posted May 24, 2012 4:32 AM by Ricky Bulalakaw
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updated May 24, 2012 4:35 AM
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Cleve Kevin Robert V. Arguelles, a fourth year BA Political Science student of the College of Arts and Sciences - UP Manila, was chosen by the General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC) of the University of the Philippines as the next Student Regent in a meeting in UP Los Banos Wednesday.
Arguelles served as Vice Chairperson of the University Student Council in A.Y. 2011-2012.
Arguelles bested UP Diliman's Marjohara Tucay and UP Los Banos' Ma. Elena Carlos who were also nominated for the said post. He garnered 15 of the 16 votes from all student councils in the UP system.
He will be succeeding outgoing Student Regent, Hon. Krissy Conti from the College of Law, UP Diliman.
Report of Department of Social Sciences |
posted Apr 19, 2012 5:38 PM by Ricky Bulalakaw
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updated May 10, 2012 6:50 PM
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Sy, the College's "Most Outstanding Student" who got a general weighted average of 1.18, bested 14 magna cum laude and 86 cum laude graduates. He is a student of BA Behavioral Sciences program.
He will also be speaking before the 103rd UP Manila Commencement Exercise tomorrow at the Phillippine International Convention Center as the only student graduating summa cum laude for this batch.
Aside from Sy, two other graduates recognized were Muhammad Muktadir "Mudir" Estrella, College Student Council Chairperson, for being the "Most Oustanding Student Leader;" and Deseree Mangulabnan for being the "Most Outstanding Student Artist."
Estrella is from the BA Political Science program while Mangulabnan is from the BA Philippine Arts program.
In his message for the graduating students, Dean Reynaldo Imperial, whose term ends December of this year, expressed his appreciation to his management team and the CAS constituents as it was his last recognition program as Dean.
Dr. Jaime Montoya, executive director of the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST), was the guest of honor and speaker. | Proud Parents. Tyrone Reden Sy, CAS Most Outstanding Student for 2012, pose briefly after receiving his recognition together with his parents. |
posted Apr 1, 2012 10:07 PM by Ricky Bulalakaw
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updated Apr 2, 2012 1:42 AM
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In support of the University’s policy of using free and open source software (FOSS) and to facilitate the transition from using proprietary to open source applications, the College of Arts and Sciences held a training seminar on FOSS, Ubuntu Linux and LibreOffice for the administrative staff last 28-29 March 2012.
Dr. Romeo Villarta, Director of the Information Management Service (IMS), in his opening remarks talked about the University’s need to use FOSS and the current programs of the IMS on the implementation of changing the operating system of computers which do not have licensed software.
“Source” or “source code” refers to the set of instructions a programmer writes which the computer will follow. Most popular software, like Microsoft’s Windows operating system and Microsoft Office Suite, are closed-source or proprietary software, meaning their source codes are developed privately by their companies.
In order for consumers to use proprietary software, they have to buy license to use the application, and the license is only for using the software. Consumers are not allowed to change its code.
On the other hand, free and open source software, like Linux, Ubuntu and LibreOffice, refers to software or applications whose source code are open for the public to see, use, change according to their preferences and needs, and even copy and share.
This writer, who facilitated the training, discussed using the Ubuntu Linux for managing files and connecting to the internet; using LibreOffice Writer and Calc; and basic information security.
Aside from lecture, participants were given exercises to test their understanding and reinforce the skills they learned. The participants were also able to talk about their offices’ specific IT needs.
Dean Reynaldo Imperial closed the program by sharing the University’s vision of paperless transactions in the future and his hope that the College will take the lead in this idea. He also expressed his appreciation for the active participation of the staff before giving their certificates.
The Office of the Chancellor provided the budget for the training and the IMS assigned specialists to ensure correctness of the content. |
posted Mar 5, 2012 9:39 PM by Ricky Bulalakaw
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updated Mar 6, 2012 12:33 AM
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University of the Philippines Manila – College of Arts and Sciences, through the Department of Behavioral Sciences, held the first National Conference on Behavioral Sciences with the theme “Synergy in Action” on 24-25 February 2012 at Buenafe Auditorium, College of Medicine.
Chancellor Manuel Agulto opened the conference with a message appreciating the role of behavioral science in promoting health and overcoming diseases. He notes that "among Filipinos, the leading contributors to death and diseases are behaviorally-related factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, improper diet, lack of physical fitness and exercises, and other lifestyle-related practices. Effective public health programs to help people maintain and improve health, reduce disease risks, and manage illnesses usually require behavior change which is not achieved overnight."
"Thus, this conference is very welcome and should encourage and inspire follow-up undertaking, whether through continuing education activities, research, training or advocacy pursuits," he said.
The conference, co-organized with De La Salle University-Taft and University of Santo Tomas, had 2 plenary sessions which gave an overview of behavioral science education among the three universities offering the the behavioral science program; and 12 parallel sessions during which students presented their theses.
While UP Manila, DLSU-Taft and UST are the only universities offering behavioral science degree, students and faculty from other schools joined the event which coincided with the 26th EDSA Anniversary.
Palatino: Privileged education must serve needs of community In his keynote address, Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond “Mong” Palatino asserted that “The challenge to Behavioral Science students is to popularize the theoretical tools you are using in the academe so that other social institutions like the media can be effective agents of enlightenment and not disinformation.”
He continued, “The “privileged education should always serve the needs of the larger community.”
He said, “Our discussions shouldn’t be divorced from the real problems encountered by our subjects. We can’t speak in esoteric academic language all the time because the impact of our researches must be explained in clear and unambiguous terms to policymakers and the general public.”
He then focused on two behavioral science-related policy reforms the K-12 and the Congress-initiated Education Commission to review the Philippine education.
Speaking on K-12, he said, “Curriculum design is the most politically important aspect of public education but the people are often not democratically consulted on this matter. Technocrats and bureaucrats always decide which subjects should be taught inside schools. Therefore, the Behavioral Sciences camp must make representation to advocate the inclusion of Behavioral Science concepts in the general education curriculum.”
Congressman Palatino told the audience that “You must be part of the curriculum review team so that the obsessive desire to excel in science and mathematics can be balanced by the equally important goal of producing young graduates who have strong backgrounds in history, culture, and social sciences.”
He also said he does not agree with the “viewpoint that the task of education is merely job preparation. It should be more than that. The role of schools and teachers is still to educate a new breed of ‘total’ persons, critical thinking persons, who can contribute to the advance of civilization. Social sciences, including behavioral sciences, are essential components in the holistic development of a person.”
On the Educational Commission, or Edcom 2, he said this is a chance to review the orientation of Philippine education.
“The market-driven character of the country’s higher education is a major weakness which should be rectified. We are actually supplying the manpower needs of other nations and big foreign corporations which are based here instead of addressing the specific requirements of the local economy,” said the youth partylist representative.
He concludes his talk with a reminder that “The academe must not insulate itself from the real world; it must aim to change the world.”
Plenary and Parallel Sessions Congressman Palatino's talk was followed by presentations of the three different three universities offering behavioral science.
Mr. Ferdinand Magkasi, coordinator of the BA Behavioral Science program of UST, said that their program is mostly industry-focused, and thus, is geared towards human resource management and development.
Dr. Stella Go, chairperson of the Department of Behavioral Sciences of DLSU, shared the inter-disciplinary nature of their program. She also said that the current challenge is in sustaining their graduate program as there are few people interested in the discipline.
Dr. Laurie Ramiro, former chairperson of DBS and current Convenor of the Manila Studies Program, presented the transdisciplinary approach and how this approach is applied to the BA Behavioral Sciences program of UP Manila.
The conference had four sub-themed parallel sessions, such as “Discipline across Borders,” “Serving Humanity,” “Challenges in Behavioral Sciences,” and “Directions in Behavioral Sciences.”
There were 12 sessions in total where selected student participants presented their thesis findings and guest faculty lecturers talked about different behavior sciences-related issues and topics, such as research, ethics, and contemporary socio-cultural issues.
The conference was concluded by a summary delivered by the three presidents of the academic societies from the three universities and the turning over of the responsibility of the next conference to the next university, UST.
Related Links: |
posted Feb 26, 2012 8:09 PM by Ricky Bulalakaw
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updated Feb 27, 2012 2:25 AM
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What is the role of the College of Arts and Sciences in Chancellor Manuel Agulto's vision of UP Manila, “Entrepreneurial Research University?" What can CAS do?
Dr. Leo Cubillan, Special Assistant to the Chancellor, answered this question and other questions of the CAS Management Team when he discussed the UP Manila Strategic Action Plan during the inauguration of the Faculty Conference Room on 15 February 2012.
Speaking for Dr. Abundio Balgos, Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development, Dr. Cubillan said that the Chancellor envisions UP Manila as an entrepreneurial research university that is: - Globally competitive and nationally relevant university while upholding the tradition of academic and research excellence;
- Excellent academically and operationally through a combination of innovative research work, enriched curricula, and dependable public service;
- Administratively efficient and has creative means to gain financial sustainability while retaining government support.
Dr. Cubillan suggested to CAS the following specific steps to contribute to and achieve being an entrepreneurial research university: - Create an innovation/invention incubator
- Appoint an entrepreneurship committee
- Do a baseline audit/survey on existing resources
- Coordinate with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development
He clarified that the University needs to change not because “something is broke,” but because “Our education is not primed for the future” and “Our curriculum does not fit our faculty or our students.”
Dr. Cubillan cited educational development frameworks, including University of Oxford's Triple Helix Model of Higher Education, Government and Private Sector Partnership; and the National University of Singapore's Entrepreneurial University Model as starting point of the framework adopted by UP Manila.
Briefly sharing the change process of an eagle to pass the 40-year old stage to reach 70 years of lifespan, Dr. Cubillan went on to the TORCH framework which was earlier discussed in the University's strategic planning workshop.
TORCH refers to Technological advancement; Operational efficiency; Relevant research; Community orientation and service; and, Human resource development.
Focusing on CAS, Dr. Cubillan recommended that the College look into ways of entrepreneurship from academic, research and extension works, such as copyrights for teaching modules, royalties from published books, income from postgraduate courses and training workshops and income from other creative works. Informal InaugurationDr. Leo Cubillan poses with Dean Reynaldo Imperial and Dr. Alex Gonzaga in the brief informal inauguration of the Faculty Conference Room right after his talk on UP Manila as an Entrepreneurial Research University. Dr. Cubillan also answered questions from the audience, including DSS faculty members Prof. John Ponsaran, Prof. Jerome Ong, and Student Council Chair Mudir Estrella. |
posted Feb 4, 2012 3:29 AM by Ricky Bulalakaw
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updated Feb 6, 2012 5:07 PM
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"CAS faculty members are impressive."
This was the feedback to Dean Reynaldo Imperial by Dr. Herminia Torres, Vice President,
Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU), during his meeting when PAASCU held its preliminary visit last 30-31 January 2012.
Activist student organizations, led by the CAS Student Council, on the other hand, welcomed the PAASCU delegation with with posters and flyers criticizing their credibility to evaluate a public educational institution and labeling the accreditation process as "threat to academic freedom."
The preliminary survey is the first in a series of observations and assessments to be done by PAASCU for the accreditation of the degree programs which volunteered to be accredited, namely, BA Behavioral Sciences, BS Biology, BS Biochemistry and BS Computer Science. Student consultationAccreditors of the computer science program meet with BS Computer Science students to ask their inputs on how the their program can be improved.
History Undergoing PAASCU accreditation did not come from a hasty decision among CAS administrators. Quite the contrary, it was a slow and careful decision-making process borne out of the desire to improve the capability of the College to excel in its three functions (teaching, research and public service).
It started when the Office of the Dean conducted a seminar workshop on knowledge management on 19 September 2008.
The workshop was the first time the college realized the need for an overall assessment, not just of the faculty and their capabilities, but also of the support systems required to enhance the learning process. This led to the creation of the Institutional Strategic Planning Committee and series of round-table discussions (RTDs) on a number of topics affecting all departments.
Based on the outputs of the RTDs, the ISPC organized the faculty conference on 8 to 9 April 2009 which discussed organizational issues affecting teaching and centered around the theme of knowledge sharing. Among the resolutions of the conference was the need for a general assessment of the College, including the learning environment and support structures.
This resulted to a consultation meeting with then Chancellor Ramon Arcadio on 9 September 2009 to survey various evaluation methods available to the College, including internal or self-assessment, external accreditation and benchmarking.
Internal assessment means the institution itself will conduct its own assessment. The College utilized the tool given by PAASCU as a guide for conducting the self-assessment prior to the preliminary survey.
Benchmarking, on the other hand, means an institution will get another institution which offers the same program to compare best practices. Dr. Arcadio, however, is concerned with its difficulty because the evaluating institution may not have the tools for review yet. Also, the two institutions have yet to agree on what areas will be assessed. This may lead to biased results as the institution needing evaluation may only agree to be assessed on areas that they perceive they are good at while ignoring areas that need improvement.
The Department of Social Sciences expressed intent to pursue this method for its own programs during the meeting of the faculty with Dr Arcadio in 2009. He expressed support for this method via financial support as soon as the proposal was submitted by the Department.
External accreditation, to which PAASCU belongs, means an accrediting body will do the assessment, based on the institution’s stated vision, mission and functions, using an internationally accepted assessment tool.
PAASCU is accredited by CHED and a member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE). It also has linkages with the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a private, nonprofit national organization that coordinates accreditation activity in the United States.
Preliminary Visit Ten accreditors and representatives from PAASCU did the preliminary survey, which included documentary inspection, interviews with college administrators, students and faculty discussions and direct observation.
Their survey was divided into three areas: Common Areas, College of Arts and Sciences, and Computer Science.
Common Areas, which consist of university community involvement, physical plan, and student services, were observed by Mr. Albert Oasan (Faculty, San Beda College), Mr. Don Amorsolo (Professor, University of the East) and Mrs. Chloe Ramos (Grants Officer, St. Scholastica's College).
College of Arts and Sciences, which included Faculty, Instruction and Laboratories, was observed by Dr Rebecca Torres (Vice President for Academics, Ateneo de Naga University), Dr. Ma. Lourdes Bautista (Professor Emeritus, DLSU), and Mr. Don Amorsolo.
Computer Science, also consisting of faculty, instruction and laboratories, was observed by Mr. Vicente Antonio Pijano III (Senior Consultant, Center for International Cooperation, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands) and Dr. Nelson Marcos (Faculty, DLSU-Taft).
Dr. Herminia Torres, PAASCU Vice President, interviewed Dean Imperial on administration and the College MVG.
The accreditors will submit their feedback to CAS to work on the areas that need improvement.
Reactions While students of the four degree programs were consulted prior to the decision to undergo PAASCU accreditation, activist student organizations, such as Anakbayan, League of Filipino Students, and the CAS Student Council, view PAASCU accreditation as a threat to academic freedom.
CAS-SC officers, in particular, charge the CAS administration of deciding to undergo PAASCU accreditation without student consultation.
The Department of Social Sciences also expressed their dissent through a Facebook note.
The note points out that the accreditation process runs against academic autonomy and integrity of the University as a public university and that it will make the College subordinate to standards of quality used for private universities.
Aside from displaying posters, the College Student Council staged a brief program right outside the Little LT (RH 303), where the student and faculty consultation meetings were held on the second day (see left). |
posted Dec 22, 2011 8:07 AM by Ricky Bulalakaw
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updated Dec 22, 2011 9:06 AM
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Sixteen students from two Korean universities passed the first run of the English Language and Cultural Enrichment Program (ELCEP) concluded 9 December 2011.
Nam Miso, whose English name is Erica, topped the first batch with an average grade of 90 from the five modules. She is one of six students from Kunsan National University, while the other 10 students are from Sungkyul University.
Academic Component
Designed particularly for Korean university students, ELCEP is a program wherein participants undergo three-hour instruction handled by UP Manila faculty and then interact with select UP Manila students for two hours every day.
Participants are given the opportunity to interact with UP Manila students, called 'communication coaches,' to practice their English and communication skills in everyday situations, as well as learn Philippine culture as experienced by UP Manila students.
Faculty members from the Department of Arts and Communication and the Department of Behavioral Sciences jointly handled the instruction of the students in five modules. DAC handled the English modules on Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing, while the DBS handled the Culture module.
For the English component, the teachers were Prof. Celia Bonilla (Writing), Prof. Carolina Pulumbarit (Speaking), Alice Adeva (Reading), and Dr. Diana Agbayani (Listening).
Prof. Andrea Martinez handled the Culture Module.
Prof. Mishima Miciano, faculty member of DAC, headed the academic part of ELCEP and organized the team who wrote the language modules.
Management and Support
ELCEP is a joint undertaking of UP Manila-CAS and Subiclanguage Learning Center. SLC handles the non-academic needs and support functions of the Program, such as dormitory and travel arrangements, while the College administers instruction of students and arranges assignment of student buddies.
The program highlights one of the strengths of the College faculty. It is managed by the Office of the Dean through the Coordinator for Continuing Education, Prof. Laufred Hernandez, who also serves as Program Manager of ELCEP.
Related Links: |
posted Dec 15, 2011 10:55 PM by Ricky Bulalakaw
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updated Dec 15, 2011 11:23 PM
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With the University's theme, "Payapang Pasko, Puspos ng Pag-asa," the Christmas Committee started the celebration with lighting of the facade of the Rizal Hall. The facade, which featured the diorama of the birth of Baby Jesus had models which look like giant candles. Hanging above the diorama is a white dove. The candle-like model is an allusion to the symbol of hope, while the white dove symbolizes peace. The facade was built by BS Biology students and the sub-committee was chaired by Prof. Samuel Go.
On 8 December, the College held "Adopt-a-Ward" program for the Adult Male Ward of PGH. Adopt-a-Ward is a University-wide Christmas celebration wherein the different units of UP Manila hold a short program for the different patients of the PGH. On 9 December, the different units of the College - including administrative staff and faculty members - performed in the first CAS Christmas Variety Show.
With the theme, "Magical Christmas," even the Office of the Dean (together with the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Office of the Associate Dean for Planning and Development), and the Office of the College Secretary performed for the students of CAS.
The Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics won first prize, followed by the Department of Behavioral Sciences and then by the Department of Arts and Communication.
In the following week, the College Christmas Committee held various preparations for the UP Manila Lantern Parade, including technical rehearsal for the cheering of the CAS contingent. The college lantern, which featured four stacked boxes, features painting of the common images of Christmas such as the Holy Family. Dean Reynaldo Imperial led the group with a simple dance step taught by four CAS students. While the College did not win in the competition, the CAS organized the largest contingent in the UP Manila parade, according to one UP Manila Christmas Celebration Committee member. The CAS Student Council, chaired by Mr. Mudir Estrella, built the CAS lantern and was in charge of the cheering during the parade itself. Photos in Google+
posted Dec 14, 2011 10:04 PM by Ricky Bulalakaw
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updated Jan 1, 2012 7:50 PM
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More than 250 participants from graduate degree programs all over the country joined the first National Conference on Graduate Studies in the Arts and Sciences organized by the College held 10 to 11 December 2011 at the Heritage Hotel, Manila. With the theme, "Bridging Theory and Practice in Graduate Studies towards National Development," the Conference aimed at: - Undertaking graduate scholarly exchanges on the various of domains in arts and sciences that directly deal with nation-building and development;
- Developing bench markers in national development through evidence-based graduate researches in arts and sciences;
- Assisting the national government in academic intervention plans in fulfilling the graduate studies needs for nation-building and development.
Plenary speakers included Dr. Catherine Castaneda of the Commission on Higher Education, Dr. Eva Maria Cutiongco-dela Paz from the National Institutes of Health, Mr. Ino Manalo from National Archives, and Prof. Leonor Briones from the University of the Philippines Diliman. Parallel sessions on Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities, Communication, Behavioral Sciences, Management and Governance, and Sciences were held during the two days, during which 35 presentations were delivered by faculty from graduate degree programs from various higher educational institutions.
The department chairpersons of CAS composed the scientific committee of the Conference and screened the research abstracts submitted by the participants before they were approved for presentation in panel sessions or for poster display.
The Conference was organized by the Graduate Program of the Arts and Sciences with Dean Reynaldo Imperial as Conference Convenor, and was sponsored by CHED and the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development - Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST).
Relevant Links:
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posted Dec 5, 2011 8:09 PM by Ricky Bulalakaw
Manila Studies Program, in partnership with the Office of the Dean, CAS, held the “Writeshop for Research and Publication” for CAS faculty members last 24-29 November 2011 at the Alumni Conference Room. The writeshop was facilitated by the Dr. Laurie S. Ramiro, MSP Convenor, and Dr. Leonardo Estacio Jr., Chair of the Department of Behavioral Sciences. The attendees consist of faculty members from DPSM, DB, DPE, and DAC who are already done with their research and would like to publish them. Mentors included Dr. Noel Quiming, faculty of DPSM and UP Scientist I; Dr. Ramiro and Dr. Estacio. The mentors guided the CAS faculty in the preparation of the manuscripts they will submit to pre-identified local or international peer-reviewed journals. Each participant chose a journal they are interested in and made a draft based on the guidelines set by the publication. The attendees focused more on writing, revising and rewriting their papers while their mentors and facilitators monitored their progress day by day. The researches for publication drafted during the writeshop range from topics on environment to medical conditions such as cerebral palsy. MSP conducts seminars and workshops on research in line with the thrust of the University of becoming a research university. With report from Ms. Junz Celoy, MSP. |
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