Five nursing students from Catanduanes State University (CatSU) clinched 2nd place in the Bicol Pulse: Health Research Contest Poster Presentation (Student Category) held at the University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi in Legazpi City on December 5, 2024.Fourth-year researchers Bianca Bohayo, Alycel Go, Shann Lester Yago, Ryan John Lumbao, and Leslie Mae Gonzales showcased their research poster titled “Challenges in the Treatment Compliance of Relapsed Cases of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Virac, Catanduanes.” CHS Faculty Dr. John Villegas, their coach and research adviser, lauded the students for their achievement in a celebratory social media post.
Catanduanes State University (CatSU) officially welcomed 133 newly licensed nurses during their courtesy visit on December 4, 2024.Accompanied by Dr. Maria Alma V. Tabirara, Dean of the College of Health Sciences (CHS), the group was received by Dr. Gemma G. Acedo, Vice President for Academic Affairs.The passers of the November 2024 Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination (PNLE) helped the university achieve an impressive 92.36% overall passing rate, surpassing the national average of 84.99%. Mikael Angelo Romero further distinguished the university by securing 10th place in the national rankings. The newly licensed nurses will be recognized at the 2024 Testimonial Dinner on Friday, December 6, 2024.
“We are eager to explore the processes behind your CSMS and adopt best practices that align with our goals,” said Mr. Melgie A. Alas, Director of the Office of Monitoring and Evaluation of Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), during a benchmarking visit to Catanduanes State University (CatSU) on December 4, 2024.The visit, held at the CatSU Accreditation Room, aimed to enhance MSU-IIT’s Client Satisfaction Management System (CSMS) by learning from CatSU’s Quality Assurance (QA) and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Units.Dr. Edna A. Pante, CatSU’s Quality Assurance Officer, welcomed the MSU-IIT delegation and asserted the value of sharing strategies and practices.“Hosting this benchmarking visit is a privilege. We hope this exchange serves as a meaningful platform for sharing knowledge and inspiring strategies adaptable to your context,” Dr. Pante said.Director Alas, accompanied by a team of experts including PDO III Mark June L. Aporador, Data Controller III Virgilio S. Luzana, Center for ICT Director Dante D. Dinawanao, and IT Officer II Richard M. Micubo, pointed out the importance of refining MSU-IIT’s CSMS.CatSU’s CSMS, though newly developed, has already achieved notable results. Information Technology Officer Jay-R R. Redita presented the system’s functionalities, spotlighting its feedback-driven approach to improvements. Meanwhile, QA Unit AO V Josephine D. Rojas shared best practices such as multi-channel feedback collection, prompt responses, employee engagement, and regular reporting.A live walkthrough of the CSMS interface capped the afternoon session, where both institutions exchanged ideas and discussed potential enhancements.“This benchmarking has provided valuable insights and techniques we aim to incorporate. We look forward to continued collaboration with CatSU,” Alas noted. The MSU-IIT team is set to meet Officer-in-Charge Atty. Septon A. de la Cruz on December 5 for a courtesy call at the Conference Room.
The Medical and Dental Services (MDS) of Catanduanes State University (CatSU) attended to university employees during a quarterly health and wellness event held on December 4, 2024, at the Administration Building Lobby.The Human Resource Management Unit has coordinated with Medical Officer III Dr. Abegail M. Abundo for the activity as part of the National Government Employees Week celebration, pursuant to Proclamation No. 1130. Employees availed of free services, including blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, medical consultations with complimentary medicines and vitamins, dental oral prophylaxis, and optical consultations provided by Dr. Anthony Altavano.
Catanduanes State University (CatSU) sustained high customer satisfaction ratings for 2023 and the first half of 2024, according to a Management Review held on November 29 by the Office of the Vice President for Administrative and Financial Affairs and the Quality Assurance Unit.Frontline services at CatSU Main recorded an impressive 99.48% satisfaction rate for the January to June 2024 period, surpassing the same months in previous years. Non-frontline services also posted a slight improvement, achieving a 98.25% satisfaction rate compared to 98.13% in the preceding term.CatSU Panganiban maintained a stellar 99.42% satisfaction rate for its frontline services, though slightly lower than its previous midterm score of 99.60%.Vice President for Administrative and Financial Affairs, Engr. Benjamin Hannycel T. Nuyda, urged all offices to establish clear quality objectives and work instructions to consistently meet client expectations.“Ensure that each office has clearly defined quality objectives,” the VP emphasized on the importance of client-focused service delivery. Meanwhile, QA Unit Administrative Officer V Josephine D. Rojas tackled internal and external issues requiring resolution and pinned on the need to update the university's work structure, with the support of the Board of Regents (BOR) to strengthen institutional efficiency.
Fifteen scientists from Catanduanes State University (CatSU) have earned recognition as among the top scientists in the Alper-Doger (AD) Scientific Index World Rankings 2025.Joining the 9,785 scientists from the Philippines are Dr. Jimmy T. Masagca, Dr. Jimmylen Z. Tonio, Dr. Jose Z. Tria, Dr. Roberto B. Barba Jr., Dr. Kristian Q. Aldea, Dr. Aurora E. Araojo, Dr. Gemma G. Acedo, Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, Dr. Lily P. Custodio, Dr. Belen M. Tapado, Dr. Jaymund M. Floranza, Dr. Dexter M. Toyado, Dr. Maria Concepcion Suarez-Vera, Prof. Sonia R. Sapico, and Associate Professor Ma. Emmie T. Delluza.Leading the institutional rankings in H-Index and Productivity Rankings is Dr. Jimmy T. Masagca, Professor VI and head of the Academic for Community Empowerment through Holistic and Ecosystem-Based Approach for Mangrove Crab Sustainability (ACE-HEMS).The H-Index measures the productivity and citation impact of a researcher’s published work, while Productivity Rankings identify highly productive scientists across specific areas, disciplines, universities, and countries. Dr. Masagca’s research focuses on agriculture and fisheries, climate change, mangroves, and crabs.He is followed in the institutional ranks by College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUMSS) Dean Dr. Jimmylen Z. Tonio, whose research areas include education and foreign language education, specifically linguistics, psycholinguistics, Philippine English, and sociolinguistics. Meanwhile, Dr. Jose Z. Tria, Director of the Research and Development Services (RDS), tops the institutional citation rankings with 556 citations. His research spans music education, educational management, culture and arts, and physical education. He is followed by Dr. Masagca with 197 citations and Dr. Tonio with 89 citations.
Faculty and students of Catanduanes State University (CatSU) were urged to critically and ethically integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education and research during a 3-day workshop held from November 11-13, 2024, at E-Crown Hotel & Resort.Research and Development Services (RDS) Director Dr. Jose Z. Tria pinned on the importance of thoughtful AI use, and its potential to transform teaching and research when applied responsibly. “Our idea is our own prompt. We must consider how we will use AI critically and ethically,” he said. Director Tria also recommended tools such as ORCID, Google Scholar, and ResearchGate to help participants streamline research workflows and boost academic productivity.The workshop, titled “Empowering Innovations through Integrating AI and LLM Tools for Effective Teaching, Learning, and Research,” introduced participants to Brisk Teaching, an AI-powered platform for creating dynamic presentations and lesson plans. College of Education faculty member Emlyn M. Lanon demonstrated the tool, and the need to balance AI with traditional teaching approaches to preserve the human element in education. Director Lanon’s presentation banked on the perspectives from education experts Kovalenko and Baranivska (2024) on integrating technology without compromising pedagogical values.Vice President for Research, Extension, and Production Affairs (VP REPA) Dr. Rosana S. Abundo opened the workshop by welcoming participants and stressing the significance of strengthening faculty capabilities in teaching, learning, and research through AI integration. “This workshop empowers us to adapt to innovations while ensuring that these tools enhance, rather than replace, our expertise as educators and researchers,” the Vice President said.
Following a meeting on November 14 with the executive management of Catanduanes State University (CatSU), the university announced that it will open designated rooms to support pre-emptive evacuations for residents affected by the incoming Typhoon Pepito. In coordination with the local barangay and the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), CatSU will offer 13 rooms in the Nutrition and Dietetics building as evacuation centers for families seeking shelter. Meanwhile, work at the university has been suspended today to prioritize safety and preparedness, with classes already suspended since yesterday.
Catanduanes State University (CatSU) will soon transition to digital payments for all financial transactions following the recent approval of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Land Bank of the Philippines by the CatSU Board of Regents (BOR).The Board approved the proposal from Finance and Administrative Team on November 6 for adoption, which aims to modernize CatSU’s financial processes, enhance operational efficiency, expand financial inclusivity, and provide a secure and convenient experience for students, faculty, and service providers. Specifically, the agreement involves the digitalization of CatSU’s collection, disbursement, and payment systems, aligning with Executive Order No. 170, s. 2022, which mandates the adoption of digital payments for government transactions.
The Catanduanes State University (CatSU) Board of Regents (BOR) approved a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Environmental Management Bureau Regional Office V (EMB-V) on November 6, 2024, to set up an Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station at the CatSU Main Campus.This partnership aims to support national environmental standards, research, community engagement, and the adoption of sustainable practices among students, staff, and stakeholders.CatSU will allocate a 16-square-meter space on campus for the equipment, which will provide data on current air pollution levels by measuring meteorological parameters such as wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, solar radiation, temperature, barometric pressure, and other ambient indicators. EMB-V will finance all supply and installation costs and train CatSU personnel, with university students also given opportunities to observe monitoring processes under the supervision of certified technical staff from both CatSU and EMB-V.
Graduates often take diverse journeys as they pursue their careers following the conferral of their degrees. Each path is unique, shaped by personal dreams and professional aspirations. Yet, how truly remarkable it is when alumni not only excel in their chosen fields but also seek ways to give back to their alma mater and communities, with their stories becoming a source of pride for the university.Such exceptional achievement was celebrated at the CatSU Parangal 2024 on October 18 at the gymnasium, where two outstanding alumni who have stood out among others were recognized for their success in their fields.Following a rigorous selection process by the Search for Outstanding Alumni of CatSU, chaired by College of Law Associate Dean Atty. Gregorio M. Sarmiento Jr. with Alumni Relations Director Maricel S. Cariaso, two exemplary alumni emerged as this year’s honorees – Department of Agrarian Reform Provincial Officer Dr. Nerisa B. Aldea and Dean of CatSU Graduate School Dr. Arthur I. Tabirara.Notably, Dr. Aldea has advanced agrarian reform and community development in Catanduanes. Her work focuses on improving service efficiency, overseeing the distribution of land ownership certificates, and implementing various programs that support farmers and beneficiaries. Under her leadership, several cooperatives and associations received support for climate-resilient agricultural practices, boosting productivity and sustainability. Moreover, she established a Farmer's Business School and secured funding for farm machinery, which provided much-needed resources for local agriculture.Meanwhile, CatSU's Graduate School has been stepping up under the leadership of Dr. Arthur I. Tabirara. As Dean, he introduced reforms such as updating the Graduate School Manual and enhancing curricula to meet current needs. He facilitated program upgrades and proposed the opening of doctoral programs to meet growing demands.In community service, Dr. Tabirara actively leads the Knights of Columbus, an international religious-based organization committed to serving different community sectors. He was recently appointed district deputy, covering six councils in the province. He also played a principal role in local legislation, particularly in environmental conservation and waste management, which have earned him awards and recognition.Dr. Tabirara viewed the award as a reminder for all CatSU graduates to uphold the university’s core values. He also emphasized that such recognition serves as encouragement to continue their commitment to community service and faith-driven leadership, extending blessings to the university for its role in inspiring service to others."Receiving this award is an enduring reminder for CatSU graduates to embody the university’s core values in serving others and honoring God,” he shared. As these stories of achievement and service unfold, it is clear that the legacy of CatSU thrives through its graduates. Dr. Aldea and Dr. Tabirara are just two shining examples of the many alumni whose service to their communities and fields of expertise serves as an inspiration to future generations. It is certain that many more exceptional alumni will be recognized as the search continues, further solidifying the reputation of the university as a catalyst for change, progress, and service, and inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
To empower them to participate in the government’s digitization initiatives, the Catanduanes State University (CatSU) employees participated in the Philippine National Public Key Infrastructure (PNPKI) orientation conducted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology - Catanduanes (DICT) personnel on December 17, 2024. According to DICT-Catanduanes, the University was selected as one of the institutions to be introduced to the PNPKI as it has been conducting both online and in-person transactions. The Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) helps create, manage, distribute, use, store, verify, and revoke digital certificates, ensuring the security of electronic information transfer for various network activities. DICT resource speaker Mark Andrew Erisare discussed the basics of PKI, and provided scenarios of its implementation, such as preventing long lines, fraud, and facilitating easy access for work-from-home setups.He also discussed the use of PKI in electronic signatures within digital certificates and transactions. Erisare assured that tampering with electronic signatures is not possible when using PKI, as it is designed to provide authentication, confidentiality, integrity, and non-repudiation. PKI also reduces the costs associated with delays in signing, transmitting, approving, and processing. A demonstration of digital signatures using PKI was conducted during the seminar which was held at the Quality Assurance room. Meanwhile, Kerbie Villanueva who was also from DICT, discussed the features and functions of the eGovPH application.
