu-Rapu Community College (RRCC) in Rapu-Rapu, Albay has been identified as a venue and host for the said offshore program. It started initially on January 2020 and will end on 2022. The CHED approved the implementation of a Faculty Development Program (FDP) through CHED Memorandum No. 26, series 2009 in which one of the modes that can be applied in the delivery of a course or program is offshore program. Under the agreement, the offshore program is contingent upon the funding support of the LGU of Rapu-Rapu, Albay which shall cover tuition and other fees for those who qualify as scholars. The scholars will be identified by the LGU.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) approved a research proposal from the Catanduanes State University (CSU) Research and Development Services (RDS) Office. In its information sent to the RDS Director, Dr. Jimmy T. Masagca on January 6, 2020, the CHR through its Officer-In-Charge for Human Rights Policy Advisory Office, lawyer Erwin M. Caliba disclosed its approval of a research proposal entitled, “Breaking the Silence of Island-based Teachers: Experiences of Teachers Principal Support and Mistreatment of Teachers.” Dr. Jimmy T. Masagca, currently Professor III of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), authored the said proposal. Caliba said that the CSU-RDS’ proposal was given the nod as one of the recipients of the Commission on Human Rights Research Grants-In-Aid Program. “We strongly believe and trust that your research can contribute to the growing knowledge and understanding of human rights in the Philippines,” Caliba said. The CHR looked forward in engaging with CSU in the said research until its completion while a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will be sent later for approval of CSU President, Dr. Minerva I. Morales.
To re-tool internal auditing knowledge of selected personnel and officials of the Catanduanes State University (CSU), the Internal Audit Services (IAS) Office, this University, conducted on February 5-6, 2020 the ISO 9001: 2015 Internal Auditor Course. Engr. Rafael O. Santelices, Administrative Officer V and Management Audit Analyst III of IAS was the Resource Speaker during the two-day activity in which Dr. Minerva I. Morales, SUC President III gave her message to select participants prior to seminar proper. The seminar covered the following topics: Fundamentals of Quality Management System (QMS), ISO 9001 terminologies and requirements, Auditing the ISO 9001: Principles and Techniques. Workshops were also conducted during the session concerning concepts and terminologies and understanding ISO 9001 terminologies. The participants were also exposed on workshops on Expected Objective Evidence, Role Playing, and Writing Non-Conformity Reports. Prof. Ma. Theresa E. Sarmiento, VP-AFA and ISO Chairperson expressed acknowledgment for the said initiative during her closing message on the second day.
The Regional Quality Assessment Team (RQAT) for Agriculture and Business Education Programsunder the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)- Regional Office V(CHED ROV) visited Catanduanes State University to evaluate the extent of compliance of the university to the minimum standards per program on February 5-6, 2020. . Erlinda Tabor, Director of CSU Quality Assurance Services (QAS) welcomed the members of the RQAT led by Dr. Manuel C. Mendoza, CHED Education Supervisor together with Dr. Ma. Luz T. Macasinag, President of Bicol College; Dr. Fe B. Perlas, Prof. Norma S. Mendoza and Prof. Anjelia N. Ampongan. Below is the list of the said programs evaluated, with respective evaluators: COLLEGES PROGRAM EVALUATOR College of Agriculture and Fisheries Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) Master of Arts in Agricultural Education Fe B. Perlas, PhD Norma S. Mendoza, MSCS Panganiban Campus Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BSA) Fe B. Perlas, PhD Norma S. Mendoza, MSCS College of Business and Accountancy Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship Maria Luz T. Macasinag, DBA Ma.Anjelica N. Ampongan, MBA BS in Agriculture Major in Animal Husbandry and Major in Crop Science (Main Campus) and MA in Agricultural Education from the College of Agriculture and Fisheries were approved after the evaluation on areas based on their respective CMOs and were recommended for issuance of Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC).Among the areas that were evaluated for BS Agriculture (Main campus) were program administration, faculty, curriculum, library, facilities and equipment, land, admission and retention and institutional faculty development whereas in the MA in Agricultural Education, areas of accreditation, laboratories, thesis/dissertation requirements and research program were also assessed. RQAT also recommended issuance of COPC for MA in Agricultural Education Program.Meanwhile, programs that were evaluated in the Panganiban Campus were BS in Agriculture, and BS in Entrepreneurship. The evaluation results for the inspection/monitoringwere made after the team checked and evaluated various COPC documents of identified programs of the colleges. Academic officials headed by Dr. Maria S. Tugano, college deans, programs chairs, faculty and staff attended and facilitated the two-day assessment.
The Research and Development Services (RDS) led by its Director, Dr. Jimmy T. Masagca, under the Research, Extension and Production Affairs (REPA) Division headed by Vice-President, Dr. Lily P. Custodio, conducted a seminar-workshop in research publishing on January 22-24, 2020 at Kemji Resort and Restaurant Function Hall, Virac, Catanduanes. “Publish or perish, “ said Dr. Minerva I. Morales, CSU President, “ has long been the burden of every aspiring university or college faculty or professor. But the quest6ion the island-based Catanduanes State University must decide on how to explore ways to improve research publishing—to print journal copies or to have open access publishing.” Dr. Morales added that the project attempts to contribute to the national development objectives of improving the quality of research and innovation in the Philippines. Research enthusiasts in the province, graduate school students, together with some participating teachers in the Division of Catanduanes and other faculty researchers of the Catanduanes State University (CSU) were in attendance during the two-day research event. Invited also in the seminar were those researchers who were working on their manuscripts, thesis or dissertations wherein they were at least done with their data collection. Dr. Masagca said that the activity is aimed to cascade best practices in research writing and journal publishing; thus, ensuring quality in research publishing as well. Topics covered during the session were: Retrieval of digital documents from the Internet; Use of Statistical Software; Scientific Paper Writing and Publication Process; and the Publication Process in CSU Academic Journal.
In line with the Five –Year Development Plan (FYDP) for 2019-2023 of the Catanduanes State University (CSU), Dr. Minerva I. Morales, CSU President, presided over a stakeholders’ consultative forum held at the CSU Auditorium on February 20, 2020. The activity is one of the series of presentations for the CSU-FYDP to create awareness and generate greater involvement of various sectors, Dr. Morales said.Present to grace the occasion were: Dr. Ma. Teresa G. de Alban (representing Dr. Freddie T. Bernal, CHEDRO V Regional Director), Hon. Shirley A. Abundo, Catanduanes Acting Governor who likewise represented Hon. Hector S. Sanchez, Congressman of the Lone District of Catanduanes, and Ms Alma T. Villanueva (representing Hon. Jose “Bong” J. Teves Jr, Representative-TGP Partylist). CSU partner institutions, members of the local press, NGOs, Peoples’ Organizations (POs), Heads of different National Government Agencies (NGAs), Local Chief Executives, Religious Sector, Farmers’ Sector, Women’s Group, and Legislative body were likewise represented in the affair.Meanwhile, the CSU community was also present with its key officials, chiefs of offices, the Deans of the various Colleges, faculty, and student organizations. Dr. Morales underscored the University’s strengths during the forum in which it has excellent performance of beating higher than the national passing rate in licensure exams in Nursing, Engineering, Accountancy and Teacher Education, while producing Board top placers in Civil Engineering, Nursing and Teacher Education as well aside from its record of high employment rate of graduates. Further in its feat, Dr. Morales said that its undergraduate programs-- AB Political Science, BS in Economics, BS Math, BS in Nursing, BS in Accountancy, BSED, BS in Industrial Technology, BEED, BSND and BS in Business Administration) are Level III accredited. Whereas, the AB in Public Administration, BS Office Administration, BS Agriculture, BS in Information Technology, BS in Biology, BS in Entrepreneurship, BS in Civil Engineering, and BS in Information Systems are Level II re-accredited. In the graduate programs, Dr. Morales revealed that the Master of Arts in Educational Management and Master in Public Administration are Level III re-accredited, while the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Management, MA in English, MA in Teaching Biology, MA in Mathematics Education, and Master in Business Administration are Level II re-accredited, and MA in Filipino, Level I re-accredited. In the Panganiban Campus, BS in Agriculture and BEED are Level II re-accredited. The CSU boasts of 2 Centers of Development in the Teacher Education and the Business Administration. Dr. Morales also said that along these developments, the University has achieved the PRIME-HRM Maturity Level II conferred by the Civil Service Commission (CSC). She said that the Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) is a distinction given by CSC to empower government agencies by developing their human resource management competencies, systems and practices toward HR excellence.“Maturity level II entails that CSU is able to perform routine task with reliable results and works with minimal supervision,” Dr. Morales added. Aside from its uptrend accomplishment, Dr. Morales bared that the CSU has 75% of its programs issued with Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC), 100% compliant to Public Financial Management (PFM), and surpassed 2019 targets in the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Instruction, Research, and Extension. “With the adoption of Performance-Based Budgeting of the Government,” Dr. Morales said, “ the CSU’s budget for Capital Outlay (CO) increased (and) the highest among the 9 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Bicol in 2019 and 2020, and the 4th highest CO budget among the 114 SUCs in 2020 nationwide.” In its internationalization efforts, the University was accredited by the Bureau of Immigration to accept foreign students in the following programs, namely: BSND, BS Biology, BS Mathematics, BS Accountancy, BS Business Administration, and Secondary and Elementary Teacher Education. At present, the University holds the distinction as ISO 2001:2015 Certified institution.Dr. Morales emphasized further that in the five-year period, that is from 2019 until 2023, the CSU’s niche will revolve around research and innovation, excellence and internationalization. Whereas, the University has 22 proposed programs in the undergraduate level and 6 in the graduate level. Asked of the prospects of opening Bachelor of Laws (Ll. B), Dr. Maria S. Tugano, Vice-President for Academic Affairs replied that it could be in 2022 pending the University’s search of its College’s Dean who must be a Master of Laws degree holder. For AY 2019-2020, the University (both the Main Campus and the Panganiban Campus) has a total of 47 curricular offerings, while it proposes clustering of 72 curricular offerings beginning AY 2023-2024. “This is a rare moment for the Catanduanes State University…” declared Dr. Morales during the forum as she noted the importance of gathering of stakeholders that would make the Plan “designed with its character responsive … in the context of local resources… and being cornerstone for global comparability and excellence.”
