December 2022 BUzette

PRESIDENT’S OUTBOX

BU officials take part in International, Intercultural Week in VIVES, Belgium

With barely 19 days before the most awaited day, we gather once again as one Bicol University family, to witness the traditional lighting of the Bicol University Christmas tree. As we gather today and until its culmination on December 15, we join the global call for peaceful, safe, and joyful holidays, this year and beyond, as a fervent for a better future amidst all the distressing news and events in our country, and the world.

We have come a long way towards evolving slowly and gradually in the New Normal. The pandemic is not yet totally behind us. It still lurks in the shadows along with other health concerns and the economic downturn that accompanies such. Nevertheless, we have always bounced back. We have always counted on the blessings that we as one Bicol University family has continuously received through the years

Let this Christmas tree be our iconic symbol of hope, love, and faith—three precious virtues of character that we really need to embrace and embody in an uncertain, volatile, and vulnerable world. May our fervent hope for a peaceful and joyous holiday and our unwavering faith move us to do acts of love that can make hands-on difference in the lives of the people around us.

As we officially welcome the holiday season at Bicol University, I enjoin everyone to participate in our activities without compromising our health and safety. May the holiday season offer us the opportunity to reflect on the past, and look forward to the future with a positive perspective.

Merry Christmas everyone! Isang Paskong Masaya, Bicol University!

In pursuit of intensifying the strategic internationalization direction of Bicol University (BU), nine key delegates were sent to operationalize the ongoing General Bilateral Agreement (GBA) on International Cooperation with VIVES University of Applied Sciences, Belgium, by participating in the VIVES International and Intercultural Week and International Academic Visit with Transdisciplinary Research Conclave from November 14 to 25, 2022.

VIVES invites BU Pres, IRO Director as guest lecturers

In celebration of the International Week, VIVES hosted a Global Engagement Week that invited 41 guests from 25 different countries, and 28 international guests, including the BU President Arnulfo M. Mascariñas and IRO Director, Dr. Dimson M. Rivero as guest lecturers from November 14 to 18, 2022.

The BU President presented a lecture about BU in the Landscape of the New Normal: Initiatives and Strategies. He magnified the challenges in teaching and learning continuity of the university and its strategic approach on developing a resilient learning system.

Meanwhile, Dr. Rivero focused

on Social Entrepreneurship in the Philippines: Leveraging Social Issues to Social Impact. He discussed the social entrepreneurship as an imperative sustainability platform to address social issues through entrepreneurship undertakings.

BU officials present international research paper; benchmark best practices in VIVES, Belgium

Afterwards, the delegates were introduced to the new bachelor’s degree in VIVES, the Media and Entertainment Business, presented by Sylvie Vanrenterghem, coordinator. The university delegates also attended a meeting at the Kortrijk City Hall and campus of Kortrijk for the general introduction of VIVES University of Applied Sciences and the discussion of Study Programs in Business and IT, Technology, and Applied Social Studies. The BU delegates walked through the Topics on Global Engagement in VIVES, Study programs in Health Care and Education, and Campus

Tour Bruges. From November 23 to 25, the international research paper presentation took place.

Paskong Masaya, annual yuletide celeb brings together Bu family BU Partners with SSU for eParticipation

URO to improve services; preps for flexible enrolment, ISO compliance

Meanwhile, in the Brugge Campus, the university key officials, along with Dr. Lopez, Dr. Ibo, Dr. Gonzales, Dr. Arroco, and Dr. Catangui, visited the campus’ Audiology, Speech Therapy, Multimedia, Nutrition, Dietetics, post-graduate Care Teaching, Creative Digital Designs, Culture Management, Sports Management, Cooperative Games, Occupational Therapy, graduate degree in Nursing, Education, Nursing, Midwifery, Business Administration, Accountancy, Management, Engineering, ICT, Electromechanical Systems, Electronics, and Automotive Technology.

In the Roeselare Campus, Dr. Ibo and Dr. Arroco looked in on the Agro and Biotechnology, Agro Industry, Animal Care, Nursing, Food Technology, Green Management, General Agriculture, Horticulture, and

graduate degree in Nursing programs.

BU-VIVES furthers international partnership; enters ERASMUS+ Cooperation

Through the efforts of IRO, BU undertook another international milestone by signing an InterInstitutional Agreement for their first European Regional Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students (ERASMUS+) cooperation on November 23, 2022.

ERASMUS+ is a European Union initiative that helps youth, sports, education, and training across Europe through scholar exchanges and other kinds of cooperative educational activities. This collaboration is in accordance with the Synergy Programme of the Province of West Flanders, which brings together

30 partners from academics, local government, NGOs, cooperatives, and people organizations in both the Philippines and West Flanders. The Synergy Programme serves as a Cooperation Platform and Knowledge Centre for these collaborations, which have as their central focus the development of safe, sustainable, and resilient communities and companies through agricultural entrepreneurship.

The agreement was signed by BU President Mascariñas and Joris Hindryckx, VIVES University President.

The BU and VIVES delegates, along with the officials of the Philippine Embassy in Brussels, Belgium, also met with the province of West Flanders Governor Carl Decaluwe, where he welcomed the visitors and hosted a dinner at the Historic House of the Governor, in Brugge, Belgium.

AN EXECUTIVE NEWSLETTER Editor-in-Chief Dr. Renelyn E. Bautista Associate Editor Gladys S. Serafica Circulation Manager Rica Mae B. Barnedo Photographer Cherry Grace H. Calisin News Writer Arnold C. Noda Graphic & Layout Artist Joshua Isaiah M. Codorniz

Contributors Dr. Dimson M. Rivero, Dr. Roldan C. Cabiles, Dr. Lany L. Maceda, Cedrick Namia Editorial Consultants Dr. Amelia A. Dorosan & Dr. Reina O. Habalo Overall Consultant/Publisher Dr. Arnulfo M. Mascariñas

EDITORIAL BOARD

Intensifying Internationalization- Delegates from Bicol University travel to Belgium to operationalize the ongoing General Bilateral Agreement (GBA) on International Cooperation with VIVES University of Applied Sciences.

URO to improve services; preps for flexible enrolment, ISO compliance

In its objective to equip the university registrar’s and staff in adherence to quality standard service, the University Registrar’s Office (URO) organized a two-day University Registrar’s Enhancement and Capacity Development Activity at the Gamboa’s Orchard, Malilipot, Albay, on December 1 to 2, 2022.

Attended by the registrars and staff across the university, the program discussed the flexible

enrolment preparations led by Dr. Lany L. Maceda, University Registrar, the online registration system updates presented by Adrian Rodriguez from the Information and Communication Technology Office, and the CHED qualified and Unifast billing updates by Joseph Lopera, University Accountant.

On the second day, Ada Camba, URO staff, led the discussion of the ISO findings and compliance

preparation. A team building activity was also held to foster camaraderie among registrars and staff.

Through this activity, the registrars and staff will be able to execute their tasks according to quality standards of service focused on the highest levels of security, confidentiality, authenticity, and accuracy of the students’ academic records, and they will be able to guarantee the prompt and effective provision of client services.

Ever Improving - To better equip staff and adhere to quality standards the University Registrar’s Office (URO) held a two-day Enhancement and Capacity Development Activity at Gamboa’s Orchard on December 1 to 2, 2022.

‘Paskong Masaya’

Annual Yuletide celeb brings together BU family

Bicol University Awards Night 2022

PMO refreshes PPMP to BU colleges

To review and clarify the updated Project Procurement Management Plan (PPMP) of each college and unit of Bicol University (BU), the Procurement Management Office (PMO) held a two-day workshop and presentation at the AVP Catering Services, Legazpi City, on November 28 to 29, 2022.

The planning officers of each office were invited to attend the activity. On the first day, the program proper commenced with welcome remarks and statements of purpose by Dr. Ma. Julieta B. Borres,

PMO Director, followed by messages from VP for Planning and Development, Dr. Eddie S. See, and VP for Administration and Finance, Atty. Joseph L. Bartolata. The discussion for the BU Procurement Status: 2022 Experience was presented as well as the Synchronization of Work and Financial Plan (WFP) and PPMP led by Prof. Alwin Maceres, the University Planning Officer. In the afternoon, the workshop started with a hands-on training for the attendees. The PPMP of some academic units were also presented.

The presentations resumed on the second day while the PPMP experts gave out remarks, suggestions, and clarifications regarding each PPMP. In the afternoon, the academic related and non-academic related units and offices presented their PPMPs.

The deadline for submission of the approved PPMPs is scheduled on or before December 16, 2022, according to Office Memorandum No. 401, series of 2022, while the cluster Annual Procurement Plans (APPs) is on January 6, 2023.

Plotting the Plan - The BU Procurement Management Office (PMO) held a two-day workshop at the AVP catering services function hall to review and orient the planning officers of each office of the changes in the updated Project Procurement Management Plan (PPMP).

BUANTS Offer Free Medical and Optical Check-up

Afree medical and optical check-up for the Bicol University Association of Non-Teaching Staff (BUANTS) members took place during the BU-ANTS general assembly at the BUCENG Gymnasium, on December 9, 2022.

BU Partners with SSU for eParticipation 2.1

Dr. Lany L. Maceda forged partnership with the Sorsogon State University, through its officials, in a Memorandum of Understanding signing in line with the project on “eParticipation 2.1: Harnessing Natural Language Processing for Community Participation,” December 15, 2022.

Dr. Maceda is the BU program leader of the project, while Prof. Mideth Abisado, from the National University, is the project leader.

It can be recalled that BU signed a Research Funding Agreement (RFA) with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), through the Leading the Advancement of Knowledge in Agriculture and Sciences (LAKAS) Program to conduct the project.

Health is Wealth - BU Association of Non-Teaching Staff (ANTS) holds a free medical and optical check-up for members during a general assembly at the BUCENG gymnasium on December 9, 2022

Forum explains VAWC, ‘safe spaces’ for 18day campaign on violence against women

In support of the 18-day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW), Bicol University Graduate School (BUGS), in collaboration with the Center for Gender and Development (CGAD), BU Open University (BUOU), BU College of Industrial Technology, (BUCIT), and BUGS Student Council (BUGSSC), conducted a forum on Safe Spaces Act or RA 11313 and Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children or 9262, held on December 1, 2022 via Zoom.

Dr. Roldan C. Cabiles, the proponent and BUOU and BUGS Gender and Development Coordinator, shared that the objective of the forum was to advocate for safe space and harassment-free environment for everyone’s safety and security, and to eliminate forms of violence against women and children.

Atty. Maria Cleofe Gettie C.

Sandoval, faculty member of Ateneo School of Law, Ateneo de Manila University and the one of drafted the Magna Carta of Women, discussed important provisions, penalties and the philosophy behind the RA 11313, whereas, Atty. Glenn Ian P. Barcebal, Private Practitioner of Atty. Glenn Ian P. Barcebal Law Office and a faculty member of BU College of Law, centered his discussion on the categories of violence that may be committed by an individual under RA 9262 such as physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and economic violence.

The participants were welcomed by Dr. Ramesis M. Lorino, Dean of BUOU and inspirational messages were expressed by BU Officials

namely Dr. Noel R. Rafer, CGAD Director; Dr. Herbert B. Rosana, BUGS Dean; Dr. Jonathan C. Arroco, BUCIT Dean; and Dr. Amelia A. Dorosan, Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Approximately 140 participants were present during the synchronous forum coming from various parts of the country and some were from offshore.

Members of the working committee were then acknowledged by Dr. Roldan C. Cabiles and underscored that the takeaways from the forum should be practiced in their respective work spaces.

The morning and afternoon sessions were facilitated by the President of the BUGS Student Council, Mr. Flored N. Medina, also a student of PhD Public Administration program.

Safest of Spaces - BU Center for Gender and Development (CGAD) collaborate with BU Graduate School, Graduate School Student Council, BU Open University, and BU College of Industrial Technology to conduct a forum on the Safe Spaces Act on December 1 via a Zoom conference.