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Pursuant to National Budget Memorandum Circular No. 154, NwSSU like other agencies conducted Civil Society Organization Consultation which was participated by students, alumni, teaching, non-teaching and private sectors, and other external agencies such as Department of Education, Calbayog City Water District Inc., and City Environment and Natural Resources Office last December 7, 2023 at Business Development Center, NwSSU.  The consultation aims to solicit comments and recommendations from NwSSU’s stakeholders which are grounded with the intention of helping the university in achieving the university’s goals, mandates, and directions; and to forge the Budget Partnership Agreement.

The NwSSU research and extension team through the Office of the Extension Services conducted an immersion on the successful ecotourism organizations on December 2-4, 2023 at the home of the world’s renowned new seven wonders of nature, the Puerto Princesa, Palawan. It’s the place of the most protected areas and different community-based ecotourism organizations in the Philippines. The team discussed with different organizations, such as the Sabang Mangrove Paddle Boat Tour Guide Association Inc., Community Park Warden Association (CPWA), Tagbinet Ugong Rock Multipurpose Cooperative (TURMPC), Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) and the Honda Bay Boat Owners Association Inc. (HOBBAI). This activity aimed to capture the adherence of the members of the organization to the highest standards of sustainability, cultural sensitivity, and community empowerment. Their stories were invaluable in community-based ecotourism development, incorporated with best practices, innovative strategies, and effective methodologies that are aligned with international standards.

The Association of Universities in Asia and the Pacific (AUAP) in cooperation with Surabaya University, Surabaya, Indonesia holds the online Summer Program “Chat GPT, Artificial Intelligence & Metaverse for our Daily Life” from November 27 – December 1, 2023. Sixty (60) students and two (2) faculty members from NwSSU engaged in the event learn how to utilize AI, Chat GPT, and Metaverse which are massively used nowadays. The program combines academic webinar classes and practical classes with non-academic Indonesian language and virtual tours.

Fulbright Philippines visited the Office of International Affairs- NwSSU for scholarship program, November 23. Fulbright Philippines was represented by Ms. Joanne Fajardo, Program Officer, Mr. Justin Dominique Rupido, Program Assistant, and Ms. Andrea Faye Mendoza, Fullbright scholar. Present in the discussion were Dr. Iris Bejasa, Director of International Affairs, Dr. Lorelie Tangaran, Dean of College of Agriculture and Technology, Ar. Vanessa Ayllon, faculty of College of Engineering and Architecture, and Mr. Jake Calagos, Print Media Staff.  The said Philippine-American Educational Foundation offers international educational and cultural exchange program for students and young professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, and university teaching worldwide.

Ms. Jonah Salcedo, University Planning Officer and one of the participants in the QS Higher Education Summit in Malaysia actively engaged during the panel discussion in AI: Reshaping Education’s Future Norms as part of the summit’s second day on November 8. In the discourse, Salcedo queried on the credibility of information generated by AI. Another highlights of Day 2 were panel discussions on specific topics in talent building and industrial evolution, experts focus forum, and business school forum to which NwSSU delegates enthusiastically participated.

Setting in the international stage and with more than 100 universities serving as witnesses, Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo- the University President formally received the 3-Star University accolade at QS Higher Education Summit: Asia Pacific in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, November 7. Based on eight evaluation criteria and a score ranging from 0 to 5 stars, the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World Ranking is an assessment method that concentrates on higher education institutions’ operational and educational performance in accordance with internationally recognized standards. Last August 30, 2023, the NwSSU management has completed its evaluation and was rated with star performance ratings in the following categories: Teaching (5 stars), Inclusiveness (5 stars), Academic Development (4 stars), Employability (4 stars), Facilities (4 stars), Specialist Criteria – Education & Training (3 stars), and Social Responsibility (3 stars), with an overall 3-Star rating.

Jam-packed with quality pursuits, the NwSSU delegates led by Dr. Benjamin Pecayo participated in the following activities: Expert Focus Forum, Opening Panel on Higher Education in APAC: Defining and Measuring Success, Panel Discussion on Quality and Quantity: Refining and Improving International Student Enrolment, Keynote on the Role of Universities in Nurturing and Preparing Talent for Future Work, and Open Research on Strategies to Maximize and Safeguard the Value and Trust in Research, November 7.

NwSSU delegation led by University President, Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo attends the first day of the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Higher Education Summit: Asia Pacific 2023 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia. The representatives are also set to accept NwSSU’s recognition for being rated 3 stars by the QS Intelligence Unit.The summit with the theme, “Creating the Right Outcomes: Universities and the Future of Work in the Asia Pacific” runs until November 9 and delves into the pivotal role of universities in shaping the future of work in the dynamic Asia Pacific region.