Author: Raffy Ticong

The Business Affairs Office, in collaboration with the Project Development Unit, successfully spearheaded a lock-in write-shop on April 15–16, 2025, at the Northwest Samar State University Hotel and Restaurant Conference Hall, aimed at revising and enhancing the University’s Income Generating Projects (IGP) Manual. Organized in support of NwSSU’s strategic direction to institutionalize sustainable and policy-aligned income-generating initiatives, the write-shop gathered key university officials, technical writers, and subject matter experts to collaboratively update the 2016 IGP Manual. The event’s outcome is expected to provide a strengthened framework for financial management, integrate national guidelines from CHED, DBM, and COA, and align with relevant laws including RA 12009. It also incorporates sustainability principles, clearer performance metrics, and refined monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. Tasked with refining the IGP manual were Dr. Donald M. Patimo, Dr. Nicolas L. Faller, Ms. Florabel C. Canaman, and Mr. John M. Tan with the guidance of Mr. Redem D. Tingzon, the write-shop facilitator. Providing wise technical insights as experts were Mr. Rodolfo B. Corrales, Atty. Ma. Cecile Candida Y. Rueda, Mrs. Ivy B. Aligam, and Dr. Gil Leovigildo A. Ancheta. The prorgam management staff, composed of Engineers Mariel Jane F. Saberon and Ms. Moira Angelika T. Repaja, assisted the program managers in ensuring efficiency in the conduct of the activity. The write-shop promoted collaborative discourse and expert insights of policies critical to NwSSU’s financial sustainability. It also deepened institutional awareness on efficient IGP operations and laid the groundwork for the eventual finalization of a more responsive and future-ready IGP Manual. Through this, NwSSU is poised to boost the efficiency, profitability, and transparency of its income-generating programs, reinforcing its commitment to financial sustainability and institutional development.

Northwest Samar State University marked the conclusion of National Women’s Month with a culminating event on March 31, 2025, at the RSU Socio-cultural Center. Organized by the NwSSU’s Gender and Development Office, the event highlighted gender equality and women empowerment, in line with this year’s theme, “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas.” A songwriting and singing competition served as the centerpiece of the program, providing a platform for creative expression while reinforcing the advocacy for women’s rights. Participants showcased original compositions that reflected themes of empowerment, resilience, and equality. Dr. Riz Rupert Ortiz, VP for Research, Innovation and Extension, delivered the welcome message, emphasizing the institution’s commitment to forging an inclusive society. University Ombudsman Atty. Ma. Cecille Candida Y. Rueda also discussed the Safe Spaces Act (RA 11313), underscoring the importance of creating secure and respectful environments for all individuals. The program also featured intermission performances and a solidarity dance, symbolizing unity in the ongoing pursuit of gender equality. In closing, Dr. Myra Pilpa, SAS Director, expressed gratitude to participants and reaffirmed the university’s dedication to gender advocacy. As a final gesture of commitment, attendees wore purple, signifying support for the cause. The celebration reinforced NwSSU’s role as an institution that champions gender equality and inclusivity. Through events like this, the university continues to cultivate a culture of empowerment, where all are encouraged to be active advocates for women’s rights and social change.

In its continued drive to enhance professional development opportunities, Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) conducted a one-day Collaborative Writeshop on March 27, 2025, at the 4th Floor of the Administration Building, Main Campus. The event, titled “Designing Innovative CPD Programs,” focused on creating strategic Continuing Professional Development (CPD) initiatives to serve faculty, staff, and educators in the region. With the goal of becoming a top CPD provider, NwSSU aims to develop innovative programs that will support professional growth and help teachers and other professionals earn CPD points, a requirement for PRC license renewal. The writeshop also explored ways to partner with the Department of Education (DepEd) and other organizations to offer specialized training aligned with educational needs. Participants, including university key officials, college deans and faculty members, shared insights and brainstormed creative approaches to improve CPD offerings. Discussions centered on essential components for designing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programs, including curriculum innovation, skills upgrading, interdisciplinary learning, and professional development strategies, to ensure that the future programs are adaptive and impactful. By fostering collaboration and tapping into the expertise of its faculty, NwSSU seeks to position itself as a leader in CPD delivery in the region. The institution’s ongoing efforts reflect its commitment to improving the quality of education by supporting the continuous learning and professional development of its academic community and beyond. As NwSSU progresses with its CPD initiatives, it reaffirms its mission to be a driving force for professional and educational advancement, benefiting not only the university community but also the wider educational sector nationally.

Key officials of Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), including deans and directors from various divisions, gathered on March 25, 2025, at the 2nd Floor of the Business Development Center (BDC) for the 9th Management Review Committee (MRC) Meeting. This meeting served as a crucial platform to evaluate the university’s Quality Management System (QMS), ensuring its alignment with institutional goals and adherence to quality standards. The meeting focused on multiple agenda which included assessing the university’s mandate and functions, reviewing the status of previous management reviews, and identifying changes in internal and external issues relevant to QMS. Discussions also tackled customer satisfaction and feedback from research, innovation, and public service activities from 2024 to the present, the conformity of processes, and the adequacy of resources. Officials analyzed the effectiveness of actions taken to address risks and opportunities, examined internal audit results from Cycle 2024, and discussed the performance of external providers. Opportunities for improvement were also explored, highlighting NwSSU’s continuous pursuit of institutional excellence. The gathering emphasized the importance of fostering a responsive, data-driven approach to achieving quality objectives and addressing non-conformities through proactive corrective actions. In addition, the university reaffirmed its commitment to improving operational processes and service delivery, ensuring that all actions align with its mission to provide high-quality education and public service. With the insights and evaluation drawn from the 9th Management Review Committee Meeting, NwSSU reinforces its commitment to delivering quality education, services, and administrative processes. This continuous commitment to quality assurance ensures that NwSSU remains adaptable, progressive, and aligned with its mission of fostering academic excellence and institutional innovation.

March 21, 2025 — In its third stop across Central Visayas, Northwest Samar State University visited FABLAB Cebu Technological University (CTU) Danao to further enhance its knowledge on innovation and fabrication practices marking a meaningful milestone in NwSSU’s journey to establish its own state-of-the-art fabrication laboratory. The NwSSU delegation was warmly welcomed by CTU-Danao officials, led by Dr. Rose Mary L. Almacen, Campus Director, alongside Delia G. Sabio, NSTP Director; Engr. Jayson G. Bayogo, Adviser of the Engineering Society; and Dr. Joshlen B. Lim from the Information, Communications, and Public Affairs (ICPA) Office. Their guidance provided valuable insights into the facility’s operational strategies and community-oriented programs. The benchmarking activity allowed the NwSSU representatives to gain insights on FABLAB CTU-Danao’s efficient practices. The delegation observed how the facility supports student clients in prototyping projects, cultivating innovation from the ground up. Additionally, the FABLAB has shown promotion of sustainability through upcycling initiatives and played an essential role in the local creative industry by offering livelihood training programs. These workshops empower local entrepreneurs and artists, helping them turn ideas into marketable products. Beyond serving the local community, the fablab also addresses the university’s internal needs by supporting institutional multimedia production. This capability aligns with NwSSU’s goal of improving its own multimedia publication and technology-based initiatives. The NwSSU team commended the outstanding hospitality shown by CTU-Danao throughout the visit, highlighting the warm reception and collaborative spirit that fueled productive discussions and exploration on future partnerships. With this another benchmarking activity completed — following earlier visits to FABLAB Bohol and FABLAB UP Cebu — NwSSU is now equipped with a more knowledge and inspiration to guide the establishment of its own fabrication laboratory. The university remains dedicated to turning these insights into reality, promoting innovation, empowering its academic and local community, and driving sustainable development in Eastern Visayas. This marks not an end, but the beginning of an exciting new chapter for NwSSU’s vision of progress and ingenuity.