NEWS|PHINMA-UPang starts its academic year afresh, opens BS Psychology program

PHINMA-UPang starts its academic year afresh, opens BS Psychology program

Marielle Nacar Balgua

To keep track of PHINMA Education's mission to make lives better through education, PHINMA-UPang extends its College of Allied Health and Sciences (CAHS) program by offering Bachelor of Science in Psychology starting AY 2022–2023.

After two years of conducting classes online, UPang finally welcomes its students back on campus. Ushering not only their freshmen and continuing students but also the pioneer batch for the BS Psychology program.

In an interview with the College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS) Dean, Dr. Maria Teresa Fajardo, she says that the provision of Psychology education is consistent with the university's mission of improving the lives of its students, their families, and the community. Dean Fajardo also said that the pandemic's impact has some influence on the program they considered.

"The institution will help the community and the country achieve their goals of well-being and economic health by producing competent Psychologists who can provide a wide range of psycho- logical services. Simultaneously, the institution will produce highly employable professionals who will, hopefully, find jobs and careers that will lead to a better future for them", Dean Fajardo explained.

When asked about the challenges they encountered, the Dean answered that it was the CHED requirements, as they only had a short amount of time to prepare. They needed to find qualified faculty and meet the laboratory requirements, but thankfully, upon the CHED's and the management's assistance, it was all confronted head-on.

Dean Fajardo pointed out that as part of PHINMAEd, UPang emphasizes dedication, honesty, credibility, and consistency in words and actions. "Its vision is to produce local, national, and international leaders in academic health sciences, research, and practice as a learning center with consistently high board passing rates," she added.

Their target was only one section, but apparently, it was realized that the community accepted UPang in this field. So far, this batch has six blocks, which are approximately 100+ first-year students.

One of these students, Ms. April Andrea Fernandez, revealed that the top factor she considered before enrolling in the university was the quality of education.

"PHINMA UPang often gets into the top ten [in board exam results]. Knowing that it is their first batch of student[s] for Psychology, I expect them to pour their knowledge and to do their best to teach us like in the other program that tops the board exam", Ms. Fernandez reasoned.

She also shared that she is enjoying the program because it gives her an opportunity to grow closer with other people as they share different stories that they have experienced and are yet to experience.

For students like Ms. Fernandez, who enrolled in the university's newest program, Dean Fajardo relays that "Education in Psychology can pave the way to successful career life. Providing you with a high-quality program is our top commitment. Your responsibility as a student is to devote yourself consistently and excellently to this academic endeavor. May you have a meaningful journey!"