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Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) took a decisive step toward academic excellence as top administrators and teaching and non-teaching personnel gathered for a two-day Strategic Revision of the University Research and Extension Manual on November 12-13, 2025, at the College of Computer and Information Sciences (CCIS) Multimedia Room. Led by Dr. Riz Rupert L. Ortiz, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension, the workshop brought together stakeholders to refine policies, rationalize processes, and connect the manual with the university’s progressing vision for industry impact and innovation. The event commenced with a warm welcome from Dr. Ortiz, who emphasized the critical role of research and extension in NwSSU’s mission. Dr. Joseph Emil A. David, Director for Research and Development Services, then spearheaded the program overview, setting the room for intensive breakout sessions. Throughout the day, participants engaged in lively discussions, assessing existing protocols and analyzing revisions. The day 1 concluded with an open forum, where participants shared status updates and challenges, fostering transparency and collective problem-solving. The continuation of the event happened in the second day witnessing transformative presentations as participants presented revised guidelines and policy outputs. Dr. Catherine B. Rodriguez, Director for Extension Services and as the Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of Dr. Riz Rupert L. Ortiz for the day, delivered the closing remarks, urging the participants’ dedication and sustained collaboration. As the event put to an end, the event culminated with the playing of the NwSSU Hymn through an audio-visual presentation, symbolizing pride in the institution’s mission. This strategic workshop aimed to upgrade NwSSU’s research and extension frameworks, ensuring they meet global standards and local community needs. By consolidating the manual with current academic trends and institutional goals, the university strengthens its commitment to fostering innovation, ethical research, and innovative extension programs. The collaborative revisions are expected to pave the way for improved workflows, enhanced faculty support, and greater societal and global impact.

A comprehensive two-day training designed to strengthen research and development (R&D) capabilities concluded on October 28, 2025, equipping participants with essential skills in proposal preparation, evaluation criteria, and the use of national project management information systems. The program ran from October 27 to 28, 2025, at Leyte Normal University (LNU).  Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) was represented by Dr. Joseph Emil A. David, Director for Research & Development Services; Dr. Eugene C. Calumba, UDRRM Director; and Engr. Erwin Miano, Director for the Center of Research for Future Building Materials and Structures.  The opening day began with preliminaries. Dr. Gil Necitas B. Villarino, University President of LNU and Board Member of EVCIEERD, delivered the welcome remarks. This was followed by Dr. Danilo B. Pulma, VPRIES of EVSU and TWG Chair of EVCIEERD, who presented the rationale of the activity.   Learning modules were facilitated by Mr. Ruel A. Pili, Regional Consortia Coordinator for DOST-PCIEERD. He covered Modules 1–4, which outlined the roles and responsibilities of the R&D Committee and introduced the fundamentals of research and development. Module 5 focused on R&D preparation, emphasizing requirements for workplans and LIBs, while Module 6 tackled evaluation criteria through the use of the Evaluation Matrix.  The afternoon featured hands-on workshops, group evaluations of proposals, and an open consultation forum, fostering collaboration and practical application of the day’s lessons.  The second day opened with a reflection on the previous sessions. Mr. Pili returned to deliver Module 7, highlighting common deficiencies in research proposals. Participants then engaged in another round of workshops and group presentations. A major highlight was the Orientation on Proposal Submission, where Mr. Pili provided detailed guidance on navigating the DOST Project Management Information System (DPMIS) and the PCIEERD Management Information System (PMIS).  The program concluded with group takeaways, the awarding of certificates to resource persons and participants, and closing remarks delivered by Dr. Eugene C. Calumba, UDRRM Director of NwSSU and TWG Member of EVCIEERD.  This immersive program is expected to raise the quality and success rate of research proposals across the consortium and its member institutions. By addressing common pitfalls, standardizing evaluation practices, and ensuring mastery of digital submission systems, the training aimed to produce proposals that are not only innovative but also compliant, streamlined, and ready for approval and funding by agencies such as DOST-PCIEERD.

Hanoi, Vietnam – October 31, 2025 — Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) marked another milestone in its international engagement by participating in the 13th Asia Technological University Network (ATU-Net) Board Meeting, hosted by Phenikaa University in Hanoi, Vietnam. Representing NwSSU were Dr. Iris B. Bejasa, Director of the International Affairs Office–Main Campus, and Mr. John M. Tan, Head of the International Affairs Office–San Jorge Campus. They attended on behalf of University President Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo, who was unable to join due to equally important administrative commitments. The ATU-Net Board Meeting convened university presidents, directors, and international affairs officials from member institutions across Asia to strengthen academic collaboration, deepen research partnerships, and broaden cross-border mobility programs. The annual gathering served as a forum for sharing forward-looking practices in higher education and for charting the consortium’s strategic direction for the coming year. The one-day event opened with a cultural immersion at Van Phuc Silk Village, a renowned Vietnamese craft community celebrated for its handwoven silk and centuries-old weaving traditions. The visit offered delegates a rich glimpse into Vietnam’s cultural heritage and creative industries, fostering mutual appreciation and cross-cultural understanding. This was followed by guided laboratory visits at Phenikaa University. Delegates toured key research hubs, including the Polymer-Composite Laboratory, Bioresources Research Center, and Environmental Chemistry & Ecotoxicology Laboratory (Tour 1), as well as the Applied Electro-Chemical Lab, Renewable Energy Conversion & Storage Laboratory, and Semiconductor & Advanced Materials Fabrication Laboratory (Tour 2). These visits showcased the university’s dedication to scientific advancement, sustainability, and practical learning environments. A brief stop at the university’s modern library capped the morning itinerary, followed by a shared lunch and musical performance at the campus cafeteria—an opportunity for cultural exchange and collegial fellowship. The formal Board Meeting began at 1:00 p.m., presided over by Professor Dr. Mohd Shafry bin Mohd Rahim, Chair of ATU-Net. Key agenda items included the 2025 ATU-Net Achievements, Financial Report, 2026 Strategic Plan and Budget Proposal. The meeting also tackled initiatives such as Scopus-indexed research collaborations, faculty and staff exchange programs, the development of an ATU-Net Mobility Portal, the rollout of Global Classroom initiatives, and the expansion of Articulation Programs among member universities. The event strengthened the shared commitment of ATU-Net institutions to foster internationalization, inclusive education, and academic innovation across Asia. For NwSSU, its active participation reflects a steadfast dedication to building global linkages, advancing academic excellence, and ensuring that its students and faculty thrive within a vibrant international academic community.

Calbayog City, Samar | The Times Higher Education (THE) Ranking Committee of Northwest Samar State University (NWSSU), chaired by Dr. Ramil S. Catamora, convened on November 6, 2025 to advance preparations for the university’s renewed participation in the THE Impact Rankings. The committee focused on the meticulous mining, validation, and finalization of data aligned with specific Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicators. These efforts aim to ensure that each submission authentically reflects NWSSU’s initiatives, achievements, and measurable impact. Members also explored strategies for presenting and documenting data in ways that highlight the university’s strengths and reinforce its standing in the global academic community. Building on its successful inclusion in THE 2025, NWSSU is poised to reaffirm its commitment to excellence in higher education, sustainability, and societal transformation. Dr. Catamora extended his gratitude to the committee for their steadfast collaboration, noting that the shared effort embodies NWSSU’s vision of institutional visibility and global engagement.

In a collective effort to strengthen institutional readiness for the Philippine Quality Award (PQA) journey, the PQA Scoring Simulation and Evaluation Program was successfully conducted, bringing together  technical working group members, and quality assurance advocates in a focused simulation of the PQA assessment process. The program formally opened with the preliminaries, followed by a warm welcome message from Dr. Rhio C. Dimakiling, PQA Chairperson, who underscored the importance of aligning organizational systems with the PQA framework and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Gracing the session was Dr. Jay Barlan, Senior PQA Consultant, who served as the lead facilitator. Dr. Barlan guided participants through a series of interactive discussions and practical scoring exercises designed to simulate the actual PQA assessment process. The activity aimed to evaluate the team’s preparedness, strengthen consistency in interpretation and scoring, and ensure alignment in identifying key performance results across the seven PQA criteria categories. Participants engaged in consensus-building activities, individual scoring calibrations, and validation exercises to determine the university’s current bandwidth and indicative PQA score range. Through this simulation, the members were able to identify both strong performance areas and improvement opportunities, particularly in process maturity, results integration, and evidence-based documentation. Dr. Barlan emphasized that the PQA scoring simulation serves as both a diagnostic and developmental exercise helping the institution gauge its readiness level while reinforcing quality assurance principles in everyday operations. The outcomes of the simulation provided valuable insights into how the organization can attain the desired PQA bandwidth and move closer toward institutional excellence. The collaborative effort also reaffirmed the commitment of all units to sustain a performance driven culture anchored on the PQA Framework for Performance Excellence. As the session concluded, participants expressed renewed motivation to further enhance their processes, align documentation standards, and prepare for higher-level assessments in the upcoming PQA evaluation cycles.

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) was recognized as a steadfast partner in innovation and enterprise development during the Samar MSME Convergence 2025: Digitalization, Innovation, and Growth, held on October 22, 2025, at the Samar Convention Center, Catbalogan City  The university, represented by Mr. Jake B. Calagos, Director of the Integrated Multimedia and Communications Office (IMCO), was among the key institutions honored for their significant contributions to local economic growth. ​Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)–Samar Provincial Office, the convergence brought together micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners, partner agencies, and development stakeholders. The event served as a crucial platform to discuss emerging trends, technologies, and strategies that are currently shaping Samar’s dynamic business landscape. The program kicked off with opening remarks from DTI–Samar Provincial Director Engr. Meilou Cinco-Macabare, followed by high-impact presentations about ​Trends in MSME Development: Local and Global by DTI Region VIII, ​Digitalization and AI Marketing Tools by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and ​Science and Innovation by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The afternoon sessions focused on strategic planning and inspiration. Mr. Joseph Gabuay of the Samar Technical Institute for Development Studies (STIDS) led an engaging forum on Shaping Samar 2026 Onwards, which was followed by the inspiring Success Stories of Samarnon MSMEs. The day concluded on a high note with an inspirational message from Samar Governor Hon. Sharee Ann Tan and the Night of Appreciation for MSME Champions. NwSSU proudly received a Plaque of Appreciation in recognition of its unwavering commitment to promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and strong industry-academe collaboration. ​This award symbolizes the university’s dedication to nurturing future entrepreneurs and directly supporting local economic progress through its impactful research, extension programs, and innovation-driven initiatives. ​Through this vital recognition, NwSSU significantly strengthens its partnership with DTI–Samar and other key agencies, actively working to build a thriving culture of innovation and enterprise development. This collaboration is essential in fostering a stronger, more resilient MSME community throughout the province.

The Planning and Development Services Office (PDSO), led by Dr. Gil Leovigildo A. Ancheta, convened a strategic meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at the University President’s Board Room to deliberate on key matters concerning proposed projects under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) Tier II for Fiscal Year 2027. Co-chaired by Ms. Jonah L. Salcedo, the meeting brought together members of the Planning Unit, Project Development Unit, and Infrastructure and Project Management Unit, headed respectively by Engr. Marlon D. Sobreviga and Mr. Redem D. Tingzon. The assembly focused on reviewing the status of the call for project proposals, assessing the implementation readiness of submissions, and conducting a technical evaluation of proposed initiatives. Discussions also covered preparations for the upcoming consultative assembly and other relevant concerns to ensure that project priorities remain aligned with institutional goals and national development directives. The meeting reinforced PDSO’s commitment to strategic planning, evidence-based decision-making, and collaborative project development in support of the university’s pursuit of sustainable growth and institutional excellence. Through cross-unit coordination and focused deliberations, the office continues to play a pivotal role in ensuring that proposed projects are responsive, feasible, and aligned with fiscal guidelines and developmental priorities.

Board of Regents Greenlights NwSSU Student Dormitory Manual: A Milestone for Student Welfare and Governance We are proud to announce that the Board of Regents has officially approved the NwSSU Dormitory Manual! This landmark approval marks more than a policy milestone—it affirms our commitment to cultivating safe, inclusive, and growth-oriented residential spaces for our students. With clear guidelines on residential life, community standards, and welfare mechanisms, the manual offers a structured framework that protects student well-being while fostering a supportive environment for academic and personal development. Spearheaded by Vice President for Administration and Finance, Dr. Rhio C. Dimakiling, and shaped through the collaborative efforts of various offices, college representatives, and student leaders, the manual reflects a shared vision rooted in institutional governance and responsiveness to student needs.While future enhancements may continue to refine its provisions, today we celebrate a pivotal step in strengthening dormitory operations. Our heartfelt gratitude goes to everyone who contributed to this initiative. Together, we are shaping a safer, more student-centered NwSSU. #RISENwSSU

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) and the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Calbayog formally strengthened their collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on August 15, 2025, at the NwSSU Business Development Center. The agreement centers on the Flood Guard Calbayog initiative, a system designed to deliver accurate and dependable flood risk maps using Automated Weather Station (AWS) precipitation and weather data. The partnership outlines NwSSU’s commitment to ensure the system’s reliability, provide technical assistance, conduct training for LGU personnel, and share relevant data in compliance with privacy and security regulations. Meanwhile, the LGU commits to integrating the flood risk maps into disaster risk reduction plans, assigning trained personnel, and ensuring the responsible use of shared data. Present during the signing were Hon. Raymund C. Uy, City Mayor of Calbayog; Dr. Benjamin L. Pecayo, NwSSU President; Mr. Augusto L. Magdaraog, City Administrator; Dr. Riz Rupert L. Ortiz, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension; and Dr. Sandro Daguman, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer. Their presence underscored the shared commitment of both institutions to building a more resilient community.