Author: Joseph Renor Obrino

Hanoi, Vietnam – October 31, 2025 — Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) marked another milestone in its international engagement by participating in the 13th Asia Technological University Network (ATU-Net) Board Meeting, hosted by Phenikaa University in Hanoi, Vietnam. Representing NwSSU were Dr. Iris B. Bejasa, Director of the International Affairs Office–Main Campus, and Mr. John M. Tan, Head of the International Affairs Office–San Jorge Campus. They attended on behalf of University President Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo, who was unable to join due to equally important administrative commitments. The ATU-Net Board Meeting convened university presidents, directors, and international affairs officials from member institutions across Asia to strengthen academic collaboration, deepen research partnerships, and broaden cross-border mobility programs. The annual gathering served as a forum for sharing forward-looking practices in higher education and for charting the consortium’s strategic direction for the coming year. The one-day event opened with a cultural immersion at Van Phuc Silk Village, a renowned Vietnamese craft community celebrated for its handwoven silk and centuries-old weaving traditions. The visit offered delegates a rich glimpse into Vietnam’s cultural heritage and creative industries, fostering mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding. This was followed by guided laboratory visits at Phenikaa University. Delegates toured key research hubs, including the Polymer-Composite Laboratory, Bioresources Research Center, and Environmental Chemistry & Ecotoxicology Laboratory (Tour 1), as well as the Applied Electro-Chemical Lab, Renewable Energy Conversion & Storage Laboratory, and Semiconductor & Advanced Materials Fabrication Laboratory (Tour 2). These visits showcased the university’s dedication to scientific advancement, sustainability, and practical learning environments. A brief stop at the university’s modern library capped the morning itinerary, followed by a shared lunch and musical performance at the campus cafeteria—an opportunity for cultural exchange and collegial fellowship. The formal Board Meeting began at 1:00 p.m., presided over by Professor Dr. Mohd Shafry bin Mohd Rahim, Chair of ATU-Net. Key agenda items included the 2025 ATU-Net Achievements, Financial Report, 2026 Strategic Plan and Budget Proposal. The meeting also tackled initiatives such as Scopus-indexed research collaborations, faculty and staff exchange programs, the development of an ATU-Net Mobility Portal, the rollout of Global Classroom initiatives, and the expansion of Articulation Programs among member universities. The event strengthened the shared commitment of ATU-Net institutions to foster internationalization, inclusive education, and academic innovation across Asia. For NwSSU, its active participation reflects a steadfast dedication to building global linkages, advancing academic excellence, and ensuring that its students and faculty thrive within a vibrant international academic community.

Calbayog City, Samar | The Times Higher Education (THE) Ranking Committee of Northwest Samar State University (NWSSU), chaired by Dr. Ramil S. Catamora, convened on November 6, 2025 to advance preparations for the university’s renewed participation in the THE Impact Rankings. The committee focused on the meticulous mining, validation, and finalization of data aligned with specific Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators. These efforts aim to ensure that each submission authentically reflects NWSSU’s initiatives, achievements, and measurable impact. Members also explored strategies for presenting and documenting data in ways that highlight the university’s strengths and reinforce its standing in the global academic community. Building on its successful inclusion in THE 2025, NWSSU is poised to reaffirm its commitment to excellence in higher education, sustainability, and societal transformation. Dr. Catamora extended his gratitude to the committee for their steadfast collaboration, noting that the shared effort embodies NWSSU’s vision of institutional visibility and global engagement.

In a collective effort to strengthen institutional readiness for the Philippine Quality Award (PQA) journey, the PQA Scoring Simulation and Evaluation Program was successfully conducted, bringing together  technical working group members, and quality assurance advocates in a focused simulation of the PQA assessment process. The program formally opened with the preliminaries, followed by a warm welcome message from Dr. Rhio C. Dimakiling, PQA Chairperson, who underscored the importance of aligning organizational systems with the PQA framework and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Gracing the session was Dr. Jay Barlan, Senior PQA Consultant, who served as the lead facilitator. Dr. Barlan guided participants through a series of interactive discussions and practical scoring exercises designed to simulate the actual PQA assessment process. The activity aimed to evaluate the team’s preparedness, strengthen consistency in interpretation and scoring, and ensure alignment in identifying key performance results across the seven PQA criteria categories. Participants engaged in consensus-building activities, individual scoring calibrations, and validation exercises to determine the university’s current bandwidth and indicative PQA score range. Through this simulation, the members were able to identify both strong performance areas and improvement opportunities, particularly in process maturity, results integration, and evidence-based documentation. Dr. Barlan emphasized that the PQA scoring simulation serves as both a diagnostic and developmental exercise helping the institution gauge its readiness level while reinforcing quality assurance principles in everyday operations. The outcomes of the simulation provided valuable insights into how the organization can attain the desired PQA bandwidth and move closer toward institutional excellence. The collaborative effort also reaffirmed the commitment of all units to sustain a performance driven culture anchored on the PQA Framework for Performance Excellence. As the session concluded, participants expressed renewed motivation to further enhance their processes, align documentation standards, and prepare for higher-level assessments in the upcoming PQA evaluation cycles.

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) strengthens its commitment to global excellence after actively participating in the Filipino Leaders in Advancing International Reputation (FLAIR) Masterclass – Eastern Visayas, Maanyag Class 2025. The intensive three-day seminar-workshop, held at Ironwood Hotel in Tacloban City, Leyte, was designed to bolster the global presence and competitiveness of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the region. NwSSU was proudly represented by a delegation focused on internationalization efforts. The representatives included Dr. Iris B. Bejasa, Director of the International Affairs Office; Mr. John M. Tan, Head of the International Affairs Office; and Mr. Philip Joseph Franco, Administrative Staff VI. The masterclass brought together State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs), and private HEIs from Eastern Visayas. The central focus was a deep dive into the “What, How, and Why” of major global benchmarks, specifically the Times Higher Education (THE) International Ranking and the World University Ranking for Innovations (WURI). ​The primary goal of the activity was to equip institutions in Region VIII with the capacity to align their current initiatives with global standards in teaching, research, and innovation. Participants received valuable insights, practical tools, and inspiration to effectively prepare and submit their ranking data. The workshop served as a strong motivation to accelerate internationalization efforts and forge stronger collaboration—ultimately gearing Eastern Visayas toward greater visibility and recognition in the international academic landscape. The primary goal of the activity was to equip institutions in Region VIII with the capacity to align their current initiatives with global standards in teaching, research, and innovation. Participants received valuable insights, practical tools, and inspiration to effectively prepare and submit their ranking data. The workshop served as a strong motivation to accelerate internationalization efforts and forge stronger collaboration—ultimately gearing Eastern Visayas toward greater visibility and recognition in the international academic landscape. ​The event featured a stellar lineup of A-1 Resource Speakers whose expertise greatly enriched the participants’ understanding of leadership, innovation, and internationalization in higher education. The speakers included Dr. Jimmy G. Catanes, Regional Director of CHED CAR; Dr. Sherry Junette Malaya-Tagle, President of Cordillera Career Development Center; Dr. Jonas P. Villas, Leyte Normal University Vice-President for Research, Innovation, and Extension; and Prof. Bryan C. Dayuta, Director for Linkages, International Office of Philippine Normal University. The knowledge gained from the FLAIR Masterclass is expected to have a significant and lasting impact on NwSSU’s strategic planning. By applying these international best practices, the university is poised to substantially improve its data collection, reporting methodologies, and overall quality of global engagement, ensuring NwSSU delivers world-class education and secures a higher standing in future global and innovation-focused university rankings.

On October 21, 2025, NWSSU participated in the Regional Consultation Workshop for the Mid-Term Review of the Public Financial Management (PFM) Reforms Roadmap 2024–2028, held in Bohol. The gathering convened representatives from government institutions across the Visayas to exchange insights on advancing fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability in public service. The event was spearheaded by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Representing NWSSU, Ms. Jonah L. Salcedo took part in the World Café session, where she offered thoughtful perspectives on strengthening capacity-building efforts for local implementers. She emphasized the importance of launching a Masterclass on PFM—one that transcends technical frameworks to include ethical foundations and moral leadership. Her contribution highlighted a compelling call for values-based governance, advocating for integrity and principled service as pillars of sustainable reform.

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) was recognized as a steadfast partner in innovation and enterprise development during the Samar MSME Convergence 2025: Digitalization, Innovation, and Growth, held on October 22, 2025, at the Samar Convention Center, Catbalogan City  The university, represented by Mr. Jake B. Calagos, Director of the Integrated Multimedia and Communications Office (IMCO), was among the key institutions honored for their significant contributions to local economic growth. ​Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)–Samar Provincial Office, the convergence brought together micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners, partner agencies, and development stakeholders. The event served as a crucial platform to discuss emerging trends, technologies, and strategies that are currently shaping Samar’s dynamic business landscape. The program kicked off with opening remarks from DTI–Samar Provincial Director Engr. Meilou Cinco-Macabare, followed by high-impact presentations about ​Trends in MSME Development: Local and Global by DTI Region VIII, ​Digitalization and AI Marketing Tools by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and ​Science and Innovation by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The afternoon sessions focused on strategic planning and inspiration. Mr. Joseph Gabuay of the Samar Technical Institute for Development Studies (STIDS) led an engaging forum on Shaping Samar 2026 Onwards, which was followed by the inspiring Success Stories of Samarnon MSMEs. The day concluded on a high note with an inspirational message from Samar Governor Hon. Sharee Ann Tan and the Night of Appreciation for MSME Champions. NwSSU proudly received a Plaque of Appreciation in recognition of its unwavering commitment to promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and strong industry-academe collaboration. ​This award symbolizes the university’s dedication to nurturing future entrepreneurs and directly supporting local economic progress through its impactful research, extension programs, and innovation-driven initiatives. ​Through this vital recognition, NwSSU significantly strengthens its partnership with DTI–Samar and other key agencies, actively working to build a thriving culture of innovation and enterprise development. This collaboration is essential in fostering a stronger, more resilient MSME community throughout the province.

Tamkang University, Taiwan — Representatives from Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) took part in the 11th Asia-Pacific Futures Network (APFN) Conference held on October 16–18, 2025, at Tamkang University, Taiwan. With the theme “AI + SDGs + ESG: Co-creating Ethical and Sustainable Futures,” the conference convened futurists, educators, and policymakers from across the region to explore anticipatory governance, AI ethics, and transformative foresight in education and governance. The NwSSU delegation led by Dr. Riz Rupert L. Ortiz, together with Dr. Catherine B. Rodriguez and Ms. Jonah L. Salcedo, joined global experts in workshops and dialogues on participatory futures, green universities, and futures literacy, advancing the university’s commitment to foresight-driven education and innovation. Among the key sessions were led by eminent futurists including Prof. Sohail Inayatullah, Dr. John Sweeney, and Dr. Jose Ramos, emphasizing the role of AI and futures thinking in shaping ethical, inclusive, and sustainable societies. NwSSU’s participation marks its continued engagement in futures-oriented discourse, strengthening its network in the global futures community and reaffirming its vision to integrate anticipatory leadership and futures literacy into institutional development, research, and academic practices.