The ISAT U Leon Campus hosted a testimonial program in honor of the November 2022 Agriculturist Licensure Examination (LEA) topnotcher, Mr. Jefferson T. Orr and of other successful passers of LEA and the October 2022 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) at the University’s Covered Gym.

The event was to give due recognition to the good performance of the graduates of ISAT U Leon Campus. The University takes pride in producing topnotcher for the first time in history in Licensure Examination for Agriculturists and other passers in the said exam last November 2022. Another reason for the celebration was the University’s good performance in the October 2022 Licensure Examination for Teachers.

Dr. Raul F. Muyong, university president congratulated the LEA topnotcher and all the LEA and LET passers. He was also grateful for the service and dedication of the faculty and staff in achieving excellent education with the leadership of Dr. Julito C. Aligaen. He challenged Mr. Jefferson T. Orr and other successful passers to bring the values the University has instilled to them wherever they go.

Mr. Jefferson T. Orr, 7^th placer in the Agriculturist Licensure Examination received a plaque of recognition and a monetary incentive from the University on top of the personal cash incentive given by President Muyong. He said he was grateful to be an alumna of ISAT U, Leon Campus. He extended his gratitude to his family,  teachers,

classmates and friends who have supported him.

 

When the rest of the world was sleeping, uncertainty came to wreak havoc – a global pandemic, spreading like wildfire. The virus lured the globe and decayed a plethora of lives that left almost everyone feeling helpless and hopeless. Everyone was brought to their knees in a single sweep, except for the stout-hearted individuals. Ivan Omar Lusterio Nobleza, Licensed Professional Teacher (LPT), was among them who persevered in reaching his goal patiently towards becoming a licensed professional teacher.

“I made every second count while studying and getting ready for the licensure examination despite the fact that the pandemic had challenged us in terms of how we were going to continue learning,” Ivan said in an interview.

He emphasized the significance of tenacity in the face of adversity. With the ongoing global pandemic, most establishments, especially schools were closed for protocol concerns, but he continued his steps toward his goal, which he accomplished excellently.

Ivan started getting ready for the examination in March 2020. He utilized reviewers at hand and that of the Professional Career Center of Excellence, Co. (PCCE), led by Mrs. Ruby, offering him free review sessions.

Three months before the examination, he temporarily left his office clerk job and continued studying at the public library daily. He studied independently during weekdays and attended review sessions on weekends.

Last December 16, 2022, the results were publicly published, 56 working days after the licensure exam. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) reported that 49,783 students (54.43%) passed the Elementary Level, while 71,080 students (50.94%) made it in the Secondary Level.

“The triumph of passing the board exam is a doorway that I have unlocked, and patience and perseverance are the keys. No matter what course a student is studying, patience and perseverance are constant points of contention. If you lack patience and persistence, you will not be able to accomplish anything,” he added.

Ivan Omar L. Nobleza of Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) passed the October 2022 Licensure Examination for Teachers (Elementary Level) and ranked 10th overall with an examination rating of 92.60%. Overall, ISAT U achieved a national passing rate of 89.47% for elementary and 62.63% for secondary.

Given in different testing centers nationwide, the LET is taken by education graduates twice a year, usually in March and September. Successful test-takers will be eligible to practice their profession and obtain a teaching license.

Undoubtedly, Mr. Nobleza, along with the rest of the LET passers has once again stood as a testimony that the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) College of Education (COE) is, indeed, a Center of Development (COD) for Teacher Education. As his name reflects, IVAN, truly is Idealistic, Valiant, Austere, and Notable.

IDEALISTIC AND GADABOUT STUDENT

“As a student, I find delight in attending school. Since I am mindful of my duties as a student, I am able to both enjoy learning and fulfill my responsibilities.”

Ivan finished his elementary in Jose Gonzaga Elementary School, Bacolod City. He graduated high school in Negros Occidental High School. In 2004, he enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering program at Technological University of the Philippines Visayas, yet he ceased attending school because of financial challenges. He then enrolled in a private college in Manila to study Computer Science while supporting himself by working other part-time jobs besides janitorial before deciding to pursue Education, which was his dream career.

He tried his luck in Iloilo City, determined to graduate and pursue his ideal profession. In 2016, he enrolled in the Bachelor of Elementary Education (BEEd) at ISAT U. His sister provided financial support for him during his first and second years, but by the third year, when ISAT U started offering free tuition and fees, he was very happy because he was able to sustain himself until he could graduate.

He excelled as a leader whilst in college. In his first year, he served as their section’s vice president. After gaining vice presidential experience, he contributed to the advancement of his Council and was subsequently elected vice president of the BEEd Council. Later, in his third year, he was elected as the Educators’ Guild secretary, and in his fourth year, he was voted as the Educators’ Guild vice governor.

VALIANT SON

“They say that the youngest sibling is favored, but in my case, I carry with me myriad responsibilities.”

Of the six siblings, Ivan was the youngest. Even though he lacked a stable job back then, he managed to help his family. He is really understanding and helpful. He is aware of his responsibilities and offers his time to compensate for those things that he cannot provide, financially.

AUSTERE STUDENT ASSISTANT

“I enjoy working, and I believe that working as a student assistant has taught me a lot. Managing school and work developed me towards transcendence.”

He was working as a student assistant at the Pedagogy Department of the College during his spare time, making up the four hours that a student assistant is required to render. He was a diligent, responsible, and methodical student assistant. Ivan used his workload as an opportunity to develop skills that he could use in his everyday life rather than as stressors.

NOTABLE FRIEND

“True friends make life more enjoyable. I can give my buddies my time just like I do for my family.” Others first perceived him as snooty and acrimonious, despite the fact that they were familiar with his upbeat personality. He is the kind of friend who makes jokes and shares lores. He always makes a sincere effort to support his colleagues. He gives off his time and part of himself to help his friends as he would his family.

IVAN: HENCEFORWARD

“I want to work toward becoming a teacher, in the real sense of the word, who can make a difference for the students, the institution, and society. I don’t just want to be a teacher whose teachings are confined to a classroom. I want to actively teach others how to improve what needs to be improved. I should be able to resolve the issues that should be resolved in terms of education since that is what the teacher’s role should be – a teacher who can have an impact on the students’ life,” Ivan said during the interview.

With experience, determination, and discipline, he was able to accomplish his dream and succeed with flying colors in the teachers’ licensure exam.

Truly, dreams were put on hold when the world was slapped awake and crippled by the global pandemic. But for Ivan Omar L. Nobleza, a LET topnotcher and a now Licensed Professional Teacher, education brewed with patience and perseverance is an ambrosia toward success. | Ritsdon Hijastro

 

Quacquarelli Symonds Stars Ratings, most popularly known as QS Stars, is a rating system that delivers a thorough insight into an academic institution, enabling students, staff, and faculty to classify which universities are the best globally.

True to its vision as the “leading Science and Technology University in Southeast Asia by 2030”, and with the full support of the Commission on Higher Education and CHED International Affairs Service, Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) pursued the QS Stars Ratings and submitted all documents for audit in October 2022.

In order for ISAT U to get audited by the QS Stars Ratings Evaluation Committee, the University first had to create a core group that needed to oversee the data gathering and validating processes. It was a concerted effort from various offices and colleges in the university system. Of course, the ISAT U QS Stars Ratings team would not have made it through the daunting journey had it not been for the full support of the Commission on Higher Education led by Chair Dr. J Prospero E. De Vera III and the CHED International Affairs Service led by Atty. Lily Freida M. Milla. Gratitude also goes out to Dr. Christine N. Ferrer of Tarlac Agricultural University for her guidance.

The QS Stars Ratings system allows institutions to identify and improve on their areas of weakness, providing detailed assessments under each criterion. ISAT U has chosen the following criteria for audit: (1) Core Criteria – Teaching, Employability, and Internationalization; (2) Learning Environment – Online Learning, (3) Specialist Criteria – Program Strength, and (4) Advanced Criteria – Inclusiveness and Social Responsibility.

Under QS Stars, the institutions that display exceptional performance and quality standards are awarded a 5 Star rating. ISAT U has been awarded 3-Stars in the overall audit and received the following number of stars in the following individual criteria: 4-Stars for Teaching, 5-Stars for Employability, 1-Star for Internationalization, 5-Stars for Academic Development, 5-Stars for Online Learning, 3-Stars for Program Strength, 5-Stars for Social Responsibility, and 4-Stars in Inclusiveness.

The administration of ISAT U led by Dr. Raul F. Muyong – SUC President III, understands that schools are different from one another and therefore need to be assessed on a range of categories that recognize distinct strengths. So, with the grant coming from the Commission on Higher Education, ISAT U boldly went for the QS Stars audit which allowed the identification of strengths and weaknesses across a variety of areas. Results from the QS Stars Ratings encourage institutions to establish or improve their data collection culture and help them improve their long-term strategy and mission.

Awarded with 3-Stars that align ISAT U in the global roster of universities espousing quality and excellence in education, it is indisputable that this former Trade School has leveled up the playing field for higher education institutions in Western Visayas. Indeed, ISAT U continues teaching, touching, and transforming lives in the Philippines and beyond.

 

(c) Jieza J. Napone, LPT

The ISAT U Leon Campus hosted a testimonial program in honor of the November 2022 Agriculturist Licensure Examination (LEA) topnotcher, Mr. Jefferson T. Orr and of other successful passers of LEA and the October 2022 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) at the University’s Covered Gym.

The event was to give due recognition to the good performance of the graduates of ISAT U Leon Campus. The University takes pride in producing topnotcher for the first time in history in Licensure Examination for Agriculturists and other passers in the said exam last November 2022. Another reason for the celebration was the University’s good performance in the October 2022 Licensure Examination for Teachers.

Dr. Raul F. Muyong, university president congratulated the LEA topnotcher and all the LEA and LET passers. He was also grateful for the service and dedication of the faculty and staff in achieving excellent education with the leadership of Dr. Julito C. Aligaen. He challenged Mr. Jefferson T. Orr and other successful passers to bring the values the University has instilled to them wherever they go.

Mr. Jefferson T. Orr, 7^th placer in the Agriculturist Licensure Examination received a plaque of recognition and a monetary incentive from the University on top of the personal cash incentive given by President Muyong. He said he was grateful to be an alumna of ISAT U, Leon Campus. He extended his gratitude to his family,  teachers, classmates and friends who have supported him.

The Iloilo Science and Technology University – Lapaz Campus has four (4) ongoing major projects being rehabilitated and constructed to cater the different growing needs of its stakeholders. Now, that the university is gearing towards limited face-to-face mode of learning the said constructions will mutually benefit not just the administration but most especially the students.

Rehabilitation of the Civil Technology Building. This three-storey building is already 53.13% completed and this will cater all civil technology and civil engineering courses in the conduct of lecture and laboratory classes. This will also provide the faculty, students, and all stakeholders with conducive and safe civil technology building to enhance the teaching learning process in conducting academic activities particularly for civil technology and civil engineering courses. With the construction of the new building, the faculty can deliver quality and efficient instruction that will expose the student in scientific and technological education.

Rehabilitation of the L-building. Currently, this four-storey building is 78.47% completed. This will then cater the conduct of lecture and laboratory classes of HRT students. Also, this will provide students with a more conducive and safe classrooms and learning space for knowledge and skills development.

Rehabilitation of the ground floor administration building.  The major rehabilitation is currently 73.48% completed.  The President’s office together with the office of the board secretary will be relocated in this area. The renovation also includes the office of the cashier, accounting and finance. In addition to such offices, there will be a board room with lounge area and a President’s function room. The façade and entrance of the University is included in the said project.

Construction of the University four-story library.  This building is already 93.47% completed and it will provide more space and conducive place for students to study, do research and engage in academic investigations and learning through books and internet.

With all these on-going developments in the main campus, the students will now have something to look forward to when they come back to the university for the conduct of the limited face-to-face classes after two years of online modality of learning.

 

 

 

 

He is known for his dehydrator machines. Now, he is into smart hydroponics. Let us get to know the man, the project, and his dedication to science and the community.

 

“I grew up in the farm and farming is very close to my heart. This is the very reason why I ventured in this kind of project despite the different challenges me and my team encountered along the way.”

 

PICO: Please tell us more about yourself.

Dr. Renerio S. Mucas: I graduated Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education mayor in Electronics and took up my Master of Industrial Education major in Electronics here in our university. I am a loyalist so to say because my PhD in Educational Management was done here also.

PICO: How did you end up doing developmental research?

Dr. Renerio S. Mucas: It was during our National Budget Circular review that Innovation surfaced as one of my weak points so I challenged myself and focused on research. Also, it was in 2010 when I attended a training in Singapore for 2 months and a half. New technology was introduced and it was basically more on computer controls and my interest in this kind of field grew.

PICO: Many would express that research is a complicated field. What are your thoughts on this?

Dr. Renerio S. Mucas: Research is not that complicated at all. Its only in the mind actually. You will enjoy research because you will learn a lot and it is a continued process. You will discover more and upon discovering more, you will have this driving force to advance your readings and generate more ideas along the way.

PICO: The MUCAS project is quite interesting. What is the inspiration behind this?

Dr. Renerio S. Mucas: Okay, MUCAS or Management of Unified Control and Automated Systems is a one-year project funded by the Department of Science and Technology. My motivation of doing this project is actually to use my knowledge in the control systems in agriculture since I am into electronics. You know, I grew up in the farm and farming is very close to my heart. Nowadays, our farmers are ageing and only a few young people wanted to venture in this kind of hard work. With this MUCAS, I wanted to introduce smart farming to the community. Venturing in high valued crops is another way to improve the way of farming here in the Philippines specifically here in Western Visayas.

PICO: What is the main function of this MUCAS?

 Dr. Renerio S. Mucas: I came up with a system, the IoT wherein the water, temperature and nutrients parameters for hydroponics will be controlled automaticallyso that you can assure of the growth and progress of your plants. Traditionally, farm owners tend to their farms through manual and hard labor especially when it comes to monitoring and securing the water and Ph levels of the plants. With this breakthrough, farm owners can now simply program everything and monitor the progress wherever they are for as long as the application is installed in their mobile devices.

PICO: What are the challenges you encountered along the way?  

 Dr. Renerio S. Mucas: When the unit was already installed in the site, I thought its already good but upon observation and monitoring, the project still needs to be upgraded. Good thing I have my team with me in the persons of Mr. Hilario S. Taberna Jr., Ms. Vanessa Mae D. Supapo who also worked tirelessly to improve and enhance this project.

PICO: Lastly, what is the main ingredient in doing this kind of project and your take away for our young researchers? 

Dr. Renerio S. Mucas: I don’t want the output to be not of a value. I want it to be of use especially in the community. More readings and determination are the key in this kind of work. If possible, I want to perfect my projects but along the way, there’s still a lot of things to be done. Never stop learning and always challenge yourselves to do better.

 

 

 

The ISAT U Architecture Department proved its top-level performance as 12 out of 17 first timer takers passed the Architect Licensure Examination (ALE) conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) last January 21-23, 2022. The University posted a passing percentage of 70.59% against the National Passing Percentage of 63.16%.

The new licensed architects are: Arch. Jason C. Abatayo, Arch. Emerald May L. Alanan, Arch. Est A. Alimpuyo, Arch. Geddan S. Garanzo, Arch. Gerrit Evan M. Gumban, Arch. Jun Mark P. Hiponia, Arch. John Dominic A. Lozarito, Arch. Sherry Mae A. Oyales, Arch. Lovelyn C. Punzalan, Arch. Ladylyn D. Quilantang, Arch. Paul Fermin S. Tonducan and Arch. Chris Ann Joy M. Virtus.

“It’s really a relief and that finally we had a good performance in the exam. I believe that more from this batch will pass since most form this group are really good and competitive students. In behalf of Architecture Department, we are proud of them,” said Arch. Regina Falconite, Head, Architecture Department.

 

 

– Engr. Adrian L. Pillano

The ISAT University Student Republic Federation held an annual election of officers on 11 November 2021, 8:00 AM -5:00 PM at ISAT University Iloilo City campus covered gym.

After all the nomination of candidates to campaign speeches, casting of votes, up to counting, Hon. John Joseph L. Tabladillo surfaced as the new Student Republic Federation President.

“The feeling is surreal! I can still clearly recall when I was much younger that the university’s field used to be my playground. Now, I am already taking a very big responsibility as the newly-elected student regent. I am very honored to be taking part in giving hope and be an inspiration to my fellow students” Tabladillo shared during an interview.

When asked about his advocacy, he emphasized that bridging international engagements for students will be his priority. The gradual “ligtas balik eskwela” is on top of his list of things to do with the help of the key officials of the university. He will also encourage his fellow students to get vaccinated just in time for the university’s plan of having limited face-to-face classes.

“We are very positive that the University key officials will give their support on the idea of adopting a nearby community to be our partner. In our own little ways, we look forward to initiate projects such as tutorials, livelihood programs, giving of seminars and workshop, among others to help the community somehow improve their lives” he added.

The External Affairs Office through the National and International Affairs (NIA) and the Employees Association – Iloilo City Campus championed the webinar series for the non-teaching personnel of all ISAT U Campuses entitled, “ISAT U kag ang Bugal sang Iloilo: An Initiative to Internationalize Guest Handling”.This was a 4-part webinar held via Zoom on July 14, 21, 28 and August 4, 2021.Dr. Raul F. Muyong, ISAT U President, welcomed the resource speakers during the plenary session on July 14, 2021 which started promptly at 8:00 o’clock in the morning. Mrs.Sofia Celeste E. Sarino — Accredited Tour Guide of the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas, Ms. Angeline E. Basco — Accredited Tour Guide of the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas and CIT NIA Coordinator of ISAT U, and Ms. Mona Luisa C. de Guzman – Accredited Tour Guide of the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas and Director of the Industry Linkages and Development Office of ISAT U were the three esteemed resource speakers of the webinar series.The national and international visitors to ISAT U’s five campuses must be well received and afforded culturally relevant courtesies and considerations since the University values its many partnerships with higher education institutions, industry partners, and other stakeholders within the country and around the world.Creating and sustaining these national and international linkages means involving all employees of the University in trainings that could help improve their guest relations skills.The Guest Handling webinar series aimed to train school personnel to have a common process and language when assisting guests and stakeholders.This allows the University to brand ISAT U’s employees’ interaction of excellent service which adds value to its name.Topics discussed on “Guest Handling Basics; Places and People; Iloilo: The Food Haven of the Philippines” and the virtual tour on the fourth installment of the webinar aimed to increase the non-teaching personnel’s motivation and engagement, improve their knowledge and skills set, and boost their confidence and morale as well.The local and international stakeholders are also beneficiaries of the training.The knowledge and skills learned from the webinar could increase guest satisfaction, improve cultural relations, sustain and further expand partnerships.The webinar also aimed to help increase international recognition, improve the reputation, standing and uniqueness of ISAT U in the international higher education arena which will ultimately make known the “tatak ISAT U” in Southeast Asia and beyond. hrvatskafarmacija24– Jieza J. Napone, LPT