Author: Raffy Ticong

CEBU CITY — To enhance its innovation and fabrication capabilities, Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) conducted a benchmarking activity at FABLAB UP Cebu on March 20, marking the second stop in a series of visits across Central Visayas. The visit provided NwSSU representatives with key insights into the operations of Fablab UP Cebu, which primarily caters to students in arts and design, architecture, and related fields. The facility also engages in government-to-government transactions, accommodates senior high school interns in specialized disciplines during SHS work immersion, and extends services to private corporations. A designated manager oversees training programs to ensure skill development and industry alignment. Fablab UP Cebu representatives, including Manager Jonessa Abayon, Administrator Ma. Janica Marcellana, and Resident Maker Mark Cortez, guided the NwSSU delegation through the facility, showcasing its advanced fabrication tools and processes. They demonstrated how students and professionals utilize cutting-edge equipment to bring innovative designs to life and facilitated discussions on best practices, operational strategies, and potential collaborations. Their engagement highlighted the importance of fostering creativity, technical expertise, and industry linkages in advancing innovation. By exploring partnerships and best practices, NwSSU aims to enrich its academic, research, and multimedia publication initiatives. With this visit following an earlier benchmarking at FABLAB Bohol, NwSSU continues to pursue excellence in education, fabrication, and innovation. The university’s commitment to expanding its publication capabilities and exploring new frontiers in innovation is expected to have a positive impact on its students, faculty, and the wider community, driving growth, creativity, and progress in the region.

Faculty members from the Bachelor of Science in Development Communication and Bachelor of Science in Criminology programs of the College of Criminal Justice and Sciences (CCJS) conducted an outreach activity on campus journalism and a campaign against bullying and school-related threats at Panoypoy Integrated School on Monday, March 17, 2025. The event aimed to educate elementary and junior high school students on responsible campus journalism and to raise awareness about bullying and school-related threats. The outreach included a series of lectures and workshops designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to practice ethical journalism and to promote a safer school environment. BSDevCom faculty members led the session on campus journalism, which focused on media laws and ethics, the basics of news writing, feature writing, photojournalism, science journalism, and writing for broadcast. The lectures emphasized the role of student journalists in fostering a well-informed school community. Meanwhile, BSCrim faculty members conducted lectures and a workshop on identifying and addressing bullying and other threats in school settings, emphasizing the importance of reporting incidents and supporting peers. Gender and Development Office Director, Mrs. Ma. Gemma L. Tapel, also lectured about the Safe Spaces Act, also known as the Bawal Bastos Law. The activity was also attended by faculty members from the Bachelor of Science in Industry Security Management, Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement Administration, and College of Education, Human Resource Development Officer – Main Campus, Ms. Jenith T. Salem, and the Dean of the College of Criminal Justice and Sciences, Dr. Armando A. Alviola. Through this outreach activity, the students gained valuable knowledge and skills on responsible campus journalism and anti-bullying strategies, enabling them to become more responsible and empathetic members of their school community. The distribution of hygiene kits and slippers also promoted a sense of well-being and inclusivity among the students. The outreach activity reflects the commitment of the NwSSU BSDevCom and BSCrim faculty to promote responsible communication and ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for students. By empowering students with the knowledge and skills to address social issues, the faculty members aim to create a positive impact on the students’ lives and contribute to the development of a more informed and compassionate society.

The Committee on Anti-Red Tape Authority (CART) of the Northwest Samar State University recently held an online re-orientation aimed at reinforcing the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 11032 and other relevant Anti-Red Tape (ARTA) issuances on March 19, 2025. The event was designed to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of key anti-red tape measures and guidelines. Key topics covered during the session included a brief overview of RA 11032, the Committee on Anti-Red Tape, the Report Card Survey 2.0, and the Whole-of-Government Reengineering Manual. Additionally, the orientation delved into the Citizen’s Charter, the Harmonized Client Satisfaction Measurement Guidelines, and the Zero Backlog program—all vital components in ensuring improved service delivery and transparency in government transactions. Through this online re-orientation, the university’s CART aims to empower stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary to uphold the goals of RA 11032. As a result, the university expects to see significant improvements in service delivery, including reduced processing times, increased transparency, and enhanced public satisfaction. By streamlining its processes and eliminating unnecessary red tape, the university aims to provide better services to its stakeholders, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and effective public service. The successful implementation of RA 11032 is expected to have a positive impact on the university’s operations, enabling it to provide faster, more efficient, and more transparent services to its students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders. By reducing bureaucratic hurdles and promoting a culture of transparency and accountability, the university aims to create a more conducive environment for learning, research, and community engagement.

Palo, Leyte – On March 12, 2025, the Regional Development Council – Social Development Committee (RDC-SDC) officially endorsed 23 priority programs and projects from the Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) during a meeting held at the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) – Regional Office VIII. The endorsement marks a significant milestone for the university, which presented the second-highest number of implementation-ready proposals among the institutions reviewed. This achievement ensures that NwSSU is aligned with the Policy Management Guidelines and adheres to all relevant legal issuances as part of the rigorous process for securing funding under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for Fiscal Year 2026. The proposals, which span various key areas of infrastructure development, and academic, and research advancement, were thoroughly vetted by the university’s Planning and Development Services Office (PDSO) to ensure their feasibility and compliance with national development goals. This endorsement represents an important step toward further strengthening the university’s contribution to regional and national growth, as well as providing much-needed funding to enhance educational services and infrastructure for the upcoming fiscal year.

In support of the National Women’s Month with its theme “Babae sa Lahat ng Sektor, Aangat ang Bukas sa Bagong Pilipinas,” the Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) Office of Gender and Development successfully conducted a Free Theoretical Driving Course (TDC) for its women students and employees on March 13-14, 2025, at the RSU-Socio Cultural Center. This initiative, in collaboration with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Calbayog, aimed to equip women with essential knowledge and driving education, promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. The program commenced with an opening ceremony featuring an audio-visual presentation and a welcome address by Dr. Riz Rupert L. Ortiz, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension. Mr. Jilmar Badion, LTO Calbayog Head, emphasized the importance of accessible driving education in improving women’s mobility and road safety. Following the opening program, attendees went through a lecture session on Introduction to LTO RA 4136 and RA 10930 conducted by Francies Jony O. Barandino. This was then followed by the presentation on traffic rules and regulations and Land Transportation Related Special Law conducted by Peter Jade S. Tarrayo. The session was designed to impart an in-depth understanding of these laws and their implications. The program concluded with a final written exam assessing the participants’ understanding of the topics discussed. By completing this training, participants are now better equipped to obtain a driver’s license, promoting inclusivity and independence among NwSSU’s students and employees.  This initiative demonstrates NwSSU’s commitment to promoting gender equality and women empowerment, providing opportunities for women to develop valuable life skills.

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) continues in enhancing its academic offerings with the recent awarding of the Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for the Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education (BTLEd) with a specialization in Information and Communication Technology. The certification, issued by CHED Region VIII Director Dr. Maximo C. Aljibe, certifies that NwSSU Main Campus fulfills the minimum standards set by CHED for the program. This compliance is applicable for the Academic Year 2024-2025 and further reinforces the university’s dedication to delivering quality education in technology and livelihood education. With this latest accreditation, a total of 10 programs within the College of Education (COED) have now obtained COPC from CHED, reflecting NwSSU’s compliance with national standards in higher education. The University community takes great pride in this achievement, as it aligns with the university mission of making accessible and high-quality education for all. The institution reaffirms its commitment to maintaining continuous compliance with CHED regulations to uphold excellence in academic instruction.

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) has secured the 190th spot among 336 institutions nationwide in the AD Scientific Index 2025, reaffirming its growing presence in the research community. The AD Scientific Index is a global ranking system that evaluates scientists and institutions based on research productivity and scholarly impact across various academic fields. NwSSU also placed 8th among state universities and colleges (SUCs) in Eastern Visayas, a testament to its commitment to academic excellence and innovation. The university’s faculty researchers continue to push the boundaries of knowledge, solidifying NwSSU’s reputation as a hub for scientific inquiry. A total of 15 faculty members from both NwSSU campuses have been recognized in the index, reflecting their dedication to high-impact research. Their contributions not only enhance the university’s academic standing but also support its mission of fostering a strong research culture. NwSSU acknowledges the invaluable efforts of these faculty members, whose work elevates NwSSU’s standing in the scientific community. As the university continues to champion research and innovation, this recognition marks another step toward expanding its influence in the academic and scientific landscape.

Strengthening its commitment to international collaboration, Northwest Samar State University participated in EduCanada Pathways to Partnerships 2025, a partnership-building initiative hosted by the Embassy of Canada. The event, held on March 7 in Manila, brought together Philippine and Canadian academic institutions to explore potential collaborations. Representing NwSSU at the event were Dr. Ramil S. Catamora, Vice-President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Donald M. Patimo, Dean of the College of Management; Dr. Francisco B. Bacamante Jr., Dean of the College of Computing and Information Sciences; Engr. Ignacio G. Tocayon Jr., Dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture; Dr. Jannel C. Alviola, Dean of the College of Education; Dr. Armando A. Alviola, Dean of the College of Criminal Justice and Sciences; Dr. Bianca Genel B. Bedio, Dean of the College of Nursing; Dr. Rosalia L. Briones, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Technology; Dr. Eliza V. Gamusa, Dean of the Graduate School; Dr. Getulio A. Barcenas Jr., Dean of NwSSU San Jorge Campus; and Mr. Redem D. Tingzon, Director of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) and head of the Project Development Unit. NwSSU representatives engaged in meetings with academic leaders of multiple Canadian institutions comprising Georgian College, Centennial College of Applied Arts and Technology, Sheridan College, the University of Guelph, Canadore College, and Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology. Discussions focused on faculty and student exchange programs, research collaborations, curriculum innovations, and other potential collaborative initiatives. As NwSSU expands its international linkages, the event served as a platform to explore transformative opportunities that will benefit its students, faculty, and researchers. With the university’s dedication to fostering connections with national and international institutions, these engagements mark a step toward meaningful collaborations that will enhance academic and professional growth for the NwSSU community.