CATBALOGAN CITY – Samar State University welcomed the year 2021 with a Kick-Off Meeting and Management Review under the theme “OKs na Oks! Embracing Positivity in the Year of the Ox”.
As reflected in the theme, the virtual meeting held on February 5 (21) started with so much positivity as Mrs. Evelyn T. Abaigar, Chief Administrative Officer of the Administrative Services/HRMO III, delivered her Opening Remarks circling on hope.
The four Vice Presidents reported their accomplishments in the past year and directives for 2021.
On Academic Affairs
Dr. Felisa E. Gomba, Vice President for Academic Affairs, shared the status of the curricular programs along accreditation and standardization. She congratulated the different colleges and campuses with CHED-noted curriculum, programs with COPC, and programs with AACCUP level.
As a highlight, Dr. Gomba said that 2020 was the ‘best year’ for the institution in terms of its academic processes having used for the first time the SSU Moodle-Based Learning Management System (LMS) and a heightened percentage of Instructional Material (IM) production.
On Research and Extension Services
On his talk, Dr. Ronald L. Orale, Vice President for Research and Extension Services, presented the key accomplishment of the Research and Development (R&D) last year, specifically the SSU Bantay COVID-19: The SMARTER Way Program. He thanked the faculty-researchers who volunteered and served during the height of the pandemic.
Dr. Orale also mentioned the externally-funded projects of the University, its research accomplishments, and the webinars/workshops/conferences conducted.
As part of the goal of the University on preparing the foundation for an international university, Dr. Orale enumerated the core criteria to boost the QS Star Rating and World University Ranking of SSU and encouraged all faculty to publish in refereed journals.
“This must be a normal target of every faculty member,” he stated.
On Administration and Finance
The Vice President for Administration and Finance, Dr. Lydia A. Gonzales, started her talk by enumerating the administration’s 2020 Strategic Goals and how they were accomplished. They were able to construct and procure various health and safety facilities and equipment used for the COVID-19 response projects. On top of these, she also reported the accomplishments of the Procurement and Supply Management and the Human Resource Management and Development Services.
On financial accomplishments, Dr. Gonzales reported an 8% budget increase in 2020 compared to 2019. She presented a rundown of the financial and accomplishment rates of the University and the awards it received from the Department of Budget Management (RO VIII) as Top Obligations BUR Performer for FY 2019 and the Outstanding Physical Performance by Exceeding the Targets of All Performance Indicators for FY 2019 GAA Award.
The Office was also able to hit its target of on enhancing infrastructure projects by completing the College of Arts and Sciences Academic Building, Research and Innovation Center (RIC), and other repair and rehabilitation projects.
In closing, Dr. Gonzales categorized their present strategic directions into 4: (1) Improvement of Physical Facilities, (2) Recruit and Retain Qualified Personnel, (3) Focus on People, Leadership, and Growth, and (4) Foster a Sustainable Enterprise.
On Student Affairs and Services
“The SSU Office of the Student Affairs and Services continues to extend its services to the SSU community and beyond despite the pandemic that the world is currently facing,” said the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services, Engr. Ma. Lourdes P. Amante.
Engr. Amante reported the accomplishments of the offices under her such as the Office of the Student Welfare and development Services, Office of Institutional Student Programs and Services, Office of Sports Development, and Culture and the Arts Program, Office of Student Internship Program, and Office of Alumni Relations Services.
She gave an overview of the OSAS directives including the conduct of OSAS Strategic Planning for CY 2022-2026 and implementation of the OSAS Continuity Plan for AY 2020-2021 and AY 2021-2022.
On the University’s directions
After the presentations of the four Vice Presidents, a message was rendered by the University President, Dr. Marilyn D. Cardoso stating that the year 2021 is going to be a year to reap what was sown.
She emphasized that one of the key components for the success this year is nurturing and embracing positivity as reflected in the event’s theme.
Dr. Cardoso added that SSU was able to ‘live above the crises’ and accomplished several milestones in the previous year in spite of the curbs caused by the coronavirus.
“The University has notable accomplishments even amidst the pandemic. Looking at the positive side of the pandemic, it greatly tested resilience in us,” she said.
She enumerated the accomplishments of the University including the establishment of the SMARTER framework as a means to help the community which is stipulated in the “SSU Resilience and Business Continuity Strategic Plan amid COVID-19 Pandemic, the SMARTER Way”.
She also mentioned the pursuit of SSU for quality in its processes as it submits to various evaluating bodies such as the Program Accreditation by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACUP) and ISO 9001:2015 Surveillance Visit by SOCOTEC.
Also, the University President gladly reported that she already presided the meeting as the Chairperson of the Social Sector of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Technical Working Group (TWG) co-chaired by the Regional Director of the Department of Education (RO VIII) with BSP, CHED, DENR, DICT, DOH, DSWD, NEDA, NNC, NMP, NYC, PCW, PhilHealth, POPCOM, all SUCs, TESDA, DILG, and RDC assigned to (SDG 3) ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages, (SDG 4) ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, and (SDG 5) achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
“It is indeed a ‘herculean task’ to be the Chairperson of the Technical Working Group of the Social Sector as this will cover the whole Eastern Visayas. But with you in my back, I need not to worry,” Dr. Cardoso expressed.
In closing, the University President thanked the whole SSU community and reminded all that the targets set must be ‘armed with communal unity and cooperation’.
“As we embark new challenges in 2021, we need to shield ourselves with positivity and openness to many opportunities,” she concluded.
Everyone was congratulated for the successful past year and challenged to embrace positivity as the University journeys with this year’s Metal Ox.
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