by Darlton-Ace C. Tero
The Department of Physical Education (DPE) hosted Online Lectures with Dr. Suporntip Pupanead of Kasetsart University Thailand as keynote speaker. The speaker, together with her two students were slated to come to the Philippines last January 20, 2020, but due to the COVID 19 travel restrictions, the lectures were done virtually on October 15 to November 7, 2020.
Day 1 started with a courtesy call through Google Meet with the following people in attendance: the MSU-IIT CEd Dean Dr. Amelia Buan, Assistant Dean Prof. Osuardo Pabatang, Jr., the DPE Faculty, the Chairperson Prof. Rovie Gretchel Bucad, Dr. Pupanead, Dr. Kulthida Nugultham, and Prof. Wichanon Poonsri. The meeting formally opened with a prayer and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. The CED Dean gave her welcome message, then Dr. Rebecca M. Alcuizar introduced the visiting professor by citing the brief background and credentials. Keynote speaker Dr. Pupanead showed the Kasetsart University programs and the faculty profile via Powerpoint presentations.
A virtual pose of the DPE Faculty with Dr. Suporntip Pupanead
Group picture after the October 16-Orientation Day, with Dr. Suporntip, DPE Faculty and students of BPEd and MSPE.
Day 2 was the orientation with the DPE Faculty and students (BPEd and MSPE). It formally started with a prayer and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. Dr. Rebecca Alcuizar read the house rules and the topics as presented on the matrix table. Then the DPE Chairperson gave welcome talk, with emphasis on the importance of engaging in research, quoting Albert Szent- Gyorgi who said that, “Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought”.
Then, the keynote speaker presented the Kasetsart University course offerings, academic programs, facilities, faculty members, student activities and other programs. She also showed the pictures and shared the proceedings of the MSU-IIT DPE exchange students in Kasetsart University during the prior year’s Exchange Student Program.
Day 3 to Day 10 were productive days of research topics: methodologies in Physical Education and Health researches, how to publish papers, physical activities to protect oneself from various diseases, intervention programs, health tips during the pandemic, how physical education classes are managed amidst the threats of COVID 19, physio-psychology in sports, sports-recreation-and-dance-fitness, and finally the conduct of research colloquium.