From July 16 to 23, 2024, a diverse group of participants comprised of senior high school students, college students, faculty members, and researchers from across the Bicol region attended the second installment of the Marine Conservation and Restoration Summer Camp at the Partido State University College of Sustainable Communities and Ecosystems (Caramoan Campus).

The week-long activity included lectures, workshops, and educational field demonstrations on mangroves, corals, fishes, seaweeds, and seagrasses ecosystems designed to give participants pivotal knowledge and skills on biodiversity assessment. The hands-on learning approach during the camp allowed the participants to actively engage with the subject matter.  A culminating activity where participants presented their collected data was also conducted as part of the week-long camp activity.

Resource speakers were Mr.  Jaspher R. Nieves, MSc, and Ms.  Divina P. Chica who covered lectures on mangroves; Mr. Raul B. Burce, MSc, and Mr. Ronnel A. Dioneda, Jr.on corals and fishes; Mr. Eljenmer L. Sindo, RFP highlighted the topic on seaweeds while Dr. Michael A. Clores discussed about seagrasses. They also facilitated the workshops and fieldwork activities during the camp. The lecture provided the participants with basic concepts related to each ecosystem and the workshops allowed them to have an overview of the biodiversity assessment unique to each of the ecosystems. Moreover, the educational fieldwork demonstrations in Tabgon, Paniman, and Guijalo — all in Caramoan, Camarines Sur — allowed the participants to collect data, which they presented during the data presentation. Mr. Cyrus Job Dela Cruz, MSc; Mr.  Reyland Alegroso, RFP, and Mr. Diomerl Edward B. Baldo, MSc, were invited to provide feedback and critique the presentation.

These activities align with the Futures Thinking programs and initiatives of the college and the University for Sustainable Marine Ecosystems allowing the participants to discern an overview of the probable and possible futures of these ecosystems and the preferred futures they want. At the end of the activity, a strong call for action was emphasized, underlining the urgent need for the conservation, protection, and management of these vital ecosystems.

Article by Eljenmer L. Sindo, photos by Bryan V. Barillo

Partido State University (ParSU) has joined with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for the Bicol Archaeological Project (BAP) Field Season 2024, to strengthen international collaboration and student engagement.  The Bicol Archaeological Project is a collaborative initiative involving University of California, Los Angeles, the Archdiocese of Caceres, Partido State University, and Local Government Units in Camarines Sur.

The BAP season 2024 ran for 5 weeks from June 26 to July 22, 2024, and included six field sites in the Bicol region: Barangay Binanuahan, Lagonoy; Barangay Binanwaanan, Pili; Binanuahan, Caramoan; Binanuaanan Grande and Binanuaanan Pequeño, Calabanga; and Barangay Binanuahan, Pilar, Sorsogon.

Headed by its Principal Investigator, Dr. Stephen Acabado; Field Supervisor, Earl John Hernandez and the crew for this year's field season, ParSU Faculty member and Museo de Isarog- Director, Karen Eyre Moshie O. Artiaga; ParSU students, Alyssa Jane Celso, Eloizah Reigne Competente, Philip Herrero, Laica Belleza; University of the Philippines- Baguio student, Nica Jean Tanzo; UCLA-graduate, Aidan Choi and, UCLA PhD candidate, Yen Chun Wang.

Under an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with UCLA, ParSU faculty and students are being trained in multidisciplinary research methodologies. The ParSU faculty and students that participated in the project had the opportunity to look at the technologies used in research such as Geographic Information System (GIS) and other remote sensing methods. Their involvement underscores the MOU's commitment to providing comprehensive research training and fostering international academic collaboration aligning to the university’s mission.

As the field season progresses, the collaborative efforts of ParSU, UCLA, and their partners are expected to yield further studies and foster a deeper understanding of Bicol's historical and cultural legacy. The BAP Field Season 2024 promises to be a transformative experience for all involved, paving the way for future collaborations and advancements in the field of archaeology.

The Partido State University College of Sustainable of Sustainable Communities and Ecosystems (Caramoan campus) unveiled its newly accoutred state-of-the-art Conservation and Restoration Ecology Laboratory (CaRE Lab) through a ribbon-cutting and blessing ceremony on June 3, 2024.

The event was attended by the Commission on Higher Education V Regional Director, Atty. Septon A. Dela Cruz, and the university officials including SUC President III, Dr. Arnel B. Zarcedo; Vice President for Research, Extension, and Knowledge Management, Prof. Patricia M. Candelaria; Vice President for Administration and Finance, Prof. Charlie V. Balagtas; and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Michael A. Clores. Also present during the event were the college deans, students, and faculty members of the campus.

Dr. Clores, the project leader of the lab, extended the gratitude of the university to the Commission on Higher Education Institutional Development and Innovation Grants (CHED IDIG), the Leading the Advancement of Knowledge in Agriculture and Sciences program of CHED (CHED LAKAS), and the internal funding from the university for their support in the research undertakings of the college during his message. He also acknowledged the efforts the faculty and staff who played significant roles in the successful fund acquisition, procurement, and equipment installation.

CHED V Regional Director, Atty. Septon commended the proactive initiative of the college in providing quality education by equipping students with state-of-the-art tools and laboratory equipment. He also recognized the research-oriented goal of the university, not only by having many known researchers in the Bicol region but also by looking for ways and means to complement and enhance existing laboratories, which is imperative for more research activities. He also stressed the need for researchers to submit proposals for potential funding to expand research opportunities.

The newly procured equipment includes a spectrophotometer, compound and stereo microscopes, flow hoods, muffle furnace, centrifuge, incubator, gel electrophoresis, UV transilluminator, and water bath shaker, among others. The laboratory is also equipped with essential fieldwork gear, such as vests, high-cut and low-cut booties, snorkeling gear, and materials and supplies for the conduct of biodiversity assessments.

This event marks a significant step towards realizing the vision of the campus to have a science lab to enhance the quality of learning of the students pursuing a BS in Biology major in conservation and restoration ecology (BS BIOCRE). The initiative also aligns with the vision and mission of Partido State University to offer quality instruction and become a premier research institution in the Bicol region.

-Eljenmer L. Sindo

Partido State University (ParSU) Quality Management System (QMS) successfully hosted a seminar-workshop on Completed Staff Work (CSW): Delivering Results Effectively on June 13, 2024, Thursday. The event took place at the ParSU Board Room attended by the first batch of administrative staff from various departments, including Top Management, General Administration and Support Services (GASS), Research and Extension Office, Support to Operations (STO), and Colleges and Campuses (Academics).

The primary objective of the seminar-workshop was to equip participants with the essential knowledge, attitude, and skills needed to effectively prepare, develop, coordinate, and communicate completed work. Resource speakers, Ms. Monette A. Espia, Ms. Leih Anne R. Odoño, and Ms. Cherrylyn R. Castro, delivered insightful lectures on the subject matter.

Following the lectures, participants were divided into ten groups for the workshop. Each group focused on different areas such as reports or proposals for approval/confirmation on new academic programs, curriculum revisions, applications for COD/COE, academic partnerships, budget proposals, bidded project awards, research and extension programs, income-generating projects, strategic plan developments, employee appointments, policies and guidelines, performance monitoring, failure mode and effects analysis, quality objectives, strategic/action plans, and work instructions.

The workshop provided a platform for participants to enhance their analytical skills by considering all viable courses of action and presenting solutions in a finished form that could be approved or disapproved by the head/chief of office/unit. Ultimately, this would contribute to improving public service delivery.

ParSU QMS remains committed to supporting the continual improvement of the management system and fostering a culture of quality and excellence in instruction, research, and extension services. Through its programs and activities, ParSU QMS aims to nurture this culture within the public sector.

By empowering professionals with CSW strategies, ParSU QMS endeavors to drive productivity and ensure the highest standards of service delivery.