Author: Niño Christian Babaran

“Indeed, we can never improve if we are alone,” –Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo University President.Hon. Stephen James T. Tan- Samar First District representative and at the same time, University Board of Regents representative of Hon. Mark O. Go – Chairperson, House of Representatives Committee on Higher Education and Technical Education, sat down with the Officials of the top management of NwSSU for a consultative meeting today at the University Board Room, NwSSU Main Campus.After Dr. Pecayo’s introduction of the attendees, the congressman expressed his gratitude for the encounter as a means for realizing further development in the University through collaboration with the Office of the First District Representative. The consultative discussion began after the remarkable question of the Congressman: “What can I do to help?” – referring to the University’s probable programs and projects. Among the main points discussed were the plan of the University for extension campuses in Sta. Margarita, and Tarangnan, Samar which will offer maritime and fisheries courses, the Affirmative Action Plan of Financial Assistance to deserving students from the district’s poorest of the poor class, enrolment of department heads and staff to the Master’s Program on Public Management of the Special Academic Program, funding of the priority projects which include the University Dormitory, Rubberized Athletic Oval Track, construction of additional classrooms, establishment of the Nursing and other allied health courses, International Research Conference, construction of student lounges and multi-purpose hall, continuation of the academic building construction at San Jorge Campus, and the potential hosting for SCUAA 2024.He assured the body that the University’s proposed programs and projects will be included in his congressional budget proposal and will do all possible means to secure other supporting fundings.

“𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺.” Engr. Rhio C. Dimakiling, Vice President for Administrative Affairs, commended the entire workforce after its first annual surveillance audit on May 22–23, 2023, which resulted in recertification. The surveillance was after the assessment and accreditation of NwSSU’s Quality Management System (QMS) for ISO 9001:2015 standards and the university’s rectification last March 9, 2022, by SOCOTEC (formerly AJA Registrars). The SOCOTEC Audit Team included Lead Auditor Marisse Cruz, Mark Anthony Ilagan, and Arcel Andres. The team audited the university’s QMS, covering the context of organization presented by the top management: internal audit, control of documented information, library services, guidance services, school plants, facilities, and infrastructure development office, security services, student affairs and services, tertiary education, including laboratory and curriculum development, the registrar’s office, human resources, research and extension, and management review. The auditors’ deliberation followed. At the closing meeting, the lead auditor presented the summary report and audit debriefing, where the best practices, opportunities for improvement, and minor non-conformities were discussed. Overall, the university had no major non-conformities and was recertified. Post audit deliverables will be available after 10 working days.

Participated by the Graduate School faculty and students, a research forum commences, Saturday, May 20, at Business Development Center, NwSSU.

Today, the Commission on Human Rights, represented by its Chairperson, Hon. Richard P. Palpal-Latoc, and University President Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo signed the memorandum of agreement on the establishment, development, strengthening, and continuous operationalization of a Center for Human Rights Education (CHRE) at NwSSU. The said project is part of the commission’s efforts to encourage SUCs and private HEIs to establish their Centers for Human Rights Education as their main mechanisms for helping accelerate the building of a culture of human rights in the academic communities and in the geographic area of jurisdiction where they operate. Both parties agreed to the establishment of a CHRE within the campus, the designation of a Center Director, the selection and capacity building of human rights educators, and the launching of the center. CHR will develop information education and communication (IEC) materials and standard training modules on human rights, access to justice, and the rule of law that can be used, reproduced, and/or disseminated by NwSSU-CHRE. Also present at the event were CHR Region 8 Director Atty. Desiree V. Pontejos, Administrative Aide VI Winzhel Campiones, CHR Calbayog City Office Attorney IV Atty. Joy P. Sodusta, and OIC of Education and Information Section Ma. Rona S. Lomuardo.

Around 400 National Service Training Program (NSTP) students underwent a training-demonstration on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) last April 29, 2023, at the RSU Socio-cultural Center, NwSSU Main Campus, Calbayog City. The activity was organized by the University Health Center in cooperation with the NSTP Office and CWTS Faculty in partnership with the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office of Calbayog City. “Maximize this opportunity of learning so that you will be prepared to use it in every opportunity to save lives” – Vice President for Administration – Engr. Rhio C. Dimakiling said in his opening remarks. “Hindi natin maituturing na tayo ay handa kung kulang tayo sa kaalaman” he added. “As you continue to practice and share your knowledge with others, know that you are making a significant difference in the world. Your commitment to CPR education and awareness will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the lives of those around you,” – Dr. Myra L. Pilpa, Director, SAS

Members of the University Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council conduct a training on Basic Radio Communications for University Emergency First Responders at the Business Development Center, NwSSU Main Campus. The resource persons are Head of Sports and Physical Fitness – Engr. Joseph Marian Romano, Security Services Supervisor – Joel Tañega, and UDRRM Officer – Eugene Calumba.

UNICEF in partnership with UP Center for Women’s Studies Foundation Inc., and NwSSU through the Office of Gender and Development conducted a 4-day Training Workshop for Child Development Workers and Child Development Teachers of LGU-Mapanas, Northern Samar last April 11-14, 2023. As a manifestation of gratitude and support, the opening remarks was attended by Mapanas Vice Mayor Luisa Barbara Tejano, and Municipal Councilors – Melchor Capoquian, and Luckie Longcop. In her opening remarks, Vice Mayor Tejano thanked the organizers for their efforts of implementing the program in the Municipality of Mapanas. She also commended them for including the topic “Inclusion” in the program.Similar training rollouts will be conducted to other LGU partners in the coming months.

With the theme, “NSCART Revive: Students Support for Innovative and Virtual Practices of the New Normal”, the BS Business Administration students of Northwest Samar State University held the 12th NSCART at RSU- Sociocultural Center, April 14. “Great things never come from our comfort zone and I know that our awardees…go out from this and explore to become what they are today… I hope that through this event, we were able to acknowledge your great contribution in media”, Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo, University President remarked during his welcome message. The NSCART acknowledges personalities and media practitioners who excelled on different categories based from students’ votes. The survey and awards were painstakingly administered and prepared for 6 months. The following is the list of awardees of the recently concluded event.

Teaching personnel of both campuses of the University attend today’s orientation on the Joint Circular No. 3, s. 2022 issued by the Department of Budget and Management and the Commission on Higher Education at RSU Socio-Cultural Center. The resource persons are CHEDRO 8 Director- Maximo C. Aljibe, and Focal Person for Faculty Reclassification- Dr. Catherine O. Iglesias.

NwSSU delegation headed by the University President- Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo attends this year’s Presidents’ Summit which will recognize and award the Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) members who have purposefully fulfilled the ITSO 2.0 Clustering deliverables for 2022. Additionally, the occasion is an opportunity to display shared accomplishments with the ITSO network and highlight new opportunities in delivering good harvests of creative and solution-value products from their sustained research and innovation efforts, thereby satisfying the expectations of the ITSO 2.0 Clustering Scheme. NwSSU along with other HEIs also inked a MOA with IPOPHIL for ITSO Franchise.