THE PRESIDENT’S OUTBOX

October has been a month of reflection for me. A quiet time for thinking.

Much has happened in Bicol University. Much has been achieved by Bicol University. Students, faculty, and non-teaching staff alike have contributed to this constantly growing profile of excellence that our beloved institutionis carefully building. Just like I dreamed, we are truly moving as one to be the ONE.

I am therefore humbled by the way things are going for us. Our students continue to reap recognition in licensure exams, our faculty are recognized in national and international fora, our university, in turn, has made leaps and bounds towards the attainment of our goals. All of these can only inspire me to do even better.

Thankful that BU has been so blessed, I ask that we all stay strong, with hands clasped in unity, and continue our journey forward.

ISSN 2094-3991 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2013

BU joins US extension forum

BUCIT dean is PAGASA awardeeEDEN Extn/ P2

Extension Service Center (ESC) Director

Leilani D. Pavilando, together with National Service Training Program (NSTP) Coordinator Rowena F. Zoilo, represented Bicol University (BU) and the Philippines in the Extension Disaster Education Network

Bicol University joins the 12th Asian University Presidents Forum (AUPF) on October 6-9 held at the Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia

(EDEN) Annual Meeting held October 6-11 at the University of Wisconsin, USA. The meeting was made up of EDEN Delegates who are Extension Directors and Specialists from the member universities in the US. Other agencies like US Department of

A g r i c u l t u re - N a t i o n a l Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) were also present. The meeting’s objectives were to come up with ideas for “integrating disaster education into program areas.” Among the outputs of concurrent sessions were curricula

Dr. Erlinda C. Relucio, Dean of Bicol University College of Industrial Technology, was

acclaimed 2013 Civil Service Commission PAGASA Awardee by the National Civil Service Commission.

She received a CSC plaque, medallion, and cash reward, pursuant to section 6 (b) of the Omnibus Rules Implementing Book of Executive Order No. 292. Honorable Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr., representing His Excellency President Benigno S. Aquino III, presented her the award at the Centennial Hall, Manila Hotel on October 24.

BUCIT Dean/ P3

Dr. Relucio receives a plaque as CSC Pag-asa Awards Semi-finalist in the search for the 2013 Outstanding Public Officials and Employees, at the Civil Service Commission, Constitution Hills, Diliman, Quezon City. June 20, 2013

PAGE 2 PAGE 3

█

Initial equipment is expected to be in place by the end of October.

CHED’s....

BU Participants to the Asian University Presidents’ Forum

OTOP has a very important role in creating value-adding activities that will redound to job creation, thereby, contributing to the alleviation of poverty, particularly in Bicol Region. The region is predominantly agricultural with close to 50% of its workforce dependent on agriculture

BU joins Asian Univ. Presidents’ Forum

from page 4

Bicol University continues to keep

abreast of global trends and issues through conventions and academic fora in and out of the country. On October 6 to 9, the university was represented in the 12th Asian University Presidents Forum (AUPF)at Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Malaysia. Dr. Epifania B. Nuñez, Dean of Bicol University College of Education (BUCE), Dr. Lorna M. Miña, BU Graduate School (BUGS) Secretary and University Lead Auditor, and Dr. Reina O. Habalo, Director of BU Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP)attended the event. Bicol University was one of the 67 higher learning institutions

commodities in the international market.The long-term aim of the OTOP concept is to elevate the standard of home-grown products to international food quality standards especially in countries with a huge Filipino population and where such products are in high demand. The

from 22 countries across Asia who attended the forum. This year’s AUPF objectives were to: provide a platform whereby Asian Institutions of higher learning can communicate with each other to share information, exchange experiences and realize common development goals; increase the involvement and participation of members of the Asian tertiary academic community; and strengthen the bond among academic institutions in the countries involved as well as network with each other. Centering on the theme, “Leadership in the Transformation of Asia: Opportunities and Challenges”, sub-themes included (1)

Current Challenges: Creating Leadership in Quality Amidst Increasing Student Diversity the Future of Asian Education; (2) Creating the Ultimate Asian Graduate; (3) Equity, Equality, and Environmental Sustainability: The Role of Asian Reality; and (4) Inter-University Cooperation Programs: Where Do We Stand? The event was a coming together of academic leaders and practitioners to exchange

information on issues and trends affecting education particularly in Asia, leading to collaboration and networking towards the common goal of improving the educational system, not just in any particular country but around the world, starting from neighboring countries. The forum is in answer to the reality of globalization and the need for the academic community to adjust to the demands of

for livelihood and survival. Agriculture contributes 32% of Bicol’s economic output and accounts for 70% of all commodity outflows of the region. Part of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) comes from the sale and export of locally-produced agricultural products. (RDC)

AUPF/P3

PAGE 2 PAGE 3

EDEN Extn... from page 1

which can be adapted in any place. EDENotes, the official blogsite of EDEN particularly mentioned the following: • The Mississippi Youth Preparedness Initiative (MyPI): Fostering Emergency Preparedness, Civic Responsibility, and Empowerment in Teens. MyPI is a 10-week curriculum designed for teens and with MS Citizen Corps that includes hands-on activities for the youth. (Ryan Akers, Mississippi State and David Nichols, MS CERT Program). • Local Government Financial Disaster Resiliency Program (Louisiana State University—Matt Fanin and Carol Franze) • What Will You Do When a Disaster Strikes? This is a comprehensive curriculum designed to help prepare consumers for possible food-related emergencies. (Tennessee State University—Sandria Godwin and Richard Stone) • Using Scenarios to Prepare Extension Personnel to Communicate during Disaster Situations was an interesting, realistic, and engaging what-if session. (NC State—Sarah Kirby and Ben Chapman) • Incident Command System/Emergency Operations Center Interface & Extension’s Role was another hands-on what-if session. It was

facilitated by the EDEN Exercise Committee (Linda Williams, Chair). This is the second time that Bicol University joined this annual event, the first being in 2011 at Portland, Oregon, where BU President Fay M. Lauraya joined the team from BU. It was also the first time EDEN had international visitors, so that in 2012, EDEN delegates approved a pilot international membership for Bicol University. During this year’s meeting, ESC Director Pavilando presented a paper on how BU had been implementing programs/projects on disaster education, messaging through extension. The highlight of the report was about the funding of a grant from USAID and WFP

to adapt the Family Preparedness concept (Utah and ND) in four local municipalities, and how it was localized to meet the Philippine context. It was also during the meeting that Prof. Pavilando was appointed to sit as member of the International Committee of EDEN .

Dir. Leilani Pavilando gives her presentation during the Ex-tension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) Annual Meeting held on October 6-11 at the University of Wisconsin, USA.

BU joins Asian Univ. Presidents’ Forum

in the plaque she received. The plaque goes on to enumerate her achievements: “Her fuel efficient charcoal stove significantly reduced fuel consumption and minimized cutting of trees; she was also able to convert banana leaves into attractive gift wrappers.” In terms of teaching, the plaque reads: “She tirelessly and unselfishly imparts her knowledge and skills to her students and inspires them to be creative and innovative citizens of the future.” (with reports from BUCIT office)

Dr. Relucio was first lauded as CSC Pag-asa Awards Semi-finalist in the 2013 Outstanding Public Officials and Employees issued at the Civil Service Commission, Constitution Hills, Diliman, Quezon City on June 20, 2013. The award was given in recognition of her contributions in sustaining ecology through studies and inventions that protect the environment and provide low income families with alternative sources of livelihood, as stated

BUCIT Dean from page 1

from page 2

█

the times, which means opening up institutional walls to accommodate the emerging bigger community, and at the same time making sure that common standards are made and met. (Reina O. Habalo/OP)

AUPF

(with data and photo from http://blogs.exten-sion.org/edenotes/2013/11/04/reflections-on-eden-annual-meeting-2013/#comments)

The Editorial BoardEditoral Head: Dr. Ma. Celina Eladia G. Meneses Associate Editor: Dr. Reina O. HabaloManaging Editor: Ms. Merly J. Loria Photojournalist: Earl Epson L. RecamundaCirculation Manager: Ms. Mary Ann M. See Layout Artist: Jona V. CastañedaEditorial Consultant: Dr. Helen M. Llenaresas Overall Consultant: Dr. Fay. Lea Patria M. Lauraya

ISSN 2094-3991 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2013

BU is CHED V’s research center for food safety, quality assuranceThe Commission on

Higher Education (CHED) has identified Bicol University (BU) as the Higher Education Regional Research Center (HERRC) in the Bicol Region, being one of the leading higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country, and the premier state university in Region V. CHED is earnestin the pursuit of its vision for public higher education to be made “more capable and accountable to the State through enhanced public investments” so as to function as “main instruments in developing high-level professions

CHED’s/ P2

to meet the manpower needs of industry, public service and civil society”, as articulated in the Philippine Higher Education Roadmap. Thus, it has invested in supporting SUCs’ three-fold mandate of instruction, research, and extension to make them more responsive to the needsof the communities they serve. As the HERRC for Region V, BU shall be CHED’s partner in promoting and enhancing the research and development (R&D) mandate of HEIs in the region along food safety and quality assurance. The BU-HERRC for Food Safety

The HERRC building is 75% complete and should be operational by November this year.

Carinan

Bicol University congratulates the passers of the October 2013 Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination given by the

Board of Accountancy especially to ALEX CARGULLO CARINAN, rank 7, 91.57%

BU, Top 5 Perfoming School with 85.94% Passing Rate

BUCM starts faculty dev’t training

Dr. Ruben Caragay, Bicol University College of Medicine Dean, in-troduces the proposed curriculum of the double degree program during their faculty development on October 26.

Twenty-five doctors of medicine from

different parts of Bicol came together on October 26 for the orientation on the faculty development training, having been identified as the pool of full and part time faculty members of the Bicol University College of Medicine. The training is a seminar-workshop series tailor-made for these doctors who will be handling specific courses to be offered as part of the Doctor of Medicine Program. Its main purpose

is to enhance their teaching and management skills, and will run from November this year to May 2014. Each series is to be given corresponding credit as an equivalent course which can lead to a Certificate in College Teaching (CCT) if the participants so desire. Bicol University continues to prepare its College of Medicine in all aspects of operation to ensure its formal launch early in 2014, and the opening of its doors to the first batch of enrollees for school year 2014-2015.

and Quality Assurance is envisioned to address the food safety concerns of Bicol’s food industry sector down to the supply chain of food products that are critical to the region’s

development. “One town-one product” Presently, the country is aggressively promoting the “one town-one product”(OTOP) concept to sell agri-based

█