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CALBAYOG CITY, Samar – Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) has finalized a manual that sets the rules for its income-generating projects (IGPs). The Auxiliary Services and Business Affairs Office (ASBAO) led a four-day, closed-door write-shop from November 3 to 7, 2026 to validate the manual. ASBAO Director Rodolfo Corrales headed the effort in collaboration with the Project Development Office. Following the Higher Education Modernization Act (RA 8292) and the NwSSU Charter (RA 9719), the review and revision of the IGP manual aims for its immediate implementation to augment the university’s resources. Almost half of the income (40%) that will be generated from the IGPs will be used to support the university’s instruction, research, extension, and innovation activities, while around 30% is set to augment the university’s administrative operations.  The team reviewed whether a first-time proponent could follow the process from idea to approval, whether every peso could be traced from collection to deposit to distribution, and whether figures were consistent across chapters. Vague provisions were tightened, and conflicting chapters were reconciled. Under the manual, every Auxiliary Service and Special Project follows the same path: feasibility study, proposal, approval, then operation on a budget with collections deposited and reported. The manual also lets research, instruction and extension outputs become University-managed projects. These include products from faculty research, fee-based training and media services, and community-built products and services. Intellectual property is protected, and a feasibility check comes first. Projects involving indigenous communities or traditional knowledge require Free and Prior Informed Consent, and original beneficiaries must keep access to the service. The manual is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals on decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), quality education (SDG 4), industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), and partnerships (SDG 17). The ASBAO’s vision, as stated in the manual, is “an entrepreneurial NwSSU community that grows productive ventures” from instruction, research, extension and production, sustaining the University and Samar communities “from source to sea.”

Officials of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) inspected and tagged laboratory equipment of Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) on November 10, 2026. The equipment was procured through the Higher Education Development Fund (HEDF). The activity, led by CHED’s Higher Education Development Fund Staff (HEDFS), began at the NwSSU President’s Board Room, where University President Atty. Lorelie Fabillar-Tangaran, DM, received the delegation. The HEDFS team consisted of Rosanna B. Garcia, Administrative Officer V; Catherine M. Malapo, Administrative Assistant III; and Patrick James M. Arao, Project Technical Staff I. The team then proceeded to the laboratories for the physical inspection. They were accompanied by Dr. Teodoro A. Amatosa, Jr., Vice President for Research, Innovation, Extension, and External Affairs (RIEEA), and Dr. Leo Jesus M. Lacaba, Vice President for Administration and Finance. The inspection covered two HEDF-funded projects: the upgrading of the University’s engineering laboratories and the upgrading of the Technology, Engineering, Tourism and Hospitality Management laboratories at the Main Campus. Each item was verified against the University’s inventory report, which CHED had requested NwSSU to prepare in advance. The inspection is mandated under Chapter 10, Section 17 of the Government Accounting Manual, which requires that property and equipment acquired through grants to higher education institutions be inspected, tagged, and documented. CHED’s itinerary also included a focus group discussion with University stakeholders, forming part of the Commission’s efforts to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of HEDF-funded projects. This ensures that public funds invested in the University’s laboratories are accounted for and that the equipment is in use by engineering, technology, and hospitality management students who train on it daily.

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) students, faculty, and staff can now get professional mental health care at a discount through a four-year partnership with Dr. Liberty Monesit Medical Clinic. The University and the clinic formalized the partnership on November 3, 2026, through a ceremonial Memorandum of Agreement signing at the NwSSU President’s Board Room. University President Atty. Lorelie Fabillar-Tangaran, DM, and clinic proprietor Dr. Ofelia Amores Monesit, MD, signed the agreement. Under the agreement, members of the University community who are referred by NwSSU can access consultation, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment at the clinic, with a 25% discount on consultation fees. The clinic will also provide resource speakers for the University’s seminars, workshops, and other mental health activities. Both parties committed to comply with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (R.A. 10173) and to safeguard sensitive medical and mental health information. By lowering cost barriers and linking the community to licensed professionals, the partnership supports students’ and employees’ well-being, which in turn supports how well they learn and work.

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar — In a decisive move to revitalize the province’s agricultural landscape, the Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) solidified its role as a key institutional partner of the Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) of Samar during the two-day Samar Agro-Industrial Harmonization Workshop, held from October 22 to 23, 2026, at the Samar Convention Center. Led by the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist and the Office of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer, the workshop brought together regional stakeholders, academic experts, and policymakers to streamline development efforts for Samar’s high-value agro-industries: coconut, bamboo, ube, and high-value crops (HVC) such as chili. Harmonizing a Shared Vision For years, the development of Samar’s primary agricultural commodities has occurred in silos, with agencies tackling problems independently. However, the workshop showed that the challenges facing Samar’s farmers are shared across commodities. Data consolidated during the sessions revealed six recurring gaps that hold back the provincial agro-industry. These are limited planting materials and seed stock, ranging from expensive bamboo material, scarce ube seedlings, and senile coconut trees to a lack of chili seed stock; limited farmer capacity and extension support; vulnerability to climate impacts, including typhoons, droughts, pests, and diseases; fragmented production and weak institutional coordination; a lack of shared processing, postharvest, and logistics facilities; and weak market linkages that leave farmers at the mercy of volatile trading prices. Rather than addressing these barriers commodity by commodity, the workshop successfully grouped these gaps into six strategic convergence initiatives. By anchoring interventions across specific segments of the value chains—such as clustering ube processing, upgrading chili facilities, and establishing robust marketing networks for coconut and bamboo—the PLGU and its partner agencies can now deploy targeted solutions that uplift multiple farming sectors simultaneously. NwSSU at the Helm of Facilitation and Expertise As an institution deeply committed to community transformation, NwSSU sent a powerhouse team of educators and researchers to orchestrate the event and contribute technical foresight. Mr. Redem D. Tingzon, Director of the NwSSU External Affairs Office, steered the strategic direction of the sessions as the Lead Workshop Facilitator, working hand-in-hand with Provincial Planning Officer Mr. Joel Mancol. Their collaborative moderation allowed diverse agency representatives to find common ground and synthesize complex farm-level data into actionable government policies. Lending academic and scientific weight to the workshop was Dr. Jessie Sabijon, Dean of the College of Agriculture & Forestry at the NwSSU San Jorge Campus. Serving as a Small Group Facilitator, Dr. Sabijon acted as the resident expert contributor for Ube Research & Development (R&D). His insights highlighted how academe-driven crop technology can directly mitigate the planting material scarcity that currently limits local ube growers. Assisting throughout the rigorous two-day convergence were personnel from the NwSSU Project Development Office, who served as official documenters, meticulously capturing the baseline findings that will shape Samar’s next comprehensive agro-industrial master plan. Empowering the Samarnon Farmer Samar’s smallholder farmers stand to benefit most from this partnership. By addressing systemic weaknesses like funding access and farm mechanization (gaps highlighted for bamboo, coconut, and ube), the convergence framework aims to move farmers toward more competitive agro-enterprise. When farmers are equipped with high-yield seed stocks, resilient farming practices, and shared processing facilities, their post-harvest losses drop, and their profit margins rise. Sustainable market linkages ensure that the sweat and labor poured into Samar’s soil translate into stable, premium household incomes. Shaping Samar’s Economic Future The collaboration between NwSSU and PLGU-Samar marks a shift in the province’s approach to agro-industry. By moving away from fragmented initiatives and embracing a synchronized value-chain approach, Samar positions itself as an emerging agro-industrial hub in the Eastern Visayas region. Through localized research, extension services, and policy facilitation, NwSSU continues to contribute to the province’s economic development. As this harmonized blueprint rolls out, the university and the provincial government stand united in building a resilient, food-secure, and economically vibrant Samar.

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) strengthened its commitment to community resilience and disaster preparedness as it hosted the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for an orientation on the Philippine Community Resilience Project (PCRP) on October 6, 2026, at the University Hotel Function Room. Organized by the Center for Local Governance and the University Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Office in partnership with DSWD, the activity brought together university officials, academic representatives, extension personnel, and DRRM focal persons to explore opportunities for collaboration in disaster risk reduction, sustainable livelihoods, and community-driven development. The orientation featured discussions on the DSWD’s KALAHI-CIDSS program, disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM), and Sustainable Livelihood Program. Ms. Susana F. Urmeneta, Team Leader of DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS, together with Francis C. Batula and Jinky Rose A. Merino and Maria Christina L. Manicani of DSWD, shared insights on community-driven initiatives that promote preparedness, sustainable livelihoods, and resilience among vulnerable communities. The discussions centered on the Panahon ng Pagkilos: Philippine Community Resilience Project, a national initiative designed to help communities address disaster risks, environmental challenges, and economic shocks through participatory development and locally driven solutions. The orientation also provided an avenue for university representatives to explore how NwSSU’s academic programs, research initiatives, and extension services can contribute to community-based resilience efforts. The activity concluded with a shared commitment to strengthening inter-agency collaboration and translating the insights gained into initiatives that support disaster preparedness, sustainable development, and safer, more resilient communities. Through partnerships with national agencies and local stakeholders, NwSSU continues to advance its A.S.C.E.N.D. commitment to responsive education, meaningful extension services, and inclusive community development.

NwSSU strengthened its international academic presence as Dr. Donald M. Patimo, Professor 5 of the College of Management, represented the University at the International Visiting Professor Program (IVPP) at Parul University in Vadodara, Gujarat, India, from September 1 to 25, 2026. Dr. Patimo joined 26 delegates from 15 countries in the international program, which brought together academics for teaching, research, and cross-border academic exchange. Parul University is the youngest university in India to receive an “A++ accreditation grade” from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). As part of the program, Dr. Patimo was hosted by the Parul Institute of Management Studies, where he delivered 32 hours of instruction in Project Management and Data Analytics to selected Master of Business Administration (MBA) students. He also participated in eight hours of research meetings with Parul University faculty to explore potential collaborations in joint research projects and publications. For Dr. Patimo, the experience extended beyond academic and research engagements. His immersion in Indian culture and interaction with academics from different countries offered new perspectives on teaching, collaboration, and the role of cultural understanding in international education. The experience further reinforced the value of stepping beyond familiar academic environments to learn from different perspectives and bring those insights back to the University. Dr. Patimo’s participation in the IVPP highlights NwSSU’s continuing commitment to internationalization, faculty development, academic mobility, and global research collaboration, providing its faculty with opportunities to share expertise and build partnerships beyond the Philippines.   Photo Courtesy: Parul University

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) brought its teaching and non-teaching staff together for a three-day In-Service Training from September 9 to 11, 2026, at Villa Cruz Resort, San Roque, Northern Samar. The training opened with a GCash orientation led by Mr. Amed Macabit, who introduced the platform’s features for faster, easier, safer, and cashless transactions for university services and personal errands. He shared that NwSSU is now one of the first State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in Region 8, along with Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU), to partner with GCash, in line with the government’s vision to build a more digital Philippine nation under Executive Order 170. Mr. Macabit noted that the University’s own GCash QR code will be launched soon, enabling students to pay for services through GCash and supporting the disbursement of student subsidies, scholarship allowances, and personnel funds through an NwSSU institutional wallet with real-time reporting and monitoring. NwSSU constituents will also receive a free GCash card once launched. University President Atty. Lorelie Fabillar-Tangaran, DM, delivered a message and institutional updates centered on the “N” in the University’s ASCEND Framework — nurturing human resources. She emphasized the need to upskill in the age of AI to provide better, transformative, and globally competitive education, noting that competitiveness also means being relevant and responsive. She underscored that AI should be treated as a tool, not a replacement, calling for assessments and methods to be realigned to develop students’ critical thinking, alongside policies and guidelines that evolve with the times. She announced that the University’s new vision and mission statements will be launched soon, geared toward digital transformation — beginning with an assessment of processes that could be digitalized or automated, the establishment of a centralized digital platform, and updates to university manuals and the university code. She also called for stronger safety and security measures through preventive and proactive steps, guided by the ASCEND and ACHIEVE frameworks, and asked for the community’s support in performing their duties toward the University’s institutional targets. Dr. Teodoro A. Amatosa, Jr., Vice President for RIEEA, presented the Source-to-Sea Framework, anchored on NwSSU’s geographic and academic mandate along the ecological continuum of Samar, with focus areas in agriculture, forestry, natural resources, maritime affairs, fisheries, and advanced technologies. He identified gaps in infrastructure, leadership, and siloed academic operations, and outlined plans to streamline internal procurement systems, activate grant support and mentoring mechanisms, and create incentives for research productivity, envisioning NwSSU as a Research-Led University delivering on its mandate of Resilience, Integrity, Service, and Excellence. He also introduced the Triple Helix Ecosystem as the University’s guiding model for innovation and development programs, with NwSSU set to develop its own research and extension agenda harmonized with stakeholders and national R&D frameworks. Dr. Archie B. Lauderes, Director of Extension Services, discussed the DBM Joint Circular guidelines on faculty reclassification, common areas where faculty applications fall short, and ways to address them moving forward, alongside updated procedures under the revised Extension Manual. Mr. LJ A. Magnaye, Director of Research Services, guided participants on structuring research papers for publication, from establishing a clear research gap to presenting a solution, emphasizing clarity and simplicity over jargon. He also shared how AI tools can support research writing, literature review, and presentation, and walked participants through selecting appropriate journals based on scope, reach, indexing, metrics, article processing charges, peer review process, and turnaround and acceptance rates. He cautioned participants against predatory journals, citing red flags such as unusually rapid reviews or acceptance rates, hidden fees, fabricated editorial boards, and clone journals that falsely use the logos and names of legitimate organizations. Day 2 highlighted a keynote lecture on artificial intelligence in education, “From Prompt to Pedagogy: AI-Enabled Teaching, Learning & Assessment for the Future – Ready Educator,” delivered by resource speaker Dr. Las Johansen Caluza. The afternoon session covered key policy and compliance topics, including a talk on nihilistic violent extremism by PLtCol. Alden E. Dugan, the University’s gambling prohibition policy, an orientation on student off-campus requirements, and international travel guidelines, alongside updates on quality assurance and procurement processes for SUCs. The training concluded on September 11 with team building activities for the NwSSU teaching and non-teaching staff, capping a program designed to strengthen the knowledge, skills, and institutional alignment of the University’s workforce as NwSSU continues to advance its commitment to service, integrity, and excellence.     For more photos, view the full album here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/183EDbCmAGwXA4gNZ66bNb46kXNs2r9pt?usp=sharing

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar — Civil and mechanical engineers in Eastern Visayas may soon have greater access to flexible, industry-responsive learning opportunities as Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) and Mapúa University move toward a collaboration on upskilling programs and micro-credentials. The proposed initiative is envisioned to provide engineers with more accessible pathways to strengthen their competencies while continuing their careers and professional responsibilities. Through online, face-to-face, or blended learning modalities, the planned programs seek to respond to the evolving needs of engineers and the industries and communities they serve. Flexible learning opportunities can help reduce geographic and logistical barriers that may prevent professionals from participating in specialized training programs traditionally concentrated in major urban centers. Micro-credentials can provide professionals with focused opportunities to develop specific competencies without necessarily having to enroll in lengthy academic programs. The planned offerings may also provide opportunities for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit, giving practicing engineers additional avenues to pursue professional growth and maintain relevant competencies. On September 1, representatives from NwSSU (Engr. Teodoro Amatosa Jr.) and Mapúa University (Engr. Eira Camus) met to review and refine the proposed Collaboration Agreement in preparation for its implementation. The Collaboration Agreement is targeted for completion within September, with the first possible program delivery eyed for February 2027. Initial offerings are expected to focus on civil and mechanical engineering professionals in Region VIII, with the potential for the programs to eventually reach professionals in other parts of the country. The potential benefits also extend to employers and other stakeholders. since engineering practice continues to evolve alongside emerging technologies, digitalization, sustainability requirements, advanced construction methods, automation, and changing industry standards.  A workforce equipped with current and specialized skills can help organizations adapt to technological developments, changing standards, and emerging demands in the engineering sector. For government agencies, private companies, and other organizations involved in infrastructure and development, stronger professional capacity can contribute to improved planning, design, implementation, and management of projects and services.   At the community level, the initiative could contribute to strengthening the capacity of professionals who play vital roles in infrastructure development, disaster resilience, transportation, water systems, energy, manufacturing, and other areas essential to regional growth. The proposed collaboration therefore goes beyond providing additional training options. It reflects an effort to make lifelong learning more accessible, flexible, and responsive to the realities of professionals in the region. As NwSSU continues to strengthen its role in advancing professional development and serving the needs of its communities, initiatives such as this can help create stronger connections between higher education, industry, and the workforce.