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CALBAYOG CITY — Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), is set to establish a Shared Service Facility (SSF) for the NwSSU Digital Fabrication and Printing Production Center. University President Atty. Lorelie Fabillar-Tangaran and SSF Project Focal Person Mr. Jake B. Calagos signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Usufruct Agreement today, June 17, 2026, at the University Board Room. Also present in the activity was Ms. Aura Rose Tamor-Felices, NC-TIDS/SSF Coordinator from the DTI Samar Provincial Office. The signed documents will be forwarded to the DTI Region 8 and Central Offices for final execution by DTI officials. Funded through the Region 8 SSF Fund under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), the ₱13-million project successfully cleared evaluations by both Regional and National Technical Committees. Under the agreement, DTI will handle the procurement of state-of-the-art equipment, while NwSSU will provide the physical housing, manpower, and operational capital. ​The center will serve local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and students, offering accessible digital fabrication and printing services at minimal fees. By providing training and assisted equipment use, the facility aims to significantly boost Samar’s local creative economy. ​The facility is scheduled to launch in the final quarter of 2026.

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) once again proved its commitment to excellence as it received a Plaque of Commendation during the Gawad Parangal 2026 held on June 3, 2026, at the HRDC Gymnasium of Leyte Normal University (LNU), Tacloban City. The award recognized the University’s inclusion in the WURI 2026 Global Top 500 Innovative Universities, where NwSSU ranked 381st worldwide. The recognition reflects the institution’s continuing efforts in innovation, research, and quality higher education. Also recognized during the event was Areis Luaton Misperos from the College of Education of NwSSU for placing 10th in the September and November 2025 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT) – Secondary Level. The recognition highlighted the University’s commitment to academic excellence and its dedication to producing competent, resilient and globally competitive professionals. The awarding ceremony was part of CHED’s 32nd Founding Anniversary and 6th National Higher Education Day celebration carrying the theme, “ACHIEVE-ing Knowledge Economy Together for a Future-ready Bagong Pilipinas.” These achievements continue to inspire the NwSSU community in its pursuit of excellence in instruction, research, innovation, and public service. #ASCENDNwSSU

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) has successfully finalized its Strategic Futures Workshop: Futures Thinking Towards Sustainable Development Using the ACACIA Framework on May 21, 2026, at the Business Development Center. Spearheaded by the Research, Innovation, and Extension (RIE) Division through the Center for Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight and in partnership with the Philippine Futures Thinking Society (PhilFutures), the activity gathered the entire university officials to embed anticipatory governance and innovation in its systems, culminating in the development of HANDUM 2050: The Futures of NwSSU under the theme “WE BUILD WHAT STORMS CANNOT BREAK.” Day 2 followed on May 12, 2026, continuing online with participants deepening their understanding of strategic foresight processes and engaged in collaborative visioning facilitated by PhilFutures Fellow Ms. Jalaine Joyce V. Malabanan. The activities produced refined, shared aspirations that became core building blocks for HANDUM (Hingyap, Andam, Naton, Dungog, Ungod, Marig-on) 2050, equipping the institution with a forward-looking foundation to guide its development and community impact. Held onsite on May 20, 2026, Day 3 opened with messages from Senators Pia S. Cayetano and Win T. Gatchalian, CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis, Dr. Tirso Ronquillo, President of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), and PhilFutures’ Dr. Michville A. Rivera. Expert sessions included Dr. Bert J. Tuga’s analysis of trends in higher education, Dr. Michville A. Rivera’s discussion on the McKinsey 7S Framework, and workshops of Prof. Ramces M. Dili from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) on reimagining the university’s VMOKRAPI and scenario planning, strengthening participants’ strategic capabilities and shared commitment. On May 21, 2026, the fourth and final day centered on presenting drafted vision and mission outputs from various units and division for the Samar community. Dr. Ruperto S. Sangalang presented the PATRES framework and the unified planning architecture linking VMOKRAPI (Vision, Mission, Objectives, Key Result Areas, and Performance Indicators), SPATRES (Strategy, Programs, Activities, Tasks, Resources, Evaluation System), and PATRES (People, Academics, Technology, Research, Extension, and Stewardship), while Mr. Ramces M. Dili critiqued outputs using the ACACIA Framework, recognizing San Jorge Campus for meeting the “Samar test.” The four-day futures workshop successfully equipped NwSSU officials with essential foresight tools, methodologies, and a cohesive strategic direction. With HANDUM 2050 as its flagship output, the university now stands positioned as a future-ready institution, fully prepared to drive sustainable development, transformative education, and responsive governance across Samar for decades to come.

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) Grounds came alive with nationalism on May 25, 2026, as the university held its final Flag Raising Ceremony for the month of May. Led by the College of Criminal Justice and Sciences (CCJS), the activity brought together faculty members, students, teaching and non-teaching personnel in unity with respect and pride. Dressed in their respective uniforms and office attire, the NwSSU community stands in formation while renewing their commitment to the university and the country. The ceremony served not only as a weekly tradition but also as a fitting conclusion to the month’s activities, strengthening values of unity, duty, and service to the institution while symbolizing hope and continued excellence as the university moves forward into the coming months.

𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐍𝐰𝐒𝐒𝐔 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬 The NwSSU announces the appointment of the new university key officials effective May 13, 2026: DR. ROMEO B. SANTOS – Vice President for Academic Affairs in concurrent capacity as Dean of the Graduate School DR. LEO JESUS M. LACABA – Vice President forAdministration and Finance DR. TEODORO A. AMATOSA, JR.Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Congratulations on your appointments!

MAY 12, 2026 — Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) successfully wrapped up the two-day Strategic Futures Workshop: Futures Thinking Towards Sustainable Development Using the ACACIA Framework via Zoom. Organized by the Research, Innovation, and Extension (RIE) Division through the Center for Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight (FTSF), and in partnership with the Philippine Futures Thinking Society (PhilFutures), the activity forms part of a broader series of capability-building initiatives. Attended by NwSSU key officials, deans, and heads of offices, this workshop aimed to institutionalize futures thinking and anticipatory governance within the institution, laying the groundwork for activities such as the Campus Futures Thinking Workshop and Research Caravan in collaboration with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Day 1 sessions featured Mr. Emmanuel De Guia, Resident Futurist of the Senate Committee on SDGs, Innovation, and Futures Thinking, who guided participants in shifting mindsets and rethinking assumptions about the future. Dr. Rupert S. Sangalang, Senior Fellow of PhilFutures, was also featured in the Day 1 sessions. He introduced the ACACIA Framework as a structured approach to align institutional identity, local values, and global development goals in crafting strategic plans. Meanwhile, Day 2 focused on deepening participants’ grasp of foresight methodologies and shaping the university’s envisioned future. The session began with an “Introduction to the Process of Strategic Foresight,” which broke down the systematic steps used to analyze trends, explore uncertainties, and prepare for long-term possibilities. ​The Day 2 session continued with “Future Possibilities: Ideate The Vision,” led by Ms. Jalaine Joyce V. Malabanan, Fellow at PhilFutures. She facilitated collaborative discussions and creative exercises, guiding participants to brainstorm, refine, and articulate shared aspirations—turning abstract ideas into concrete concepts that will serve as building blocks for the university’s long-term vision. ​Central to the entire initiative is defining the path toward Project HANDUM 2050: The Futures of NwSSU. Handum, a term widely used in the Hiligaynon and Waray-Samar dialects, translates to collective aspiration, shared vision, and purposeful imagination—values that serve as the philosophical foundation of the university’s futures initiative. With the conclusion of this workshop, the university now has a solid foundation to develop a comprehensive, inclusive, and forward-looking roadmap that will steer its growth, strengthen its community impact, and advance its contribution to sustainable development. ​This initiative equips NwSSU with the mindset and shared vision needed to navigate change confidently while ensuring that every plan and decision made every day aligns with the desired future it aims to build. #RISENwSSU

Northwest Samar State University (NWSSU) Research, Extension, and Innovation (RIE) Division, through the Center for Futures Thinking and Strategic Foresight (FTSF), officially opened Day 1 of the Strategic Futures Workshop: Futures Thinking Towards Sustainable Development Using the ACACIA Framework via Zoom today, May 11, 2026. This activity marked the start of a series of capability-building initiatives aligned with the university’s goal to embed futures thinking, anticipatory governance, and innovation-driven research into its core systems. Held in partnership with the Philippine Futures Thinking Society (PhilFutures), the workshop sets the stage for broader activities including Campus Futures Thinking Workshop and Research Caravan with the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. On behalf of NWSSU OIC President Dr. Gil Leovigildo A. Ancheta, CPA, CSEE, Mr. Redem D. Tingzon, Expanded Tertiary Education and Equivalency Program (ETEAEP) Director, delivered the opening remarks. He emphasized that the university’s move toward futures-oriented planning is a strategic step to ensure it remains relevant, responsive, and resilient amid a changing world. Adding weight to the event, welcome messages were shared through recorded videos from Senators Pia S. Cayetano and Win T. Gatchalian of the Senate of the Philippines. Both senators commended NwSSU’s leadership in adopting forward-looking approaches, noting that institutional foresight is key to advancing sustainable development goals nationwide. Dr. Tirso Ronquillo, President of the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC), also conveyed his full support via a recorded video, stating that such efforts set a benchmark for higher education institutions across the country. The technical sessions began with a compelling presentation titled Provocation and Reorienting the Institutional Mind, led by Mr. Emmanuel De Guia, Resident Futurist of the Senate Committee on SDGs, Innovation, and Futures Thinking, encouraged participants to question assumptions and imagine multiple possible futures for the university. This was followed by University Rootedness and ACACIA Framework for the Strategic Development Plan delivered by Dr. Rupert S. Sangalang, Senior Fellow of PhilFutures, who introduced the ACACIA Framework as a practical tool to structure foresight work, linking institutional identity, local culture, and global development goals to create meaningful, actionable strategies. At the heart of this whole undertaking is the flagship project HANDUM 2050: The Futures of NWSSU. Through this workshop and its activities, NwSSU aims to co-create a clear, inclusive, and forward-looking roadmap that will guide its growth, impact, and contribution to sustainable development over the coming years. Day 1 concluded with high engagement from participants, marking a promising start to the journey of turning shared dreams into tangible institutional action. #RISENwSSU