Highlights for 2009

In the second year of leadership of President Editha L. Magallanes, Capiz State University reinforced its efforts, campaigns and advocacies in most areas of concern. Thus, the year 2009 perhaps saw unparalleled achievements and accomplishments in the areas of instruction, research, extension and production. All these are certainly attributed to effective and efficient administration and governance.

For 2009, Capiz State University submitted its different curricular programs for accreditation to ensure that implementation is based on the standards set and whenever possible, all their course offerings meet the requirements set forth by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP).

Instruction and Academic Affairs

During accreditation, the University’s strengths and potentials for improvement were identified. Forming part of the basis for evaluating the development in the areas covered, the university’s performance indicators motivated the community—administration, faculty, staff and students—to work hard to achieve academic excellence and improve on all aspects of development.

Three campuses of the University submitted programs for accreditation by AACCUP. CapSU Burias presented three curricular programs for accreditation, namely: Bachelor of Science in Commerce (Preliminary Evaluation); the Teacher Education Programs for the Elementary and Secondary (Level II); and Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Level III). CapSU Dumarao also submitted the Bachelor of Science in Criminology and the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine for preliminary evaluation and the Bachelor of Elementary Education for Level II accreditation. CapSU Pontevedra submitted the Elementary and Secondary Teacher Education programs for Level III Accreditation.

For the period in review, the students passing percentage in the licensure examinations for Architecture, Nursing Criminology, Electrical Engineering, Elementary and Secondary Education and Mechanical Engineering given by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) was considered Very Satisfactory. In particular, Rojeh James Tumlos Balahay of Class 2008 placed 5th in the Architecture Board Examinations with an average of 80.80%. According to Dr. Herminia Gomez, Vice-President for Academic Affairs, these and such other achievements were attained because of the proactive administration, the committed faculty and the dynamic student body. Moreover, a number of faculty members across the CapSU system availed themselves of scholarships and fellowship programs locally and internationally, while others financed their own graduate studies across various disciplines.

The eventual operation of the University Printing Press also assured the community of increased production of materials—vital to both operation and instruction. The convenience rendered by the in-house press facilitated the University’s operations and implementation of its varied functions.

Then, under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture and in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the National Agriculture and Fisheries Education System (NAFES) awarded Php1M to benefit the programs in CapSU Burias (agriculture) and CapSU Dayao (fisheries).

A number of students also qualified for the SAFE (Foundation for Safer Athletic Field Environments) Scholarships established in 2000 by then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; while Citizens Battle against Corruption (CIBAC) carried on its scholarships for the University.

Students Services and Programs. During the year, students enjoyed from their participation and attendance in varied trainings in and outside of their campuses. The administration deemed it wise to design activities and link students’ activities to outside agencies and resources to upgrade their knowledge and enhance their skills in varied disciplines.

Campus administrators fully supported the programs on student development. For instance, Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) majors in CapSU Sigma, CapSU Pilar and CapSU Pontevedra joined a string of trainings and crash courses on basic hotel operations, front office procedures and hospitality management in Pasig City and Iloilo City. Tourism faculty and students of CapSU Sigma attended the Tourism Awareness Seminar conducted by the Roxas City Tourism Office and the Human Resource Development Seminar Workshop held in Capiz State University Sigma Campus. The same group of students took part in the 4th Provincial Convention for HRM and Tourism Teachers and Students held in Roxas City.

Then, in support of the regional campaigns by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the 2010 presidential polls, selected students from the campuses joined the Regional Forum on New Voters Registration and Poll Automation held at the West Visayas State University in Iloilo City. In turn, the student leaders chosen for this purpose echoed these orientations to the fellow students in their respective campuses.

Student leaders representing the Supreme Student Councils (SSCs) were also sent to the 7th International Agricultural Engineering (AE) Conference and Exhibition and the 59th Philippine Society of Agricultural Engineers (PSAE) National Convention in April 2009. For their part, student writers and staff of the college campus publications joined the Journalism Seminars and Press Conference spearheaded by the Philippine Information Agency Region 6 in November in Iloilo City.

Students from across the ten campuses took the lead and stole the shows during the Inter-CapSU Meet led by the Capiz State University at the Villareal Stadium in Roxas City in November. The winning performances by students and students groups joined the Regional SCUAA Meet at the West Visayas State University in Iloilo City, where CapSU placed First Runner-up. The winners for the Storytelling Event (CapSU Sigma) and Guitar Playing (CapSU Roxas City) represented the region in the national competitions.

The administration led activities for students to hone their personal, communication and leadership skills through varied activities including the search for Mr and Miss CapSU, SSC meetings and R&D forums and activities. Students also participated in Alay Lakad, beautification and cleanup drives, literary musical tilts, food technology trainings, bowling tournaments and many others.

Aside from giving out scholarships sponsored by CHED, CIBAC and local government units (LGUs), the administration, for the most part, made sure the students were given medical and dental services and provided guidance and counseling sessions.

Capiz State University boasts of able faculty, administrative personnel and staff whose competence and expertise are continually enhanced and reinforced year in, year out. Its human resources profile only attests to the level of efficient administration and quality instruction presently benefiting its constituents.

CapSU System employed a big number of faculty across the province composed of some 80 holders of doctorate degrees and more than a hundred holders of masters’ degrees and a big number of them continuing graduate and post-graduate studies in and outside CapSU system.

CapSU personnel availed themselves of opportunities for enhancement of their skills and potentials. In particular, CapSU faculty and staff attended seminars, workshops, writeshops trainings and similar other activities to update them on recent trends and current issues in the educational system.

Research & Extension

The major achievements for RDE involved efforts in the governance, human resource development and the conduct of massive research activities for the University. For governance, the Research, Development and Extension Center (RDEC) drafted RDE policies that clarified problems involving middle management personnel. The creation of research units in the campuses helped augment the production of R&D output for the University. RDEC likewise facilitated the drafting of manual of the Intellectual Property Right (IPR) Manual which will guide CapSU in securing patents and copyrights for inventions and technologies produced in the University. Most important, RDEC spearheaded the conduct of rigorous R&D activities in the campuses and the University.

The Research, Development and Extension Center (RDEC) launched a continuing education mechanism for R&D managers, research and extension chairpersons from the campuses and faculty and staff. Led by Vice-President for Research & Extension Geronimo L. Gregorio, RDEC hosted consultations and assemblies of the R&D group, where they identified thrusts and priorities and formulated plans and projects to manage and revitalize their respective RDE programs.

Faculty and staff were given maximum opportunities on how to plan for and undertake research projects. Significantly, a number of research proposals produced by this group were forwarded by RDEC to outside funding sources, while small-scale projects were funded by the University.

It is noteworthy to say here that students likewise enjoyed favor from the University as far as Research is concerned. In their junior and senior years, students have been continually challenged to produce noteworthy studies which are worth the funding of the University and other donors. In 2009, CapSU recognized the students’ potentials in putting forth their talents and potentials for real research work by holding the annual Students Research Symposium for the third time. These efforts helped produce outstanding studies which were given recognition and cited in CapSU and by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Region 6.

The “Growth and Survival Rate of Excised Dwarf Coconut Seedlings at Different Stages of Growth,” a study on coconuts by Marie May Molina of the CapSU Burias Campus in Mambusao, Capiz guided by her thesis adviser, Dr. Salvacion J. Legaspi, who is an Agronomy doctorate degree holder from UPLB, clinched the top prize in the regional students’ research competitions sponsored by the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) Region 6 in 2010.

Conducted at CapSU Burias Campus, the study sought to compare the survival and germination rate of the excised coconut seedlings at various stages of growth, identify the stage of seedling growth where it can be excised from the endosperm and determine the weight and copra yield of the left-over endosperm.

Among others, the study’s results were used to recommend that for better survival rate and good growth in terms of height, seedlings with 15–20 cm emerged shoot be used as planting material, because they produce substantial copra yield which can help augment the income of farmers. The research also recommended that good potting media be developed to promote better survival and good growth of the excised seedlings.

Faculty, research managers and staff benefited from the research capability building including a mock training on field sampling and data collection techniques and the echo-seminar of the PASUC 6-sponsored workshop on managerial capabilities held at the West Visayas State University in Iloilo City.

The Research, Development and Extension Center (RDEC) reaped numerous achievements. Among others, the University’s project titled Plantation Development for Enhanced Promotion, Utilization and Commercialization of Dwarf Coconut Cultivars placed 3rd in the Search for the Best Public Sector Project launched by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). University President Editha L. Magallanes, assisted by Vice-President for Research & Extension Geronimo L. Gregorio, received the citation and prize from President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo herself during the awarding rites in May 2009 in Bacolod City.

Capiz State University also performed very well in R&D symposiums and reviews. For the 21st National Research Symposium led by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics under the Department of Agriculture, CapSU RDEC submitted its official entry titled “Nut Characterization of Dwarf Coconut Cultivars as Quality Determinants for Industrial Utilization and Commercialization” for the Research category.

In the 19th Regional Symposium on R&D Highlights by the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC), RDEC’s entry titled “Identifying Inherent Characteristics of Tall Coconut Cultivars As Indices for Economic and Industrial Uses” placed second in the Research category; while the “Seedling Characteristics, Germination and Growth of Selected Dwarf Coconut Cultivars with Husk Removal Treatments” topped the poster category.

During the first PASUC 6’s Regional Symposium on R&D Highlights held in Iloilo City, four of CapSU’s R&D papers topped the research, development and the natural and biological research categories. Furthermore, staff from the Research, Development and Extension Center (RDEC) joined roundtable discussions on climate change, waste management and mitigation and adaptation.

During the year, Vice-President for Research & Extension Geronimo L. Gregorio likewise extended services as evaluator in the In-house Review conducted by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit 6.

Meanwhile, the Capiz State University Extension Institute listed a total of 2,843 trainees in the first District and 1,498 beneficiaries in the Second District all in the province of Capiz. Materials produced included Techno Gabay guides, farming technology primers and similar IEC materials.

Extension units from across the campuses launched literacy campaigns, Alay sa Kapwa gift-giving, health and biosecurity advocacies, medical and dental missions in rural communities, livestock management and production seminars, veterinary mobile clinics, product presentations and livestock production briefers, among many others.

In particular, the Mobile Technology Schools (MTS) allowed the Capiz State University to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and was formally signed in October 2009. Soon after its inception, the initiative benefited a big number of out-of-school youths from selected municipalities in the province of Capiz.

The various campuses likewise led livelihood trainings including those on meat processing, fish deboning, commercial cooking, electricity, waste management and vegetable gardening. Faculty members and extension personnel also conducted literacy classes on basic education and nutrition.

And to facilitate easy interconnectivity in the communities, CapSU’s Management Information Systems (MIS) assisted the Department of Education (DepEd) in the acquisition of computer units for their faculty and students, which benefited six schools in the first and second district of Capiz.

The University strengthened linkage and partnerships with government agencies like TESDA, Department of Science and Technology, WESVARRDEC, NEDA, Department of Trade and Industry and the province of Capiz.

Production

The Capiz State University’s Business Affairs Office (UBAO) headed by Dr. Pedro Gavino facilitated the production and income generation for the Capiz State University for the period in review. For 2009, the University drew income from rice and crops production including sugar cane, lumber, coconut, banana, and vegetables nursery. CapSU’s fishery resources including bangus, tilapia, prawns and crabs from the campuses of Pontevedra, Sapian and Dayao posted a high 914,572 worth of revenues. It also profited from rattan, orchards and charcoal and collected hefty receipts from rentals, canteens, dormitory fees and similar services. All these production areas generated income of approximately PhP3M for the year.

This year, the Capiz State University’s Business Affairs Office (UBAO) headed by Dr. Pedro Gavino coordinated with the NEDA Regional to conduct training on proposal making for funding purposes. Faculty members from across the campuses joined the writeshop that generated KR2 proposals for approval by NEDA. CapSU Dayao’s Dr. Edna Nava wrote a proposal on Bangus Processing Project; Dr. Bede Ozaraga of CapSU Dumarao proposed for Goat Demo Farm and Training Center; while Dr. Guillermo Legada of CapSU Burias finished a proposal on mushroom production. To date, the last of the proposals submitted got the nod of the granting agency.

Under the mushroom production project approved for KR2 funding by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Capiz State University Burias Campus in Mambusao, Capiz aims to facilitate the production of mushroom and mushroom spawns which will be sold to farmers at reasonable cost. The same project will also adopt the needed technologies to increase the production and utilization of this crop. CapSU Burias will also work with the local government units in Mambusao, Capiz to fully implement the project. The project’s first two years will be funded by KR2 while the last two years will be allowed to cover up the investment. At the end of the four-year project, CapSU forecasts P900,000 profit.  At this writing, the CapSU mushroom production project is in its pre-implementation phase.

In particular, the project will produce straw and oyster mushroom and their spawns. In the course of the project, the implementers will train some 300 mushroom producers and product entrepreneurs. It will also employ additional personnel but most importantly generate research results and income for the University to sustain mushroom research and production.

The P1.8M project seeks to benefit mushroom producers and consumers and the CapSU community as well. The mushroom project will facilitate the construction of media preparation house and growing house, the procurement of equipment and materials needed for mushroom and spawn production. It will conduct training for mushroom producers and product entrepreneurs before, during and after the project implementation.

Dr. Guillermo Legada, current graduate school dean at CapSU Mambusao, heads the project; and Prof. Emelita Solante will undertake the production activities and implement the laboratory activities.