BUCS ComSci, IT dept. goes benchmarking

To increase the knowledge and innovate the delivery of undergraduate and graduate under the information technology programs, the Computer Science and Information Technology Department (CSIT), along with the College of Science (CS) administration and personnel conducted a benchmarking activity in selected top private and government HEIs in the country on October 10 to 14, 2022.

The activity aimed to determine the capabilities, innovations, and learning styles and explore the best practices of HEIs offering new programs both in undergraduate and graduate levels (i.e., cyber security, data/ business analytics), Master in Information Technology (MIT), and Doctor in Information Technology (DIT) programs.

The delegation was led by their Dean, Prof. Jocelyn E. Serrano, Associate Dean, Dr. Rommel Evan J. Paje, who is a faculty member of the CSIT department and Prof. Ryan A. Rodriguez head of the CS department. Other faculty members who joined the team were Dr. Benedicto B. Balilo Jr., Director, Publication and Knowledge Management Division, Dr. Jayvee Christopher N. Vibar, Prof. Felix Penetrante, Prof. Laarni D. Pancho, Agnes R. Caro, Unit Supply Officer, Marlyn R. Pantoja, Unit Budget Officer and Jaycee N. Molar,

Unit BAC secretary.

The institutions were the benchmarking was conducted are Mapua University in Makati, Cavite State University (CSU) in Indang Cavite, Bulacan State University (BulSU), Holy Angel University (HAU), Tarlac State University (TSU), Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP-QC), FAITH Colleges, and Batangas State University (BSU).

The activity was productive as it opened with commitment and collaboration in research and technology innovation. Another milestone that Bicol University may consider is exploring membership to the Seoul Accord for global recognition of computing and IT-related programs.

Metereology Benchmarks | P3

Before drafting a new MOA for this new agreement, the policy of BU regarding adjunct faculty, as well as thesis advising or co-advisors needs to be clarified first. The BU delegation also met with the board members of the Philippine Meteorological Society (PMS) in preparation for the extension activity that is set to start in November 2022.

Manila Observatory to accept BU Meteorology interns

An active partnership for OJT deployment was also discussed with the Manila Observatory during the benchmarking. A MOA will be draft to formalize the agreement. Aside from establishing affiliation, the BU delegation was also shown the observatory’s sophisticated equipment for weather, remote sensing, and air quality, including meeting the different laboratory heads and officers.

The Manila Observatory suggested that the university can act as a “node” which means that they will deploy automated weather stations (AWS) in the Bicol Region, and BU will be in-charge of maintaining the equipment in exchange for the datasets from the AWS. Two separate MOA/MOU is expected to be crafted for this partnership.

RTU introduces BS Astronomy to BU delegates

Known as the first in the country to offer a BS Astronomy with a concentration in Meteorology, the Rizal Technological University (RTU) shared their best practices on student monitoring, research, and extension to the existing curriculum of BU Meteorology program.

The delegation also toured around the campus and the different laboratories and offices where they met the faculty members of the Astronomy Department. Future partnerships were also discussed for the student and faculty exchange program, OJT deployment, and research collaborations.

Overall, the benchmarking activity is expected to forge six MOAs/MOUs with the agencies and institutions visited. This also allowed the physics department to streamline the BS Meteorology program for the next curriculum review in preparation for the submission of the certificate of program compliance (COPC).