USPF Quarterly 2016 Vol1 Charter Day Special Issue by USPF Publications Office

CHARTER DAY SPECIAL ISSUE

Embracing 21st Century Education in Transforming Lifelong Learners as Global Professionals

University President’s Charter Day Speech:

Happy 67th Charter Day!

e congratulate all the honorees today and thank them for their services and commitment to the University. Let us give them a big round of applause. An Education Scholar says: A task without a vision is mediocrity; a vision without a task is a dream; a task with a vision is a success. The University of Southern Philippines Foundation has always been guided by a vision of elevating its programs and standards responsive to the needs of the time. For the last decade, it has consistently revisited its vision and mission with corresponding strategies translating the vision to active paradigms for the learning of students. Relevant to the 21st century learning environment, USPF is launching today a lofty vision to become a 21st century transformative learning environment of global lifelong learners. This new vision creates major breakthroughs in transforming the school in its delivery of excellent, relevant and timely services to its stakeholders. The mission to commit ourselves to a value-laden quality education that nurtures ethical, creative, competent, and socially responsive individuals, illustrate a clear link between teacher quality and value-laden nature of the teaching environment. In recent Australian study of ROWE (2004) noted that of all the teacher qualities nominated by students who achieve best in school, it was the notions of care and trust that were paramount. Drawing the best students, quality teaching and professional practice that have the most impact on the relationship of due care, mutual respect, fairness and positive modeling established with the student place significant impact in the attainment of our mission, The three objectives clearly stipulate strategies on the vision be operationalized and delivered. Objective #1: Set new standards and paradigms in 21st century education. The keywords “standards” and “paradigm” signify an ideal 21st century model of education that provides tools and resources equip students/graduates ready for challenging jobs. Twenty first century learning means that students master content translated into skills. Our students compete on a global stage and they need new skills to prepare them for further studies and for jobs. Schools have to develop the

4Cs: creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking. Our challenge as educators will be to constantly adapt teaching and learning with innovative technologies and the demand of a global environment where knowledge and skills are the new global currency. Quality teaching matters in this new era. Technology alone will not deliver and improved learning experience of students. Across the world it is well recognized that quality teaching is the single most influential factor on student learning. As technology advances further in the future, let us not forget that it is the teacher who makes the great difference. On pedagogy and curriculum, there are many innovations that combine ICT, curriculum and pedagogy to ensure that our teachers are well-equipped with the needed skills now and in the future. The University of Southern Philippines Foundation drew inspiration for the new learning innovations that best fit into the challenges for the 21st century learning demands. The Whole Brain Learning System (WBLS) was initially launched last year where teachers, middle managers and some members of the Board of Trustees were participants of the training. WBLS is a 21st century neuroscientific learning philosophy which is holistic, value-laden, outcomes-based, multi-dimensional and multi-developmental program ever introduced in USPF. Success of this WBLS program will cover a whole new 360 degrees turn on the academic instruction of the University. Our never ending gratitude to the Agustin Beatriz Jereza Foundation in collaboration with the University of Southern Philippines Foundation for sponsoring this worthy program. Our heartfelt thanks to the great lady, the Chairman of the ABJ Foundation and the University Mrs. Teresita Ponce who is a patron of this project. Special thanks to the dynamic facilitator and intellectual mentor of this program, Professor Cecilia Manikan. The deans, principals, directors, teachers and support staff who painstakingly undertook the one year intensive training, I wish to extend my heartfelt appreciation and commendation. Let us give the “heroes” of the WBLS training a resounding applause. OBJECTIVE #2: Empower people toward self- actualization for better quality of life. Creating an organizational envi-

ronment where people feel empowered is the thrust of this objective. The greatest asset of an organization is its people. The strength of an organization cannot rise over and above the strength of its people. As Jepsen puts it: “If people have the same competence needed and the understanding of the goals, they should then also have the decision-making power. When we give control to people who have the competence and clarity, we create an environment where great things happen.” The 21st leadership calls for leaders to “act their way to new thinking”; they shall have a “global mind”. For many organizations, creating an environment where people feel empowered is a big change. Understanding that making small changes to support people to feel empowered is a great thing leaders do. OBJECTIVE #3: Maintain a viable and sustainable organization. There are components of organizational sustainability. Among them is a visible organizational identity reflected by its mission-vision and values. It tells the story of an organization and why it exists. It also tells the organizations to look at branding and message. In brief it tells the community of the kind of school it has, the school’s personality. The school’s financial and systems administration determines ability to sus-

tain or survive operations. Its long-range strategic plan and annual operation plan shall be in place. The staff development and organizational culture is another factor that counts. Do we have a healthy investment on our people? Are they provided a climate of trust and openness? Are their professional beliefs and aspirations align toward building a strong and sustainable organization? These three objectives guide everyone especially the top-management toward attainment of our new vision and mission. These are the guiding points which, if positively acted upon, would propel the school to become at par with the universities all over the world. The theme of this Charter Day celebration speaks of where we are at present. We commit to translate our vision and values into action paradigms and create an enabling environment for better learning. More power to all of us! Happy 67th Charter Day!

DR.ALICIA P. CABATINGAN University President

delivered on July 8, 2016 at the Theater for the Performing Arts, University of Southern Philippines Foundation, Lahug, Cebu City, Philippines

EDITORIAL SECTION

USPF TO BECOME TOP 21ST CENTURY UNIVERSITY

New VP for Administration delivers report

Jeff Vasquez

Dr. Alicia Cabatingan, University President, launches organization vision of making USPF a top university. In response to the 21st century learning, this enables the University to ‘deliver excellent, relevant, and timely services.’ Through this, the University remains consistent in translating its vision to tangible improvements in the students’ learning. In 2004, an Australian study found that care and trust are qualities by teachers that play a big factor in a student’s achievement. The University commits to a ‘value-laden quality education that nurtures ethical, creative, competent, and social responsive individuals.’ To achieve this, she mentions three objectives. First, new standards and paradigms are set that are reflective of 21st century education. This enables the students to gain mastery of skills and in return, become competitive in the global market. Furthermore, the University will have to develop the 4Cs, which stands for creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking. Recognizing the quality of teaching as the single most influential factor on student learning, educators need to constantly adapt to the latest technology. The teacher still plays an important role in fostering learning. The University launched the Whole Brain Learning System (WBLS), a

modern neuroscientific learning philosophy that brought a complete overhaul of the academic instruction of the University. This project was sponsored by the Agustin Beatriz Jereza Foundation in collaboration with the University of Southern Philippines Foundation, both chaired by Mrs. Teresita Villa Ponce. The project was ran by Professor Cecilia B. Manikan and was attended by the different deans, principals, teachers, and support staff. Second, people are empowered towards achieving self-actualization. This recognizes that people are the greatest asset of the organization. Furthermore, this calls for leaders to ‘act their way to new thinking’. Third, a viable and sustainable organization is maintained. The University should be a visible organization and reflected by its vision-mission and values. It tells the story of why it exists and how it looks or branding and the message it conveys. In totality, it tells the community the kind of the school it has or simply its personality. The University also has long-range strategic plans in place to be able to sustain or survive operations. These three objectives, especially led by the top management, enable the University to accomplish its vision-mission and will make it globally competitive.

...new standards and paradigms are set that are reﬂective of 21st century education.

Vice president for administration Engr. Antonio B. Lapingcao, Jr. details report on the administration oﬃce plans. Engr. Antonio B. Lapingcao, Jr., the new vice president for administration, gave insights on the ongoing and future projects. The Administration office ensures a livable and sustainable in-campus atmosphere. It primarily involves energy-conservation and environment-friendly construction of buildings and infrastructures. Its ongoing projects include the rise of the new Elementary School building; spruce repainting of the Agustin Jereza building as well as the installation of solar panels, one of the first solar-powered university in the Visayas; Mabini campus revitalization; and, the beautification of the Eladio Villa Memorial Gymnasium - Home of the Panthers and the Open Court. The proposed projects include those of health and wellness like an oval jogging path and PRT gym as well as those of championing renewable energy and environment-friendly initiatives such as the per-building water tank and catch basin, and Universi-

ty-wide solar lights. A downline of the VP Administration is the Business Resource Center (BRC) which occupies itself with the online application for facilities rental, ongoing RFID application in partnership with ICT department, and the business target of 1.3 million Return Of Investment (ROI) for AY 2016-2017. Other businesses and programs under the administration office are management, security, and marketing innovations: centralization of procurement, installation of CCTVs, provision of radios for faster communication, English as a Second Language (ESL) center primarily intended for Japanese market, CESAFI participation, dengue preventive measures, re-branding through the new Panthers logo. VP Lapingcao, Jr. showed drone-assisted and 3D designed videos of the location and overview of the plans for the future 4-storey cottages, solar power, and rise of the senior high school building.

New VP for Academics introduces academic plans Dr. Agapito Clabesillas, new vice president for academics, promoted the University’s best practices and introduced the significant innovations as well as the substantial initiatives for the tertiary level programs: support international certification examination; continued TESDA National Competency integration; persistent PACUCOA accreditation for all programs; strengthened partnership and linkages with local, national and international institutions; active membership of faculty and staff in accredited and reputable professional organizations; increase published research articles in peer-reviewed and accredited international journals; and unrelenting community outreach program.

SERVICE AWARDEES

ICT department promotes 21st Century infrastructures and management

40years

JEFFREY L. VILLA

25years

ENGR. MARIO O. ARNAIZ MS. MONSERRAT C. DIAPANA MRS. ADELITA T. MAQUILANG MRS. ARLENE B. ROLDAN

20years

MS. IMELDA P. MUGA MRS. MERZA M. SANSAN MRS. LILIBETH L. IROMA

15years

MRS. MILA B. TUASON MR. MAGNO G. AQUINO JR. DR. ALICIA P. CABATINGAN MRS. JOY E. LIM DANLY E. LAO

10years MR. SYRIEL S. YBAÑEZ MRS. PAMILA . ALTAMARINO MRS. ROWENA B. NERVES MRS. AILEEN V. BERDEN MS. ROSLYN C. BRIGOLI MR. NELSON M. DINGLASA MS. JEAN C. CA-AY MS. CECILLE J. ROSELLE MRS. AGNES P. GUMANDOY

Mr. Lester Gastala, University Chief Information Officer (CIO), kept the administrators, faculty and staff abreast with the projects of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) department. According to Mr. Gastala, ICT is building and revitalizing the infrastructure, which is the basic foundation of the system. It is instituting the internet accessibility inside the University through Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), trailblazing an in-house designed Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID), and establishing the Academic Information Management System (AIMS). First, for the WiFi-powered internet accessibility, Aerohive devices are strategically installed in the Lahug campus University library, USPF dormitory, High School building, Don Sulpicio Go Instructional Media Center (IMC) Moot Court, V.R. Gonzales hall which houses the Learning Resource Center (LRC), TESDA accredited skills center, Main Function Room, Oscar Jereza Sr. hall, University President’s office, and THM building. More places in-campus both Lahug and Mabini are expected to enjoy the WiFi connection. Second, the first University-designed RFID System Development is ably carried by the ICT professionals. The team is composed of USPian alumni and employees: Mr. Boie Ranay, senior programmer and USPian BSIT alumnus class of 2014; Mr. John Andre Pareja , junior programmer and USPian BSIT alumnus class of 2014; Engr. Clark Tumanda, technical support group head;

Engr. Benjamin de la Cerna III, network engineer; Mr. Nathaniel Cilocilo, technical support specialist and USPian BSIT alumnus class of 2014; Mr. Niño Lane, helpdesk support staff; and, Mr. Lester Gastala, chief information officer and overall project manager for the 1st RFID In-House System Development of USPF. ICT department introduced AIMS and partnered with technology leaders Google, Apple, and CANVAS. It brought in the 1st Google for Education Training, the first ever in Cebu, where select administrators, faculty and staff participated in the first leg on the 23rd and 24th of November 2015 at the THM Building. Additionally, ICT organized the 1st University-Wide Apple Education Event held on the 14th and 15th of July 2016 at the Moot Court. Furthermore, it espoused CANVAS, the preferred partner of 7 out of 8 Ivy League schools in the world, Learning Management System (LMS) on the 21st of June 2016 at the Moot Court with regional director at instructure Mr. Julian Yballe of Hong Kong Information Technology and Services. In his report, Mr. Gastala also introduced tips on 21st century critical thinking tools like Google’s RankBrain, filter bubble, and the computational knowledge system called WolframAlpha. Finally, he cited the ongoing ICT projects which include installation of the turnstile system with embedded RFID reader at the University’s main entrance and the student information kiosk where access to schedules, announcements, grades, directory and map are but a few clicks.

Head & Editor-in-Chief KATHLEEN B. SOLON-VILLANEZA, PhD│Associate Editor JANET ARCANA, EdD │Managing Editor ALVIN E. ZAMORA, EdD│ Content Editor WILZEN D. BERMOY│ Alumni Editors Across Continents JEFF B. VASQUEZ (AUSTRALIA-New Zealand) ● JOSEPH ENRIQUEZ (UAE) ● RAE JESSICA ENRIQUEZ (ASIA-Singapore) ● MARIA JANET DAJAO (AMERICAS-Canada) ● KARREN BANDAJON (AMERICASUSA) ● JUVILYN DILAO-ASILO (UAE) ● JOSEPH FRANZ LANZADERAS (ASIA-Brunei Darrusalam) ● LORDSON OBRE (ASIA-Malaysia) ● ARLENE BUANJUG-ROLDAN (ASIA-Philippines) │ Resident Writers & Contributors Elementary School AGNES GUMANDOY (Mabini campus) High School MARY JANE MUAÑA (Lahug campus) ● EMELIA OBANER (Mabini campus) College of Arts & Sciences ROWENA NERVES ● ROSARIO E. SEQUITIN College of Education JANE EVITA NGO, EdD│ Layout Artist EDIK DOLOTINA │ Administrative Staff CRISLYN PANAL