The first Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Dr. Gerardo P. Sicat, visited the Visayas State University (VSU) on May 7-8, 2015 to discuss about agricultural situation in the region with some VSU key officials. Dr. Sicat was warmly welcomed by Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo, VSU President, and afforded a tour around the campus with the VSU President as the tour guide.  He personally observed the different facilities of the University including the research centers, academic departments, and other laboratories. 

The Visayas State University (VSU) and the Ghent University (GU) at St. Pietersnieuwstraat, Ghent, Belgium entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the establishment and promotion of research collaboration on the basis of reciprocity and mutual interest. 

The Office of the Vice President for Instruction (OVPI), under the leadership of Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin, facilitated on May 4-5, 2015 a Seminar-Workshop on the Implementation of Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) at the VSU Convention Hall. It was participated in by 249 faculty members from the different colleges of the VSU Main Campus and four satellite campuses.

Greetings…

“Where your heart is, is where your home is.”

I’ve said same phrase two years ago in welcoming the alumni and I think it is worth mentioning again in this occasion.  Your coming back to our Alma Mater means your hearts are with Visayas State University. For that, we are all thankful. Welcome home! Welcome to your Alma Mater!

The country’s oldest and largest professional organization of teachers of media and communication recently elected its next set of trustees who will lead the organization in the next two years.

The Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE) elected 15 trustees from its roster of members during its National Conference and General Assembly held on April 16-18, 2015 at the De La Salle University-Dasmariñas.

Three of the 15 trustees are faculty/staff of the Visayas State University (VSU)—Dr. Wolfreda T. Alesna and Mr. Jed Asaph D. Cortes of the Department of Development Communication (DDC) and Mr. Ulderico B. Alviola of the Information Office, who will soon join DDC after finishing his Ph.D. in Development Communication at UP Los Baños.

The new board is led by Prof. Marco M. Polo of DLSU-Dasmariñas who was re-elected as president. Joining him in the Executive Committee are: Prof. Joeven Castro of Far Eastern University (FEU) - Vice President for Luzon; Mr. U. B. Alviola of  VSU - VP for Visayas; Prof. Mahalia Acuña of Central Mindanao University - VP for Mindanao; Prof. Mark Lester Chico of University of the Philippines Los Baños – Secretary; Mr. J. A. D. Cortes of VSU - Assistant Secretary; Prof. Monina Bello of St. Paul University, Quezon City – Treasurer; Dr. Bettina Joyce Ilagan of Cavite State University - Assistant Treasurer; Dr. Rowena Capulong-Reyes of FEU - Public Relations Officer; and Prof. Gene Pamittan, Jr. of FEU - Compliance Officer.

The trustees are Prof. Ben Domingo formerly of Central Luzon State University and Chair of the CHED Technical Committee on Journalism, Prof. Nicky Salandanan of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), and Dr. W. T. Alesna of VSU. Serving as first term trustees are: Mr. Cortes of VSU, Prof. Janet Tibaldo of St. Louis University, and Prof. Joseph Tubilan of Cebu Normal University.  Dr. Gwen Pusta of UST is Ex-Officio trustee having been the OIC President of PACE before Prof. Marco Polo was elected President in 2012.

The new board is comprised of 12 trustees who were re-elected, three new trustees and one ex-officio. They will serve from School Year 2015/2016 to School Year 2016/2017.

In his message during their induction, Prof. Polo thanked the body for their trust and support to the Board and he urged them to continue to be actively involved in the various projects and programs of PACE.

This year’s election was semi-automated as members in good standing were allowed to vote online. The election committee was comprised of Prof. Melanie Briones of the University of the Assumption (Chair) and Prof. Ernest Collo of Benguet State University (member).  Rowena Capulong-Reyes/PACE Public Relations Officer

More than 90% of the coral reefs in our country have fair to poor condition. Typhoons, illegal fishing methods, pollution, and other natural and anthropogenic disturbances all contribute to the decline of our coral reefs. On this tenet, McKeough Marine Center of Xavier University (XU) – Ateneo de Cagayan, organized on May 2-5, 2015 a four-day workshop on Coral Conservation and Restoration held at the Marine Station in Jasaan, Misamis Oriental.

Mr. Art Russel R. Flandez, Marine Ecologist of the Department of Biological Sciences (DBS) and member of marine biology research group of the Institute of Tropical Ecology and Environmental Management (ITEEM) of VSU, participated in the said event.  Aside from the workshop, it also tackled lectures and laboratory work on gravid coral identification, techniques on larval culture, settlement, nursery and outplanting; larval collection techniques, and coral husbandry. The participants were also exposed on field work including daytime and nighttime SCUBA diving. Night diving is crucial in the observation of coral spawning and collection of gametes (eggs and sperms) and larvae.

The workshop was concluded with a seminar on May 6, 2015 held at the Faber Hall Amphitheater of XU. It was attended by various representatives from the academe, local government units, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders.

The activity was realized with funding and technical expertise from SECORE Foundation in collaboration with California Academy of Sciences, Omaha Zoo, and Underwater World Guam.

SECORE (which got its name from sexual coral reproduction) is a non-profit, non-governmental research organization known for its ground-breaking work on coral rehabilitation through propagation using sexual reproduction. This is contrary to the commonly used asexual methods, e.g., fragmentation and transplantation.  Art Russel R. Flandez/DBS

After he delivered his graduation message during the 62^nd VSU Commencement Exercises on April 22, 2015 at the VSU Gymnatorium, Hon. Carlos Jericho “Icot” L. Petilla, Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE), proceeded immediately to the VSU Renewable Energy Research Center (RERC) under the direct supervision of Dr. Roberto C. Guarte, VP for Administration and Finance and concurrent Dean of the College of Engineering,   for the inauguration of the said Center.  The occasion was also graced by the Leyte Vice Governor Carlo P. Loreto, Baybay City Mayor Carmen L. Cari, PRC Regional Director German Palabyab, An Waray Partylist Congresswoman Victoria Noel, PIA Regional Director Alicia Nicart, and other dignitaries.