FREE SHIPPING: PNU initiatives in the New Normal

ERICA MAE GOZO Amid the global health emergency, Philippine Normal University continuously delivers active responses to the educational challenges in the new normal. From complying promptly with the government's health protocols to responding to the stakeholders' needs, PNU has been espousing education continuity in the face of a pandemic.

Here are some of the University's initiatives during the six months under the new normal:

PNU COVID-19 UPDAtes

MARCH 18, 2020 Having a reliable source is the key to understand the health crisis the world is facing. To provide essential information for PNUans, PNU launched its online bulletin for COVID-19 updates.

With the Management and Information System Office's (MISO) help, PNU can reach out to its stakeholders for public advisories and accurate facts on preventing the virus's spread. The website also contains a list of helplines and government agencies' links concerning the pandemic and Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

The PNU COVID-19 website is available at https://www. pnu.edu.ph/covid-19.

#PNUhope #COVidkalangPNUanskami

In the middle of a crisis that brings anxiety to many, staying connected is a must. PNU, on its Facebook page, started timely interactions through its #PNUhope #COVIDkalangPNUanskami project. It encourages the PNU community to interact virtually by answering questions like “PNUans, how do you spend your days being productive at home but at the same time safe from the possible threat of COVID-19?” PNUans expressed a variety of thoughts in the comment section.

PROJeCt D.e.A.R.

MARCH 23, 2020 As an active partner of the national government on combating the vast effect of the COVID-19, the PNU system initiated a donation drive called Project Disaster Emergency Assistance and Relief (DEAR), in cooperation with Community Partnership and Extension Office (CPEO).

Through the three-day donation drive, the University collected a total amount of Php 216,550 that went directly to PGH Medical Foundation, Inc., the province of Agusan Del Sur-DRRM, and the local government unit (LGU) of Alicia, Isabela. On April 8, 2020, the Project DEAR donation drive had its second wave collecting an amount of Php 328,250.00 that helped the vulnerable sectors in Barangays 777, 778, and 779, city of Manila.

PNU t.A.L.K.s.

MARCH 30, 2020 While most stayed at home, the University initiated a series of webinars to make education work during the community quarantine.

PNU Teaching and Advocacy for Lifetime Knowledge and Skills (TALKS) features PNU faculty members, alumni, and students who discussed various practical topics such as Homemade Cleaners and Disinfectant, Smart Way to Get Fit amidst COVID-19, and A to E: Keeping the Mind Healthy. The episodes of the webinar are presented through Facebook live by PNU Officials. ONLINe-seMINAR WORKsHOP

MARCH 31, 2020 – APRIL 3, 2020

digital Citizenship for 21st Century learners

Switching to flexible learning and teaching takes many adjustments for everyone, especially to educators and academic workers. To enhance the capabilities of faculty members and administrative staff, PNU organized a four-day Online Seminar-Workshop on Digital Citizenship for 21st Century Learners.

The University partnered with Amicus Koi Solutions and Microsoft Philippines to make the event possible. Moreover, the PNU-College of Flexible Learning and ePNU (CFlex), the Institute of Knowledge Management (IKM), and MISO also offered support to ensure the engagement of 144 PNU faculty members and administrative staff.

UNIVeRsItY DONAtIONs

APRIL 6 - 17, 2020

PNU initiatives

In the middle of the pandemic, cooperation and volunteerism are evident among various sectors. PNU manifested the same spirit as it extends help beyond its immediate community.

Starting April 6 to April 17, 2020, the University distributed 50 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), 490 face shields, and 400 face masks to various medical institutions. Also, eight partner communities of PNU became the beneficiary of over 180 food packs and 263 packs of rice. Along with this, the University gave 15 food packs and monetary assistance to 15 students who were stranded in their dormitories.

PNU CRIsIs HeLPLINe

APRIL 6 - 17, 2020 Due to the emerging emotional and psychological needs triggered by the global health emergency, the PNU- Office of Student Affairs and Student Services (OSASS) launched PNU Crisis Helpline to provide care for the emotional and mental well-being of PNU students.

Counselors and trained volunteers around Metro Manila and nearby provinces staffed the program. The program gives:

1.Crisis intervention for individuals who are in emotional distress. 2.Information in recognizing distress and its effects. 3.Assistance related to medical, academic, and economic concerns. 4.Referrals to trained responders for additional follow-up care and support.

According to Mrs. Merimee Tampus-Siena, PNU counselor, the service ended on September 28, but they decided to extend it from October 12 until October 31. In the proposed concept paper, OSASS coordinates with Associate Deans, Deans, Director of CPEO, physician, and nurses from the PNU clinic.

sURVeY ON ALs

MAY 8, 2020 To prepare for the new normal circumstances, PNU- Educational Policy Research and Development Center (PNUEPDRC) initiated an online survey to determine the PNU community’s preparedness in implementing online classes for the upcoming academic year.

MARCH 11, 2020 In the middle of a crisis where economic concerns arise, OSASS launched its first virtual career fair to help graduating students and alumni for their employment.

The online career fair was conducted from May 11 to June 2020 and had 58 participating educational institutions. OSASS made it possible through the partnership with the IT company Jobs180.com, a platform for some of the University’s career programs.

LMs WeBINARs

JUNE 5, 2020 & JUNE 11, 2020

Utilizing and establishing lms

In line with its mission, PNU CFlex, with MISO’s help, conducted two webinars entitled “Utilizing the Learning Management System: A Webinar” and “Establishing a Learning Management System: A Webinar.”

The webinars were organized to assist other teacher education institutions (TEI) in coping with challenges due to the new normal. Faculty members, officials, and administrative staff from different universities selected the participants of the webinar.

PNU ALUMNI DONAtION

JUNE 8, 2020

PNU Psych Alumni donate PPes

In support of the University’s wide-spread COVID-19 response, the PNU Psychology Alumni community distributed 300 PPEs to frontliners at National Center for Mental Health (NCMH), Philippine General Hospital (PGH), and Ospital ng Sampaloc.

The distribution was part of their PsychKalinga project that aims to generate PhP 150 000 worth of PPEs for the beneficiaryhospitals around Manila.

MsC FACULtY tRAINING

JUNE 29 - JULY 1, 2020

remote faculty training for msC

Intending to deliver quality education despite the health emergency, PNU College of Teacher Development (CTD) extends its hand by conducting a three-day remote faculty training program for Marinduque State College.

The training focused on assisting MSC’s preparation in blended learning set up for their academic year. It focused on the alignment of outcomes, instructional delivery for flexible/blended setting, and outcomesbased assessment that could help more than 300 faculty members of the said University.

CHeD HIeD BAYANIHAN PROGRAM

AUG. 10, 2020 – AUG. 13, 2020 & AUG. 11, 2020 – AUG. 14, 2020 As part of PNU’s commitment to the CHED HiED Bayanihan Program, the University conducted a series of webinars entitled “Gearing Towards Remote Teaching and Learning” and “Online Training on Flexible Learning for SUCs/HEIs: Untying the Knot for Quality Education.” The participants of the webinar came from PNU and various state universities. JULY 2, 2020 As PNUans face numerous challenges, especially on how to cope and afford online learning modality, the University initiated the Project Tanglaw to raise funds in support of the underprivileged students. The donation drive aims to provide gadgets and connectivity support to ensure that no student is left behind in this time of uncertainty.

With the given criteria and requirements, OSASS starts to accept applicants from August 26 until September 15 to determine the project’s beneficiaries. On September 26, the first batch of beneficiaries was able to receive gadgets and connectivity support. The materials were distributed personally by PNU President Bert J. Tuga along with Dr. Lordinio A. Vergara, Vice President for University Relations and Advancement (VPURA), Mr. Alfredo T. Magat, University Student Council (USC) Chairperson, and staff volunteers from IPEHRDS.

WeBINAR ON GRHe

JULY 19, 2020

Great reset in higher education

PNU-CFlex coordinated with MISO and organized the “Webinar on the Great Reset in Higher Education: From F2F to Remote Learning and Beyond” in preparation for the new learning modalities. The webinar was able to accommodate more than 150 participants from different state colleges and universities.

KAWAY-ARALAN

JULY 31, 2020 As a response to the current educational challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, PNU announced its plan for the new normal learning approach called “Kaway-Aralan.”

This framework contains a modified curriculum, teaching-learning activities, and assessment that are student-centered. Unlike in the usual classroom set up, the new learning modality is more self-paced. Also, PNU-CFLeX redesigned PNU-LMS into e-PNU for the submission of academic requirements. The University provides a toolkit for each student that contains courses for the first term. This toolkit ensures a manageable learning experience for students, even without the internet. However, PNU Vice President for Academics Dr. Jennie Jocson asked for consideration for possible delay of distribution due to the limited transportation access and lack of workforce. 5 stAR RAtING. exCeLLeNt seRVICe. Despite the challenges and limitations, the delivery of assistance from PNU is considerably fast. The package of service and excellence was well delivered, especially to its vulnerable stakeholders. However, in pursuit of providing quality education amidst the crisis, adequate government assistance is essential for PNU AUG. 27, 2020 To prepare for unforeseen circumstances this academic year, PNU conducted a two-week simulation period. Each PNU Faculties and Institutes release schedules that will guide each PNUan during the simulation process. The class schedule is a list of various platforms options that can be utilized by the class.

MeNtAL HeALtH WeBINAR

SEPT. 5, 2020 Taking care of one’s mental well-being, especially in times of uncertainty, is a must. In response to the growing need for mental health support, PNU organized a series of webinars to assist the mental concerns of the PNU community. The webinars were entitled “Mental Health Webinar for PNU Faculty, Administrators and Staff” and “Graduate Student Fellowship: Mental Health Issues and Concerns and Online Kamustahan.”

PNU tOOLKIt

SEPT. 10, 2020 Addressing the call for #NoStudentLeftBehind advocacy, PNU collaborated with PHLPOST to deliver learning packages ahead of school opening.

Each course toolkits contain printed modules, a flash drive with soft copies of modules, a letter from the President, and instruction on the package’s proper disinfection. These materials enable each student to continue learning despite limited internet connectivity. PHLPOST, as the partner courier, picked up the first batch of the learning tool package last September 16; the second batch was on September 17, and the final set was on September 23.

However, numerous students from different levels are yet to receive their learning packages, weeks since the class opening.

AsteN I-CONNeCt

SEPT. 25, 2020

AsTeN i-CoNNeCT webinar series

The global health crisis affects a lot of countries. In line with this, PNU launched the AsTEN I-CoNNECT Webinar Series from September to November 2020. These webinars showcase how ASEAN countries

innovate their curricula amidst the pandemic.

to completely fulfill its mandate to serve. The worsening national situation necessitates the University to demand substantial funding for the education sector, as the National Center for Teacher Education. As a leading educational institution, PNU must take its service to a higher level by building solidarity within the education sector and champion an inclusive and quality education.