Two senior BSEconomics students of VSU’s Department of Economics (DOE) won the Outstanding Research Paper Awards during the Young Economists Convention (YEC) – Visayas Cluster. The event was held on February 5, 2016 at the University of San Carlos with the theme: “The Creative Mind of Visayas: A Culture of Private Enterprise and Innovation.”

Mr. Christopher Llones got the 1st place with his research entry entitled “Estimates of Price and Income Elasticity of Crude Oil in Selected Member States of ASEAN.” Ms. Mary Jane Pepe, on the other hand, got the 2nd placewith her research entry entitled “Impact Analysis of the Sitio Electrification Program on the Socio-Economic Development in the Selected Households in Matalom, Leyte.” Both were presented with certificates of recognition as well as cash gifts.  The other finalist was from the University of San Carlos.

The first part of the conference was a series of talks that revolved around the message of youth engagement. The first speaker was Dave Overton, founder of OracyConcepts and Sym.ph, who talked about the youth as a source of new ideas in innovation and technology. Cornelio Guantero, Jr. of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) was the second speaker.  His talk focused on the state of economic development in the Visayan region.

The convention was organized by the De La Salle University’s EconOrg with the help of the Carolinian Economics Society.  The event allowed budding young economists to share their insights and be recognized for their excellent research as students.

The attendance to YEC was only a part of the BS Economics and BS Agribusiness Educational Tour. The group visited and attended seminar-lectures at the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) and the BangkoSentralngPilipinas (BSP) in Cebu City. Together with the students were threeDOE faculty members, namely: Mr.LemuelPreciados, Ms.ZyraCentino, and Prof. RufinaCapuno.

VSU eyes its campus in Baybay City, Leyte as an ecotourism site in the near future.

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The Regional Annual Administrative and Tactical Inspection (RAATI) Team for School Year 2015-2016 headed by Col. Ricardo M. Colina, GSC PA (RET), evaluated the VSU Reserve Officer’s Training Corps Unit (ROTCU) on February 2, 2016 at the VSU Lower Campus Oval Grounds.  The VSU ROTCU was hailed as the regional champion in the 2016 RAATI for garnering a numerical rating of 96.643.

            The VSU ROTC Unit, with Maj. Vedasto A. Cabales, Jr. (CE) PA, Commandant, underwent intensive evaluation by the team of inspectors. The cadets and cadettes snappily displayed their prowess in the manual of arms, gave their best during the ceremonial parade, rank inspection, company drill, administrative inspection, military stakes, and field demonstration.

            This year’s tactical inspection determines the existing condition of the activated ROTC Units in terms of administration, personnel, training facilities, training aids, equipment and support extended by school authorities; evaluate the degree and quality of training attained by the ROTC cadets vis-à-vis performance of Army personnel assigned in the ROTC Units; measure the degree of administrative efficiency, training management, proficiency and quality of training and education attained by the corps of cadets; determine the best performing ROTC Units in the region as basis for awards and recognition; and determine the extent of support provided by the school, whether ROTC funds are judiciously utilized.

            The RAATI Team paid a courtesy call to the VSU Office of the President where they were warmly welcomed by Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin, University President.

During the Commandant’s Briefing, 1Lt. Ricarido C. Nanggan, Jr., MAC (RES),VSU ROTCU Assistant Commandant, explained that the RAATI is heldto indoctrinate  and equip  the ROTC trainees with the basic knowledge on military science and skills in the right attitude of military professionalism, prepare and develop college students for possible service in the defense of the state and in the event of national emergency, and to train potential officers for possible commission to the reserve force of the AFP.

Other members of the Team include Capt. CleritoCerna (INF) PA, MSg.Bianny T.Isip (Inf) PA,MSg. Bernardo C. Flores (Inf) PA, and MSg.Recho P. Lopez (Inf) PA. 

The Department of Biological Sciences (DBS) celebrated Biology Week on February 9-12, 2016. The celebration centered on the theme “15 years and beyond”. The activities were spearheaded by the Organization of Biology Students (OBioS).

The week-long activity preluded with an opening program on February 9, with lectures on Ecology, Marine Biology, and Botany. Speakers were Dr.Senona A. Cesar, Dr.Humberto R. Montes, and Prof. Marita I. Galinato.

            The OBioS also conducted an essay writing contest, a poster-making contest, and a quiz show. The quiz show was held in two categories, one for the BSBio students, and the other for non-BSBio students. Prizes include certificates, medals for the BSBio student winners, and cash prizes of PhP1,000, 600 and 400, respectively, for the non-BSBio student category winners. The celebration concluded with a Biolympics exclusive to BSBio students.

The Civil Service Commission of Region 8 (CSC-8) accorded the Visayas State University (VSU), together with other four government agencies in Eastern Visayas, with the Level II Maturity Award in HR Systems (Performance Management System and Rewards and Recognition) under the PRIME-HRM.  The award was received by VSU President Edgardo E. Tulin from CSC-8 Regional Director Victoria F. Esber on February 1, 2016 during the PRIME-HRM Congress at La Villa Francisco Mountain Resort in Brgy. San Roque, Tacloban City.

            Being awarded with the PRIME-HRM Maturity Level II (Process-Defined HRM), VSU is able to demonstrate readiness to exercise delegated HR functions, crafting standard operating procedures and automating systems, among others; and enjoy certain privileges, such as the authority to take final action on appointments.

            The selection of the different agency-awardees was based on how the agency performs in the four core systems—Recruitment, Selection and Placement; HRD Learning and Development; Performance Management System; and Rewards and Recognition.  The four core systems were vividly discussed individually by the CSC directors.

            The Program to Institutionalize Meritocracy and Excellence in Human Resource Management (PRIME-HRM) aims to elevate public sector human resource management to a level of excellence through a process of assessment, assistance and recognition of HRM systems, competencies, and practices using HRM maturity level indicators that are at par with global HRM standards.  It also envisions to inspire agencies to transform their HRM systems that support the agency mandate, empower agencies in the performance of human resource management functions, promote and reward excellent human resource management practices, serve as a venue for exchange and development of expertise in the area of human resource management between and among government agencies, and serve as a search mechanism for best practices in human resource management.

In his response as one of the awardees, Dr.Tulin thanked the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for the award and recognizing VSU’s effort in attaining the objectives of the PRIME-HRM program.  “We are proud that our best practices have been acknowledged by the CSC and we have always been guided by the principles of the PRIME-HRM program,” the VSU President said.  He also stressed that the impact of the operationalization of our SPMS can be felt in the University’s culture because everybody has the conscious effort of improving competency and performance target. 

“True to its goal of institutionalizing meritocracy and excellence in human resource management, this award inspires us to do more so we can achieve the level of maturity in due time.  We assure you our commitment to implement the program that will result to meritocracy and excellence in public service to make the public happy, satisfied, and delighted,” Dr.Tulin mused.  

The VSU President also emphasized that in as much as superior human resource management system is vital to the success of the organization, a competent human capital is also the light of the organization.  “VSU strives to be globally comparable, thus it is imperative that we will also professionalize and institutionalize our systems and processes,” he quipped. 

Dr.Tulin shared the honor with the former president of VSU, Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo, who originally launched the VSU’s quest for excellence in PRIME-HRM in 2013.   Likewise, he acknowledged the VSU HR Officer, Dr. Lourdes B. Cano, and Director Pharida Q. Aurelia, Western Leyte/Biliran Field Office Director, for their effort in making VSU qualified for the PRIME-HRM Maturity Level II. 

On the other hand, Dir. Esber emphasized in her message that whenever they want to nominate people, they always look at VSU as the “hakutanngmga nominees and awards” (haulage of nominees and awards).  “Our partnership with VSU has already been established and recognized,” she stressed.   She also emphasized that with the PRIME-HRM awards accorded to the other four agencies, CSC-8 has expanded the mines where it can haul the rewards and recognitions. 

“I am happy with the responses from the awardees because all of you have recognized the technical assistance, the mentoring, and the coaching extended by our provincial directors.  What amazed me more is that all of us are united in working for excellence and for a better public service.”

She ended her message quoting Aristotle who said, “Excellence definitely is not an accident, it is a product of sincere effort, vision, and hardwork, but more importantly, excellence is a habit.”

The CSC Field Officer Directors where the PRIME-HRM Maturity Level II awardees came from were also given plaques of appreciation by the Civil Service.

This year’s congress was themed “Getting PRIMED with PRIME-HRM.” 

The Visayas State University Library led by its Chief Librarian, Ms.Andreli D. Pardales, launched on February 12, 2016 the VSU Library’s National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) project grant of Filipiniana library materials at the VSU Library Lounge. Anchored on the theme “Cultural Enrichment through Enhanced VSU Library Collection”, the launching was graced by Dr.Rizalina D. Truya, Assistant Professor I of the College of Education.

            VSU is one of the two schools in Eastern Visayas granted with PhP150,000 by the NCCA for the enhancement of Filipiniana library materials.

            An on-the-spot drawing contest was held prior to the launching. Students from the VSU Laboratory High School participated in the contest. The winners were HanielNapoles (1st), Lyda Tan (2nd), and Kimberly Pantoja (3rd). 

Mr.Hisanori Kobayashi, Chief Executive Officer of the Fukurokuen Co., Ltd. also called as the Foreign Host Establishment (FHE) based in Toyohashi City, Aichi, Japan, expressed willingness to accept college senior students of the Visayas State University (VSU) who will undergo their internship in his establishment. 

During the consultation on January 20, 2016 with the VSU President Edgardo E. Tulin, together with some professors of the College of Agriculture and Food Science led by its dean, Dr. Victor B. Asio, where the first batch of interns composed of eight senior students shall come from, it was pointed out by Mr. Kobayashi that those who will be having their on-the-job training in Japan sometime in April or May this year shall be assigned either at the farming, harvesting and packaging of  perilla or beefsteak plant (Perillafrutescens (L.) Britt), a Japanese herb used as a garnish in cooking tempura, or in any other selected department as mutually agreed upon and in accordance with the internship plan program.

He also said that he prefers female interns as they have the patience and are hardworking especially that they will be meticulously examining the individual leaf of the perilla plant.

The company will shoulder the student-interns’ air transportation from Tacloban-Manila-Japan and vice versa, the board and lodging, medical insurance, and a monthly allowance of US$300 aside from the overtime/excess allowance.

The Memorandum of Agreement was signed on January 20, 2016 by Dr.Tulin and Mr. Kobayashi in the presence of Mr. Koji Omoto of Samurise General Incorporated based in Manila.  The MOA stipulates that the FHE shall accommodate and accept qualified agriculture student-interns who are recommended and endorsed by VSU and provide them the opportunity to acquire practical knowledge, skills and desirable attitudes in a multicultural work environment within a period of six months to one year.

Another MOA between VSU represented by Dr.Tulin and the Tanaka Noen Co. Ltd. represented by Mr. Kenichi Tanaka, Chief Executive Officer, was also signed on the same day relative to VSU students’ internship in Japan with the same privileges being offered by the Fukurokuen Co., Ltd.