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CALBAYOG CITY, SAMAR – Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) successfully concluded its Three-Day Orientation Program for New Entrants (OPEN) on February 27, 2026, at the University Board Room. Led by the Human Resource Development Office (HRDO) under the direction of Mrs. Jenith T. Salem, the initiative was designed to fully integrate four new faculty members—Mr. Justine Kyle A. Orquin, Ms. Ma. Christian Margarette Salomon, Mr. Aron E. Morales, and Mr. Charles Daryll A. Delmo—into the academic community. The program ensured that these new educators are equipped with a comprehensive understanding of university policies and services, enabling them to contribute effectively to the institution’s mission of quality education and community service. The first two days of the program established a critical foundation for the new hires. On February 25, the agenda focused on the university’s core identity, including its vision, mission, and professional ethics. Participants were briefed on research and extension services, human resource systems, and performance management rewards. The second day transitioned into operational standards, covering quality assurance and the University Quality Management System (QMS). New faculty members also received guidance on administrative procedures, such as travel request processes and leave policies, alongside academic standards focused on Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) to ensure a smooth transition into their teaching roles. The final day of OPEN featured an intensive series of sessions addressing the holistic aspects of working at NwSSU. Mrs. Toni Charm B. Calag, University Nurse III, opened the morning by detailing the medical and dental services available to employees, including emergency care and preventive health programs. This was followed by a discussion on gender sensitivity and mainstreaming led by Mrs. Ma. Gemma L. Tapel, Director for the Gender and Development (GAD) Office. Mrs. Tapel emphasized the university’s commitment to fostering an inclusive, harassment-free environment. Additionally, Dr. Leo Jesus M. Lacaba, President of the Faculty Association, explained the organization’s role in advocating for faculty welfare and professional representation. The afternoon sessions shifted toward institutional compliance and personal development. Dr. Ana Gretchen D. Tobe tackled the complexities of CHED’s CMO 63, s. 2017, providing specific guidelines on local off-campus activities to ensure student safety and institutional compliance. Mr. Jake B. Calagos, Director of Integrated Multimedia and Communications (IMCO), introduced the faculty to the university’s communication standards and the tools available for effective internal and external engagement. To conclude the instructional portion, Dr. Gil Leovigildo A. Ancheta delivered a session on financial literacy, sharing strategies for budgeting and resource allocation to support both the university’s fiscal sustainability and the faculty’s personal financial health. ​ Prior to the formal conclusion of the program, the four new faculty members engaged in an open forum with the speakers to clarify expectations regarding benefits and work policies. This was followed by a post-test activity to assess their mastery of the orientation content. During the closing ceremony, Mrs. Maria Jona V. Ty and Mrs. Salem led the distribution of certificates to the participants. Dr. Rhio C. Dimakiling, Vice President for Administration and Finance, joined virtually via Zoom to deliver the closing remarks, commending the new hires for their active engagement and encouraging them to consistently embody the university’s values of excellence and service. NwSSU emphasizes that OPEN is a foundational program tailored specifically for newly hired personnel, aiming to build a competent, informed workforce dedicated to delivering excellence in service, instruction, and research. In line with SDG 4: Quality Education, the initiative ensures that all new faculty are equipped to uphold standards for inclusive, equitable, and quality teaching, while aligning their work with global goals to expand access to quality higher education and enhance lifelong learning opportunities for all students. The orientation not only familiarizes employees with institutional systems but also strengthens their connection to the university’s vision of becoming a leading higher education institution in the region.

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) has reached a new benchmark in academic excellence, securing the 7th rank among universities in Region VIII for Scopus-indexed publications as of January 25, 2026. This milestone highlights the university’s aggressive push toward becoming a powerhouse of research and innovation in Eastern Visayas. ​The university has demonstrated a remarkable upward trajectory in its scholarly output according to the latest metrics from Elsevier’s Scopus database. In the opening month of 2026 alone, NwSSU produced 14 new publications, effectively raising its total document count to 56. This represents a significant 33% increase from the previous year’s total of 42, signaling a rapid acceleration in the institution’s research productivity. ​Scopus serves as the world’s leading multidisciplinary abstract and citation database, managed by Elsevier to provide a global yardstick for institutional quality in science, technology, and medicine. For NwSSU, an increase in these indexed documents directly translates to increased global visibility, as faculty research becomes accessible to international scholars. Furthermore, it enhances the university’s prestige and ensures that the work produced by its researchers has a higher potential for impact within the global scientific community. ​This achievement is based on validated data compiled by Don Prisno of Global Health Focus (GHF) University Excellence, emphasizing a significant shift in NwSSU’s institutional culture—moving beyond the classroom to contribute meaningful data to the global body of knowledge. As the university continues to provide resources and support for its faculty, this 7th-place ranking is viewed not just as a destination, but as a stepping stone toward further regional leadership in research and development. #RISENwSSU

Creativity and public service converged as Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU), through its BTLED Major in ICT students, conducted the “Kingkoy Chronicles: LGU Animated Info Series” outreach program in Tagapul-an, Samar, on December 12–13, 2025. This two-day activity was designed to strengthen the public information dissemination of the Local Government Unit (LGU) by utilizing the power of creative digital animation to reach the community more effectively. The first day of the program was held at Baquiw National High School and Tagapul-an National High School, where the focus was placed on orienting learners regarding the importance of animation as a modern communication tool. Participants were introduced to how animated content can simplify complex information, improve audience engagement, and significantly enhance the impact of LGU public information campaigns. This theoretical foundation was immediately followed by hands-on activities, in which learners applied basic animation skills to create their own digital outputs. The success of the outreach was made possible through the collaboration of local leaders and educators. The organizers extend their sincere appreciation to Hon. Vicente Jun M. Limpiado, Municipal Vice Mayor, and Mayor Princess Kate Limpiado for their warm welcome and the generous provision of accommodations and meals. Furthermore, gratitude is extended to Mr. Roy S. Atega, Mr. Jestoni R. Sajorda, and Mr. Ederick A. Dela Cruz for their invaluable coordination and hospitality. The program concluded by encouraging learners to view ICT skills as a tool for both personal growth and community development, reinforcing NwSSU’s commitment to service-learning.

The Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education (BTLED) Program of Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) took the lead in implementing the “Kingkoy Chronicles: Animated Info Series” during a TECH-LECTORS outreach activity held at Sta. Margarita National High School on December 17, 2025. This program underscored the BTLED Program’s commitment to translating technical knowledge into meaningful community service through the medium of creative digital animation. Designed and carried out by both students and faculty, the outreach centered on using animation as a strategic tool for enhancing Local Government Unit (LGU) information campaigns. Throughout the session, senior high school learners were introduced to basic animation principles and visual storytelling techniques through structured tutorials and hands-on activities. These lessons were specifically aimed at improving the clarity, engagement, and accessibility of public information. The activity featured an intensive tutorial followed by a production session where participants developed sample animated materials inspired by real-life LGU information needs. Learners eventually presented their outputs, successfully demonstrating how creative media can simplify complex governmental messages and make public information more relatable to a diverse audience. BTLED Program Chair Engr. Christy B. De Veyra emphasized the program’s advocacy for purposeful technology use, noting that the goal is to equip learners with practical ICT skills while showing them that digital animation is a powerful tool for public service. The outreach concluded with the awarding of tokens and certificates during a closing program that reinforced the importance of continuous learning and the responsible use of technology in the digital age. By leading this initiative, the BTLED Program reaffirmed its role in strengthening school-community partnerships and promoting innovative approaches to information dissemination. The organizers expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Michael Jude T. Casaljay, Municipal Information Officer, and Mr. Mark Anthony G. Domingo, Sangguniang Bayan Secretary of the Municipality of Sta. Margarita, for their generous support and donation of snacks. Their contribution significantly enhanced the comfort and positive learning experience of the participants, reflecting a strong collaboration between the local government and the academic community. Additionally, sincere appreciation was extended to Dr. Alvin A. Aguirre, the Secondary School Principal of Sta. Margarita National High School, whose unwavering support and cooperation were vital to the smooth implementation and overall success of the activity.

The Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) Administrative Division rounded out 2025 with a lively holiday celebration on December 20, bringing all administrative personnel together at the RSU Socio-Cultural Center for their annual Christmas Party. Following the theme “Rock the Track with Denims and Colors,” the venue came alive with celebratory holiday as personnel dressed in stylish denim attires with cheerful hues, matching the vibe of the event. Led by the Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance, the gathering was organized to mark the end of the year with camaraderie and joy.Spearheaded by Dr. Rhio C. Dimakiling, Vice President for Administration and Finance, the celebration was filled with fun activities that kept everyone engaged from start to finish. The program featured exciting raffle draws with special prizes, vibrant games and contests that ignited friendly competition, and a high-energy “track grind” session played by DJ Van Geras. Every moment was filled with enjoyment and cheer, creating memories as the team celebrated their collective achievements and welcomed the holiday season.

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) convened a deliberation meeting to finalize its institutional entries for the World University Innovative Ranking, consolidating 40 flagship programs aligned across 24 recognized categories. The meeting was presided over by the Officer-in-Charge Vice President for Academic Affairs, Mr. Niel Darryl Branzuela, and attended by designated focal persons representing each category. The deliberation aimed to validate program documentation, ensure alignment with global innovation indicators, and confirm the strategic positioning of NwSSU’s initiatives in relation to teaching innovation, research impact, sustainability, community engagement, and governance effectiveness. NwSSU’s participation underscores its commitment to benchmarking institutional performance against international standards, advancing a culture of innovation, and gaining global visibility for locally grounded solutions. By joining the ranking, the University seeks to objectively assess its competitiveness, identify areas for improvement, and affirm the relevance of its programs in addressing community and development challenges. The 40 programs demonstrate tangible impacts across instruction, research, extension, and innovation. These include technology-enabled learning initiatives, inclusive access to education, applied research responsive to regional needs, sustainable development projects, and partnerships that translate academic outputs into social and economic value. University officials emphasized that the exercise goes beyond compliance and recognition. It reflects NwSSU’s strategic direction to institutionalize innovation, scale high-impact programs, and position the University as a proactive contributor to national and global development agendas.

University President Dr. Benjamin Pecayo and FANwSSU Vice President Dr. Romeo B. Santos convened with key officials, heads of offices, and representatives to deliberate on the implementation of Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Budget Circular 2025-2 governing the grant of the Collective Negotiation Agreement (CNA) Incentive. During the meeting, it was affirmed that the University fully satisfied all prescribed conditions for the grant of the CNA Incentive, namely: the existence of a valid CNA, the achievement beyond established performance accomplishment targets, and the timely submission of required accountability reports. In line with DBM guidelines on the allowable amount, the University is set to release the assured CNA Incentive to eligible personnel not earlier December 15, 2025. The CNA Incentive may be granted to both management and rank-and-file employees of agencies with approved and successfully implemented CNAs, serving as recognition of collective efforts in meeting performance targets at lower cost and in advancing more efficient and sustainable operations through cost-cutting measures and systems improvement. This development underscores the University’s sustained commitment to performance excellence, accountability, and shared gains arising from effective labor-management cooperation.