Author: Joseph Renor Obrino

Wendell L. Ultra, a faculty member of the BS Agriculture program of NwSSU’s College of Agriculture and Technology, presented a research paper during the 2nd International Conference for Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) and Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) with the theme “Advancing Partnership in Climate Action for Sustainable Development in the ASEAN Region” at the Amari Don Muang Airport Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, on May 29–June 2, 2023. Ultra’s study, “Valorized Agricultural Wastes as Soil Amendments to Reduce Heavy Metal Accumulation in Rice,” highlights the importance of utilizing and recycling locally available agricultural wastes as a means to reduce the accumulation of heavy metals in crops that is rapidly accelerated by the effects of climate change. The said research is supported by DOST-PCAARRD and, together with the technical expertise of Balik-Scientist Fellow, Dr. Venecio U. Ultra Jr.The participation of the institution in the said conference also aims to create linkages and partnerships with other SUCs for possible collaboration on research projects in the future.

Baccalaureate Mass & Hooding Ceremonies of CEA, CAT, and CCJS this morning at the RSU Socio-Cultural Center.

Students from different colleges received accolades for academic excellence, loyalty, service, and other distinctions last May 23, 2023 at RSU- Socio Cultural Center.

Orientation & Workshop with the Regional Evaluation Committee (REC) & SUC Institutional Evaluation Committee (IEC) on the DBM-CHED Joint Circular No. 3, s.2022 (Guidelines on the Reclassification of Faculty Positions in SUCs) at Cebu Parklane International Hotel, Cebu City.

“Nalilipay gud ako nga nagkita kita!”- Gov. Sharee Ann T. TanSamar Gov. Sharee Ann T. Tan sat down with the university delegation led by University President Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo for a consultative meeting on how the provincial government, through the Office of the Governor, can support the university’s development plans. Among the agreed plans and commenced preparations are the Affirmative Action Plan of Educational Assistance to deserving students from the province’s poorest of the poor class, Extension Program on Agriculture Courses and Scholarship Program for Agriculture students, enrolment of provincial department heads and administrators to the Masters in Public Management program of the Special Academic Program, implementation of the SMART City program of DOST with NwSSU as Partner Academe, Free Review Program for the examinees of the Civil Service Examination, and board examinations for Criminology, Education, Engineering, and Nursing graduates, Free Dental Services Program through the University Health Center, and expediting the process of preparations for the opening of the Nursing program this coming new academic year. After the consultative meeting, both parties signed the Memorandum of Agreement for the establishment of the Purple Desk Program in NwSSU as one of the measures to promote the well-being of the people, especially the students in the university, by ensuring that mental health is valued, promoted, and protected through several intervention programs and activities. SIRAK Kabataan spearheads the contextualized sub-program for mental health called Purple Desk, which aims to provide efficient and effective mental health services to the university community in accordance with Section 15 of the Mental Health Act. The program will involve the training of university mental health trainers, advocates, and peer counselors and the establishment of a Purple Desk Center.

Meeting of Concerned Officials for the Distribution of Rice Assistance to NwSSU employees last May 18, 2023

The initial day of Surveillance Audit ensued. It started with the Opening Meeting at BDC, NwSSU. Context of the Organization, Control of Documented Information, Library Services, Guidance Services, Student Plants, Facilities, and Infrastructure Development Services, and Security Services were among the areas audited by the SOCOTEC Audit Team led by Ms. Marisse Cruz with her members, Mr. Mark Anthony Ilagan and Mr. Arcel Andres.

“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.