The Center for Innovative Learning and Enterprise Development at the Romblon State University (C-iLearnED@RSU) is in full swing after DOST-MIMAROPA turns overcutting and bending equipment for the school factories housed by the C-iLearnED@RSU, the pioneering Research Center of the University.
Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani and Lina V. Servañez, the Provincial Director of DOST- PSTC Romblon lead the ribbon-cutting with Dr. Alfredo F. Fortu Jr., Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology. Also in attendance are Dr. Bilshan F. Servañez, Vice President for Research Extension Development and Innovation, Dr. Tomas T. Faminial, Vice-President for Administration and Finance, Dr. Emelyn R. Villanueva, the Vice-President for Academic Affairs, and Atty. Glenn Niño M. Sartillo, Chief Administrative Officer on the first day of October at RSU main campus.
CET spearheads the metalworking and woodworking laboratories considered as an in-campus business enterprise managed by RSU.
DOST funding of more than 2 million for the metalworking and woodworking enterprise aims to enhance the K-12 and outcomes-based (OBE) engineering program as technopreneurship is one of the required courses in the new engineering curriculum.
This project will also beef up the research capabilities of students and faculty members through the addition of equipment for developing new products.
A ceremonial activity with the theme “Convergence in Coconut Farming Communities Towards Sustainable Rural Enterprise Project (2020 Bayanihan)” was held last July 22, 2021, at San Andres National High School. Out of the 18 funded centers in the country, Romblon was chosen to have two centers for the Coconut Processing Convergence Project for the Municipalities of San Andres and San Agustin. The project was made possible through the partnership of Romblon State University and the Department of Agriculture – Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA).
“This project is for the Municipality of San Andres and San Agustin. Romblon State University is honored to be the way for the reality of the project. Sustainable development goals, accountability to every fund from the government where the community can benefit is significant for the success of this project.”
–Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani
The said a project with a total fund of Php 34 Million will pave the way for possible research opportunities and benefit local farmers and the economy of the LGUs.
Thank You, Department of Agriculture – Philippine Coconut Authority!
Formulating the University’s Vision and Mission is a crucial step toward building and running a successful educational institution. If crafted strategically, clarity and direction on decision-making, resource allocations, and operations management are attained. Otherwise, persistent conflicts will inevitably arise and identifying priorities will be difficult. On top of that, clear Vision and Mission statements are what hold the University stakeholders together. It is only proper that they engage in the systematic review process of the vision and mission that allows for adjustments derived from their ever-changing needs, especially that of the students who are the primary stakeholders.
This endeavor paved the way for the virtual Formulation, Review, and Revision of the RSU Vision and Mission. This was a half-day event held on Zoom attended by University officials, faculty and staff, students, representatives from different government and nongovernment agencies, alumni, parents, and other stakeholders. It geared toward recalibrating and realigning the RSU Vision and Mission to the shifting needs of the stakeholders as well as to the international academic trend such that RSU remains globally competitive in the face of current domestic and international challenges.
Mr. Turner Evon F. de Torres from the University’s Quality Assurance Office moderated the Zoom meeting and started it off with a run-through of the agenda. Thereafter, Dr. Tomas Faminial, Vice President for Administration and Finance, provided an opening remark and welcomed all the participants. The University President, Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani, imparted a message that laid stress on the importance of the Vision and Mission in providing a focal point so as to help the stakeholders align with the University and reassure that everyone works toward a common goal. This would lay the groundwork for the efficiency and productivity in the institution, she added. An Audio Visual Presentation was then delivered by the University’s Chief Administrative Officer, Atty. Glenn Niño M. Sartillo after which, an open forum was carried out to give way and opportunity for participants to scrutinize, review, or make recommendations on the formulated Vision and Mission, if there were any.
The participants had a healthy exchange of insights with Dr. Benedict Anatalio from Romblon Provincial Hospital (RPH) raising the question on why resilience and adaptability were not cited in the formulated Vision and Mission given that these attributes are imperative during these changing and challenging times. Mr. Frederick C. Gumabol,
Provincial Director of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), posed the same question and added: “Do you only aim to be an excellent research-based institution?” The University administrators namely Mr. Juniel G. Lucidos, Atty. Sartillo, and Dr. Mani went into detail that resilience and adaptability are parts of the core deliverables and are demonstrated in the University’s goals and objectives. Dr. Mani reiterated that to be globally competitive is to be equally resilient. On another note, pursuit of excellence in research is being emphasized since it was established in the SWOT analysis that research is the University’s weakest point at this time. In addition, Ptr. Andrew Tiaga, President of Foursquare Bible College, pointed out the lack of affective domain in the Vision and Mission statements. He said that the University must produce holistic persons with positive characters and strong values to which Dr. Mani addressed by conferring about RSU’s founding Core Values tagged as SCRIBES which stands for Stewardship, Competence, Resilience, Integrity, Balance, Excellence, and Service. Dr. Mani also spoke briefly of the 6th facet in the 10-Point Agenda in the context of excellence in human resource after Dr. Gumabol questioned why the University administrators were not mentioned. Dr. Rey P. Ramos, RSU’s Director of International Linkages and External Affairs Office, said that whatever is missing in the Vision and Mission can be found in the Core Values and 10-Point Agenda which were shared on screen by Mr. de Torres for everyone’s reference.
In closing, Dr. Emelyn R. Villanueva, Vice President for Academic Affairs, extended gratitude on behalf of the RSU administration towards the participants for sharing their time and valuable insights.
Summary of Communication Letters Sent to Head of Agencies and Municipalities
Personal
39
Email
19
TOTAL
58
Summary of Attendees
Administrators
43
Faculty
133
Staff
13
Students
85
Other Stakeholders
73
TOTAL
347
University officials, faculty and staff, students, representatives from different government and nongovernment agencies, alumni, parents, and other stakeholders pose for a photo as the event successfully comes to an end.
The digital age is inevitable and as an academic institution, we need to embrace the emerging innovations to achieve sustainable quality education and see to it that NO STUDENT IS LEFT BEHIND. As we continue to journey across these challenges, the Romblon State University encourages everyone to work hand in hand in adapting to the new learning modalities.
Romblon State University, represented by Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani, just recently forged its partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines for Project SPARTA, a grant by the DOST PCIEERD. The Ceremonial MOU Signing was held on May 12, 2021, during the Philippine Conference on Data Science and Analytics initiated by Project SPARTA. This project aims to train and provide a scholarship in data science and analytics.
The University’s entry was recognized as the third-best video out of the twelve entries from different HEIs in the MIMAROPA Region. The CHED MIMAROPA initiated the competition as part of the celebration of the Commission on Higher Education’s 27th Founding Anniversary and 1st National Higher Education Day.
Mental Wellness Check: A Psychological Needs Evaluation for 2nd Year Students was conducted by the Guidance and Counseling Services – RSU headed by Director Jun P. Dalisay, PhD, RGC with the support of Dr. Jacquelyn Rose A. Fajilagutan, Ms. Charry F. Mayuga, Ms. Rowelyn D. Galicia, and Ms. Lorena V. Moreno.
This mental health activity aims to provide psychological testing and group counseling services to 2nd year students to help them understand their psychological needs, unload their emotional burdens, and learn better coping strategies.
