SSU, Catbalogan – For three consecutive years, Samar State University (SSU) has started the year off by creatively holding the first meeting through patterning the theme to the cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. This 2019, being tagged as the Year of the Pig, SSU themed its first kick-off meeting as Barrio Fiesta a la “Lechon Festival”.
In Barrio Fiestas, the lechon (roasted pig) is always the highlight feature served in every Filipino family’s table. Lechon is the national food of the Philippines (not adobo, contrary to popular belief) and the celebration will not be complete with it missing. It becomes a unifier that combines family members and relatives together as they share and fight over the sumptuousness of the food. This resonates SSU’s kick-off meeting theme: “Bayanihan tungo sa Kaunlaran at Kasaganaan”.
The kick-off meeting started with a welcome message delivered by the Chief of the Finance Services, Mr. Jose M. Panganoron. He jokingly started his talk by greeting the crowd “a cholesterol-free” year.
“2018 had been a very productive year for us. As we welcome the New Year, may we declare the continuing flow of good fortune and wealth,” he said.
HRIS launched
One of the highlights of the year’s first meeting is the launching and demonstration of the Human Resource Information (HRIS). Through the efforts of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Center headed by Dir. Zaldy A. Jabiñar, the HR Technology was crafted to shape intersection between human resource management (HRM) and information technology. In other words, HRIS will allow all Human Resource (HR) activities and processes to occur electronically.
Jabiñar presented the main module of HRIS which includes Employee Record Management, Time & Attendance, Leave Management, Strategic Performance Management System, Property Monitoring, Recruitment, Payroll Management, Training, and Employee Self-Service.
“This is a great leap for SSU because this is one of its kind in the region and in some other universities. The system is now accessible and you can check out your profile anywhere you are,” he stated.
According to Jabiñar, the Personal Data Sheet (CSC-PDS) and the Job Recruitment features are already integrated in the system. The Individual Development Plan Management Module can already be utilized and the Individual Performance Commitment Review (IPCR) is already halfway through its completion.
The ICT assured the SSU employees that this year, the HRIS will be fully implemented.
“This milestone is achieving for us points, as PRIME-HRM Bronze Awardee, to attain the Maturity Level III of the university,” he concluded.
SSU Online Shop introduced
Nathaniel Guio Mendoza, ICT staff, presented the online shop of the University. He showed the features of the website (shop.ssu.edu.ph) and the process of placing orders online.
“As of now the available products are the corporate merchandises that the University have such as the Two-Toned Coffee Mug, Eco Notebook, Eco Jotter, Drinkware, Polo Shirt (S, M, L, XL), and Canvass Bag,” he said.
Mendoza said that other research products of the university will be available for procurement soon such as utility models, modules, books, and devices.
“This is a platform that could also serve as an income generating project of the University,” he added.
The online shop, according to Mendoza, would benefit the University because SSU products will become available for global access, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
Lechon Art Garnishing
The Administrative and Finance office organized the Lechon Art Garnishing competition as part of the Barrio Fiesta kick-off meeting.
“This Barrio Fiesta celebration will not be complete without lechon. That is why, we have prepared five lechons, but before we consume these, we will divide the group into five teams, and you will garnish the lechon in the most creative way that you can,” said Dr. Lydia A. Gonzales, VP for Administrative and Finance.
Thirty minutes were given to the five representatives of each team to beautify their lechon. The three VP who served as the judges chose the Team College of Industrial Technology (CIT) as having the best art-garnished lechon.
Newly Designated Officials and Newly Hired Faculty presented
Dr. Redentor S. Palencia, Executive Assistant III, before presenting the newly designated officials and newly hired faculty of the University, showed first the new organizational chart of the University.
After which, he called the newly designated officials under the University President, VP for Academic Affairs, VP for Research and Extension Services, VP for Administrative and Finance, and VP for Student Affairs and Services.
Then, he proceeded to calling the newly hired faculty and administrative personnel in front. Palencia congratulated and welcomed them to the growing SSU family.
Presentations of Accomplishments in 2018 Strategic Directions/Policies for 2019
Office of Research and Extension Services
Dr. Ronald L. Orale, VP for Research and Extension Services, reviewed the 22 year SSU Development Roadmap and restated the vision of what the University should be in 2021.
“In 2021, we aim to be a Level V SUC with five Level IV AACUP accredited programs, 30 % PhDs and 90% Master’s Degree Holder. But this strategic planning period is very crucial and as of December 2018, we still got lots of things to do to accomplish these goals,” he said.
Orale enumerated the accomplishments of the RDE office. Some that were mentioned were the seven externally funded projects with a total budget of P68 M in the next three years. Another is that SSU is the only NICER program recipient in Region 8, and one of the six recipients in the Philippines.
“One of the major accomplishments of the RDE is its first hosting of an international conference together with colleges and campuses with a total number of 6,850 stakeholders,” he said.
Orale also presented the targets of the Research and Extension Services office and the upcoming activities this year 2019 that will be spearheaded by his team.
“Let’s work together towards attaining the targets,” he said in conclusion.
Office of the Academic Affairs
The VP for Academic Affairs, Dr. Felisa E. Gomba, started her talk by saying that all employees are just ‘instruments’ of God and that the reason that they are in SSU is because God gave them talents.
“After some time, we are going to leave Samar State University but Samar State University still exists,” she said.
She, then, proceeded in the reporting of enrollment for S.Y. 2018-2019 and noticed an inflation in the number of students compared to the past school year.
“Take note of the greater number of students we have [this school year] because if we look into the world ranking, the kind of students we have is also an important component of this ranking,” she said.
Afterwards, Gomba presented the Licensure Examination results of different programs.
She, then, reminded the faculty on the policies of the office such as the syllabi, grades, OPCR and IPCR targets submission.
“Let us follow the protocol of the university. It is important that we follow the policies strictly if we want to achieve our goals. For sustainability, let us have a balance for instruction, research, and extension,” stated Gomba.
Office of Student Affairs and Services
It had been a fruitful year for the new Vice-President for Student Affairs and Services, Engr. Ma. Lourdes P. Amante, to have many approved proposals for the year 2018. One of which is the revision of the University Cash Incentives to the Top 10 Passers and Institutional Overall Performance in the National Licensure Examinations per BOR Res. No. 06, s. 2018.
“We already have one recipient of this cash incentive and he received P30,000 last year. Mr. Jomar Deguiño, Registered Master Electrician, placed fourth during the September 2018 Board Examination,” stated Amante.
The changing of the school uniform and corporate attire for Internship/Practice Teaching was also pushed through.
“Another leap of the university that we must celebrate is that SSU is now capable of accepting foreign students and provide them with quality education,” she said.
She also mentioned the different accomplishments of the office on the Accreditation of Student Organizations, Student Housing Services, Scholarship, Financial Assistance, and Free Higher Education Program, Multi-Faith Services, University Student Council, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Sports Development, Culture, and Arts, and Alumni Relations Services.
Office of Administration and Finance
“Our accomplishments are with CHARM, CARE-HRM, and SPEAR: Comprehensive Human Resource Management Assistance, Review and Monitoring (CHARM), Continuing Assistance and Review for Excellent HRM (CARE-HRM), and Special program for Evaluation and Assessment as Required/Requested (SPEAR),” stated Dr. Lydia A. Gonzales, VP for Administration and Finance.
For 2018, she said that every member of the team contributed to the accomplishment of the office. There were 28 hired faculty during the year, and a number of non-teaching personnel were also hired.
“The Office of the Administration and Finance is proud to tell you that the payroll system and HRIS are ready for utilization, job-order personnel are already covered with SSS Insurance, and Samar State University is PRIME-HRM Maturity Level II Bronze Awardee. All these accomplishments will never be possible without your help,” Gonzales emphasized.
Gonzales also took pride on the 100% implementation of the Individual Development Plan (IDP) of the SSU Personnel.
“This 2019, we aim to reach the PRIME-HRM Maturity Level III by providing continuous faculty and non-teaching development programs, fully implementing eNGAs and eBudget systems, digitizing processes, enhancing internet services and establishing a university-wide Wifi system, strengthening landscaping projects, and enhancing physical plant and facilities through completion of unfinished buildings,” Gonzales said.
She ended her talk by citing Philippians 2:2 which says “Make my joy full, by being of the same mind and having the same love, being completely united, having the one thought in mind.”
President’s Message
“Our theme this year, Bayanihan tungo sa Kaunlaran at Kasaganaan, reminded me of what Chair De Vera said that the model of Federalism here in the Philippines is quite different because it will be Bayanihan-Federalism. Bayanihan is more than team work, it’s more than collaboration, but it is the idea that no one should be left behind. So this year, we will be working together, lifting one another, because no one should be left behind,” said Dr. Marilyn D. Cardoso, University President.
Dr. Cardoso congratulated everyone for the successes attained by the University during 2018. In connection, she shared the parable of the stones by Steve Jobs.
“It is a metaphor for a team working really hard on something they’re passionate about. It’s that through that group of incredibly talented people bumping against each other, having arguments, having fight sometimes, making some noise, and working together, they polish each other and they polish the ideas, and what comes out are these really beautiful stones,” Cardoso said.
Reminding everyone how ‘bayanihan’ is important, Dr. Cardoso cited Helen Keller’s saying, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”
“We can do great things together, with generosity, kindness, cooperation, and hardwork. Mag-babayanihan tayo the whole year, and no one should be left behind,” she concluded.
175 total views, 2 views today
