by Lemuel Clark P. Velasco, FAB LAB Mindanao Manager
With the Institute in full march to attain its research university status, collaboration with government agencies who prioritize research and innovation has been in the heart of MSU-IIT. Last August 3, 2018 during the second anniversary of FAB LAB Mindanao, MSU-IIT Chancellor Dr. Sukarno D. Tanggol signed another memorandum of agreement with the Department of Trade and Industry to upgrade the facilities of Mindanao’s first FAB LAB. In a Tech Breakfast attended by academic and industry partners, DTI represented by Lanao del Norte Provincial Director, Dr. Ruel Paclipan revealed the 3-Million support and thanked MSU-IIT for the two-year partnership with the Institute in being a shared service facility for product development assistance among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It can be remembered that in 2016, the Institute and DTI signed the first MOA for the 7-Million initial equipment of FAB LAB Mindanao all with the purpose of creating a technology access center and training provider on digital fabrication for MSMEs.
In 2017, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) granted a 1.2-Million institutional support for FAB LAB Mindanao through the provision of additional equipment that will assist the region’s science and technology researchers. During the Tech Breakfast, DOST Region 10 Director Alfonso P. Alamban along with Chancellor Tanggol unveiled Mindanao’s first openly accessible metal computer numerically controlled milling machine housed in a FAB LAB. Being an innovation center under the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension, Dr. Jinky B. Bornales expressed her excitement on FAB LAB’s additional equipment and reiterated that these will be used significantly to achieve FAB LAB Mindanao’s vision of being an innovation system that transforms ideas for value creation and wealth generation. With both equipment and expertise, FAB LAB Mindanao will continue to play its role in MSU-IIT’s innovation ecosystem by being a hub where almost everyone can #makeAlmostAnything.
This year’s 47th Commencement Exercises had its graduation speaker the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Secretary, Fortunato T. De La Peña. He addressed 1, 964 graduates from eight different colleges and schools on July 5, 2017 at the Institute Gymnasium.
De La Peña expressed his pleasure to be back in MSU-IIT as guest speaker as he last came to the Institute sometime in 2010-2011 when he was still DOST Undersecretary and visited the Materials Science Laboratory and other facilities supported by the DOST. He told the graduates that he knows the mixed feelings of a graduate. “First, there is that extreme happiness and feeling of relief after completing all those requirements, all those trials that you have undergone…more importantly, there is also that feeling of anxiety and uncertainty with the life ahead of you.”
He then shared his journey as a student who attended college at the early age of 14, going through until graduation, working as an engineer, pursuing graduate studies, and becoming a teacher for 43 years at the University of the Philippines while working at DOST.
In his commencement address, the tall, soft-spoken DOST Secretary emphasized to the graduates that it does not matter where they will start their career. He said that what is more important is they find a place where they enjoy the work they will do. He went on to share his own experience, “I said to myself you can never tell. In fact, I never planned my career. I just went on with whatever I enjoyed doing, doing my best where I am located and trying to weigh things when there are challenges and opportunities ahead of me. I did not look for places to go but when there were opportunities that came my way, I try to weigh and make a decision.”
He further encouraged the graduates by saying, “wherever you are, just do your best and while you are still young, it is okay for you to transfer from one job to another. But make sure when you are already settled down with your family, try to get settled in a career where you are happy.”
He proceeded by congratulating the faculty members, parents, and benefactors who he thinks deserve as much congratulations as the graduates do. He also congratulated MSU-IIT for making quality education accessible to many people especially those who are financially challenged.
He commended MSU-IIT as one of the country’s top-rating universities recognizing the designated seven Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Centers of Excellence and eleven Centers of Development in the Institute, and the only Higher Education Institution in Mindanao identified to be a delivering institution of two DOST scholarship programs: the Accelerated Science and Technology Human Resource Development Program (ASTHRD) and the Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT).
Moreover, he said excellent research studies are done as he had seen during his first visit in the Institute in 2009, faculty members obtaining scholarships for doctorate studies abroad, international collaborations, the existence of research laboratories and equipment housed in the Premier Research Institute of Science and Mathematics (PRISM), the Technology Business Incubator (TBI), and the Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab).
According to the science chief, when it comes to delivery of education, MSU-IIT is prompt to act on improvements in its curriculum to respond to changing needs. This is evidenced in the offering of the Microelectronics track of the Electronics and Communication Engineering program following the DOST- Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD)-funded project “Developing Microelectronics Education in the Philippines.”
Seeing how the Institute has developed and how it has made initiatives to help, De La Peña invites and challenges MSU-IIT to be one of the DOST’s lead partners in implementing their programs and hastening the development of other regions.
In closing, De La Peña conveyed to the graduates the wishes articulated by President Rodrigo Duterte with the hope that these will be kept in the minds and hearts of the graduates wherever they go and whatever career they will have: reduction of inequality, creation of new opportunities, and expansion of potentials for growth. He believes that this year’s theme “Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship” is very appropriate as these are ways of expanding potentials for growth.
The 47th Graduation Ceremonies class was led by Mubarak M. Paingco, a BS Biology major and the only Summa Cum Laude this year, with a GPA of 1.102. Ten students were recipients of Institute Co-curricular Awards, namely: Jahaziel Mark S. Bahan (CBAA), Institute Leadership Award; Lou Ellen L. Antonio (CASS), Journalism Award; Michelle B. Garing (CASS), Music Award; Veniza D. Yamomo (CBAA), Performing Arts Award; Janodin M. Marohombsar, Debate Award; Primo T. Bagasol (CEd), Dance Award (Male); Laurice Jean A. Sator, Dance Award (Female); Paul Mateo Huelma (CBAA), Athletics Award (Male); May Kristine Deang (Ced), Athletics Award (Female); and Lyster Rey Cabardo (CSM), Sikap Award. Seventeen grantees from the Expanded Student Grants-in-Aid Program for Poverty Alleviation (ESGP-PA) were also recognized for their exemplary performance and were awarded medals by CHED-X Regional Director Gersana.
MSU System President Habib W. Macaayong conferred the various titles and degrees on the graduating class in the presence of the members of the Board of Regents, MSU System officials, MSU-Naawan Chancellor Proserpina G. Roxas, MSU-Buug Chancellor Sultan Taha G. Sarip, MSU-IIT officials, and other guests: CHED-X Regional Director Zenaida Gersana, DOST-X Regional Director Alfonso Alamban, Division Chief of PCIEERD-DOST Ermie Bacarra and Executive Director of the Board of Investments in Sri Lanka Upali Senarath.
The 47th Pre-Commencement Exercises and Recognition Ceremonies were held on July 3-4, 2017 with guest speakers Dr. Rey Y. Capangpangan, Research, Development and Extension Center Head of Mineral Resources Research and Training Center, Butuan City (for Cluster 1: CSM, CON); Carlos B. Llamas III, Principal of Lumbatin Elementary School, Iligan City (for Cluster 2: SCS, CEd); ASEAN Engineer Rainaline R. Tan, Assistant Vice President for Refinery, Philippine Associated Smelting and Refining Corporation, Leyte (for Cluster 3: COE&T); and Dr. Raymund M. Pasion, Associate Professor of Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (for Cluster 4: CASS, CBAA, SGS, and SDS).
(L-R) DOST-SEI Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo, John Logos G. Guiang,
Anjie Lyn R. Engaño and BPIIF Executive Director Ms. Faye Corcuera
In recognition of their academic standing and research work that revolved around the theme “Building Resilient Cities for Sustainable Development”, two IITians received the BPI-DOST Science Awards on April 4, 2017 at Mind Museum, Taguig City.
BS Biology senior student Anjie Lyn R. Engaño and BS Metallurgical Engineering fourth year student John Logos N. Guiang were recognized together with other 28 young researchers around the country for their scholastic achievement and research work.
Engaño’s “Optimization of Freshwater Microalgae for Phycoremediation in Iligan City” and “Guiang’s Gold Extraction from Historic Mine Operations Tailings by Cyanide Leaching below 53µm” are among the country’s most outstanding research works of the year. The two will present each of their paper on May 23, 2017 at MSU-IIT, Mini-theater for the BPI-DOST Science Award 2017 University Recognition.
The Department of Science and Technology, in partnership with the BPI Foundation, sets up the Science Awards to inspire, recognize, and support the most outstanding young scientists and innovators in the Philippines as it enables a new generation of leaders to generate targeted scientific research and technology which would help future-proof cities around the Philippines to become more resilient to the physical, social, and economic challenges that are a growing part of the 21st century.
Profs. Ellen J. Castro, Jun Karren V. Caparoso and Charity Mulig-Cruz, faculty members of the Department of Science and Mathematics Education and Integrated Developmental School of the College of Education (CEd) attended the Training of Trainers on Inquiry-based Science Teaching Approach at Punta de Fabian Resort, Baras, Rizal on May 5-8, 2015.
The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) conducted the five-day training as part of its STAR (Science Teacher Academy for the Regions) Project.
It aimed to train Science Education professors in the teaching of Science using the Inquiry Approach, which is an important feature of the K to 12 Science Curriculum. Five science teachers of Philippine Science High School-Central Luzon Campus successfully facilitated the training and demonstrated sample lessons and activities on select topics from the K to 12 Science Curriculums in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Space Science and Research/Investigatory Projects for Grades 7 and 8.
Participating in the said activity were the Science Education professors/instructors from Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU-Laoag), West Visayas State University (WVSU), Bicol University (BU), Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and MSU-IIT.
Representatives from the DepEd Regional Offices for Regions I,III,VI, and X of the participating schools were also present. Working in groups, they developed sample inquiry lesson plans which were presented and critiqued. A meaningful discussion which focused primarily on the sequencing of the topics, appropriateness of assessment tools and strategy, and readiness of learners for a certain task followed after every lesson presentation.
Representatives of the participating universities, together with their DepEd regional supervisors, worked on their respective action plan and training design for the regional in-service training which will then be participated by four Master Teachers and one Education Program Supervisor (in Science) from each division of the region.
The Master Teachers, assumed to be representing the four fields of specialization in Science, are expected to echo the training in their respective divisions while the Education Program Supervisors is tasked to provide the necessary support to ensure the success of the activity. For Region X, it was agreed that DepEd Regional Office, through Mr. Marino O. Dal, will communicate with the participants of the echo training and take charge of their accommodation while DOST-SEI shall provide the training materials and food. MSU-IIT will provide the venue and the trainers for the said activity, which is tentatively scheduled on August 12 to 14.
The just concluded training of trainers and the upcoming regional in-service training are just two of the many activities organized by CED and DOST-SEI under the STAR project. Last year, three Mathematics Education faculty members of the college were trained in “Teaching Elementary Math through Problem Solving” and successfully conducted several echo trainings in Regions IX and X.
MSU-IIT is one of the universities which signed a Memorandum of Understanding with DOST-SEI on December 2, 2014 for the STAR Project.
