Youth group condemns solon’s jingoistic remarks

WITH the recent addition of University of Santo Tomas (UST) and the United States’ Duke University, Canvas—the learning management system of by global educational-technology firm Instructure—has emerged as the preferred learning-platform solution of four of the Philippines’s top-rated universities, and all 10 top-rated US universities.

Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), De La Salle University (DLSU), University of the Philippines (UP) and UST which recently landed in the Top 10 places in the 2023 Times Higher Education Impact ranking, use Canvas LMS to boost their students’ dynamic learning experiences of by providing a secure, interactive cloudbased platform that facilitates online, blended and face-to-face education.

This adoption reflects a substantial milestone in powering up the teaching and learning systems at the universities with the use of the Instructure Learning Platform that includes Canvas LMS, Impact, Canvas Studio, and Canvas Credentials.

“At Instructure, we firmly believe that education is for all, and are proud to power the best classrooms in the world,” said Instructure CEO Steve Daly. “Through close customer partnerships, we intentionally design each of our products to elevate student success and amplify the power of teaching. We are working for the advancement of education worldwide by enabling more institutions to adopt technology that facilitates equal access to education and fosters lifelong learning.”

UST was the most recent of the country’s top universities to adopt Canvas, extending its benefits to other Dominican-network schools: Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Calamba, Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manaoag and Angelicum Iloilo.

In the US, Duke University selected Canvas LMS to power innovative instruction and learning experiences across its educational institution. The decision represents a significant investment in the entire Instructure Learning Platform, with implementations of Canvas LMS, Impact, Canvas Studio and Canvas Credentials aimed at transforming teaching and learning at the university. With this deeper partnership with Duke, all of the Top 10 universities in the US now use Canvas LMS.

AYOUTH and students’ organization has blasted Sen. Ronald dela Rosa for his latest jingoistic rhetoric, following the release of a study that revealed majority of students rejecting the return of mandatory Reserve Officers Training Course (MROTC).

The Catholic Education Association of the Philippines recently disclosed the results of its survey that showed 53 percent of the more than 20,000 students from over 1,500 Catholic schools nationwide rejecting the comeback of MROTC.

The lawmaker earlier told reporters that “defending this country is not a matter of choice: It is a constitutional duty of every citizen of this republic. Therefore, there is no need of convincing these unpatriotic Filipinos.”

An organization that hardly campaigns against the reinstatement of MROTC, Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK) argued that Dela Rosa’s support for the bill pushes for a patriotism that jeopardizes peace and security in the country, as tensions between the United States and China continue to escalate.

“Dela Rosa demands that Filipino students undergo mandatory military training in the name of patriotism,” SPARK National Coordinator John Lazaro said. “This kind of patriotism endangers national security by militarizing our youth and providing cannon fodder to…US forces that he himself has been critical of.”

The group claimed that the “unabashed subservience of the Marcos Jr. administration to the White House, exhibited by the expansion of Enhanced Defense Coordination Agreement [EDCA] and the strengthening of the longstanding Mutual Defense Treaty [MDT] with the US, exacerbates regional and global tensions with China and places the country’s security at risk.”

“Senator Dela Rosa should be reminded of his constitutional duty as an elected official to serve the interests of the people, instead of steering the Philippines toward war and forcing [M]ROTC on the youth,” he noted.

Contrary to the stand of both Malacañang and Dela Rosa, SPARK has made a call to abolish EDCA, as well as the Visiting Forces Agreement and the MDT. It rather appeals for an independent foreign policy defined by cooperation and dialogue, as well as nonalignment, especially among developing nations. Roderick L. Abad

MOTIVATED by a mutual pursuit to hone future world leaders, the Université International de Rabat (UIR) in Morocco and the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde have agreed to provide a more valuable learning experience for students.

Facilitated by the Rabat-based Embassy of the Philippines in the Kingdom of Morocco, the initial meeting between the institutions was initiated to foster people-topeople exchanges between the two countries.

The alliance was formalized through a memorandum of agreement signed by UIR’s president Noureddine Mouaddib, Benilde’s vice chancellor for Academics Angelo Marco Lacson and Benilde’s School of Arts, Culture, and Performance dean Ma. Magdalena De

Leon. It proposes the development of academic programs and courses as well as double or joint diplomas in fields covering engineering, computer science, management and business, political science and economics.

Mobility programs for summer periods and full semesters will be made available to undergraduate and graduate students.

Faculty members may engage in exchanges for the purpose of teaching and research. Networking, joint scholarly activities and an active interchange of a range of academic publications are also among the various benefits of the collaboration. Reciprocal assistance for visiting students, faculty and staff are likewise covered. For more details about the two institutions, visit benilde.edu.ph and uir.ac.ma.

AN 11th grader from Ilagan, Isabela, Gilbert Bulan used to go to school without a proper meal—at times eating only patis or fish sauce with rice for breakfast. On some days, there was nothing to eat at all.

DATA has become a most prized commodity of modern civilization. Established enterprises employ data to develop business strategies, create or improve products, understand customers, finalize transactions and ultimately, gain a profit.

Since data is practically used everywhere, Data Science has become one of the fastest-growing fields, which is why it is considered by many as the “Sexiest Job of the 21st Century.”

Dr. Mylen Aala-Capuno, chairperson of Mapúa University’s Department of Mathematics, explained that Data Science enables organizations to gain relevant insights in formulating accurate decisions and corresponding business actions. This wealth of information allows companies to optimize their operations and services.

“Data Science is an interdisciplinary field for the study of data to extract meaningful insights that will lead to effective decisions. It combines principles and techniques of mathematics, statistics and computer science,” said Dr. Aala-Capuno.

Unknown to some, Data Science is widely used across various industries, and is not exclusive to tech and finance giants alone. In fact, ordinary Filipinos experience its application and conveniences in everyday life.

Whether content-browsing on video- or audio-streaming sites, searching for new business connections on professional networks, buying items on online marketplaces, or looking up lost long friends on social media, the breadth and potential of Data Science are limitless. This is also the reason it is such a promising (and futureproof) career.

“With data growing at an astro - nomical rate, the demand for data scientists is also growing…Forecasts show that this demand will grow to 36 percent in the next 10 to 15 years,” added Dr. Aala-Capuno. “Being a data scientist is a highly lucrative job, and is usually in the Top 3 highest-paying jobs today.”

Prof. Edgar Adina further explained that the career options of Data Science graduates are much like the data they explore and analyze: boundless.

“Data Science graduates have endless opportunities, as long as data abounds in the digital universe,” explained Prof. Adina. “[They could work as] data managers, data architects, data engineers, business analysts, machine-learning scientists and engineers, statisticians, data modelers, marketing analysts, fraud investigators, business-intelligence developers, or assume a] position in the academe.”

Although the field seems highly technical, Dr. Aala-Capuno assured that anyone passionate about learning could pursue Data Science, since the analytical skills highly valued in the specialization could be learned and developed. Of course, having basic knowledge of mathematics, statistics and programming is also a good foundation for aspiring data-science professionals. While superior mathematical skills could be an advantage, they are not a requirement since the needed competencies will be taught and honed during the program. One such school that has been raising Filipino youth to become proficient in the field is Mapúa University. Its Data Science program is known for its highly personalized mentorship that empowers students to learn beyond theories. The three-year program exposes students to numerous training sessions with real-life data using industry-standard programming languages like Python, R, and software Power BI and MatLab. All courses are technology-integrated so that students can have multiple learning platforms and modalities.

Adina stated that students will master essential skills like data management, data visualization, data mining and modeling, machine learning and deep learning, including artificial intelligence and naturallanguage processing. They will also undergo apprenticeship programs with Mapúa’s industry partners and job-placement opportunities after graduation.

In today’s fast-changing world, a career like Data Science is not only lucrative; it is future-ready. The field’s unlimited opportunities and relevance to everyday life assure graduates of professional growth and stability decades after they receive their degrees. For more information on Mapúa’s Data Science program, visit www.mapua.edu.ph.

The youngest of three kids, Bulan comes from a family who’s unfortunately had limited opportunities in life. Given the members’ financial situation, he works part-time as a sound operator at events to support his family and studies.

With the help of Caritas Phils.’ “Alay Kapwa” Program on Alay para sa Kalusugan (PaMEALYA Program), Bulan and other families with similar situations are able to enjoy nourishing meals before the students come to their classes while they focus on learning.

PaMEALYA was launched by the Diocesan Social Action Center (DSAC)-Ilagan Inc., in partnership with the Hapag Movement—a program led by Globe Telecom and implemented by partners such as the Catholic humanitarian, development and advocacy organization Caritas Phils. It aims to address the issue of food insecurity among 430 DSAC-Ilagan scholars from low-income families.

Through thorough evaluation and needs assessment, DSAC-Ilagan found that many of their scholars face food insecurity due to poverty. Hunger is a major obstacle to students’ ability to comprehend and retain lessons, and PaMEALYA hopes to address this by providing supplemental feeding to scholars and their families to improve their overall well-being and support their education.

The PaMEALYA program’s roll-out in Ilagan last December was attended by about 1,000 community members, including the scholars and their parents, parish social action team members, volunteers, clergy, recipients of the Hapag-Asa Feeding Program, seminarians and DSAC’s self-help group members.

Meanwhile, 10th grader Daren Dave Aquilana who is another beneficiary of the program, shared how PaMEALYA is helping him realize his goal of completing his studies: “As a scholar, I wish to finish my education. Seeing the reality of our life, my parents are challenged to provide for all my needs. It is with a grateful heart to know that the feeding program will become part of the program I am engaged in.”

Caritas Phils., as implementing partner of the Hapag Movement, focuses on programs that render services to local communities, allowing people to effectively participate in fighting hunger through livelihood initiatives and social enterprise.

“At Globe, we are committed to m aking a positive impact on the lives of our communities. This program shows how collaboration and technology can help address pressing social issues such as hunger and food insecurity,” said Globe Group chief sustainability and corporate communications officer Yoly Crisanto. “We look forward to continuing to work together with Caritas Phils. and the DSAC-Ilagan Inc. [in addressing] involuntary hunger in the country.”

“We’re honored to serve our communities through the PaMEALYA program,” said Caritas Phils. Alay Kapwa Program national coordinator Sweet Cruz-Racho. “We are grateful for the appreciation and support of our beneficiaries, and we will continue to work toward providing for their basic needs and improving their lives.”

Help change the lives of underprivileged Filipinos by supporting the Hapag Movement. Visit https:// www.globe.com.ph/about-us/sustainability/globe-of-good.html#gref for info.