Driven by the goal of engaging the management team, faculty members, and non-teaching personnel in capacity-building activities, the Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Dasmariñas (KLD) held its Employees’ Development Activities (EDA) on January 8-12, 2024. It is a five-day program, facilitated by the Office of the Vice-President for Research, Mission, and External Affairs.
Two experts in the field of education were invited as resource persons for the first day of the event. In the morning session, Dr. Almira G. Alcawas, Director of Extension Services of the Cavite State University-Indang Campus, delivered a talk on planning, implementing, and evaluating institution’s extension programs. She discussed with the KLD management team, faculty members, and staff about extension approaches, strategies, methods, projects, and modalities.
“Extension involves communicating, persuading, and helping specific sectors,” Dr. Alcawas underlined during the session. She also added that in CVSU, they primarily focus on socially and economically disadvantaged sectors of the society. Dr. Alcawas further emphasized that implementing a specific project in two or more communities at the same time may not work since they have different resources and capacities.
It is important that an extension project is customized based on the specific needs of the community.
Dr. Emily D. Dicolen, College Secretary and Chair of the Office of Curriculum and Instruction of the National Teacher Training Center of the University of the Philippines-Manila, opened the afternoon session with her hashtag, “Nasaktan, subalit hindi wasak,” introducing the notion of appreciative resilience. As an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) champion, Dr. Dicolen pointed out the importance of looking deliberately for what is appreciating.
“Daanan mo lang, huwag mong tambayan,” said Dr. Dicolen as she accentuated some coping strategies on how to be resilient and deal with stressful situations without sacrificing the quality of work. Fostering appreciative resilience in a newly established higher institution such as KLD is a way to improving employees’ personal and professional qualities and skills towards productivity and success of the institution.
The lessons, insights, and experiences gained from both sessions are significant foundations for KLD administrators, faculty members, and staff in strengthening a sense of appreciation, resilience and commitment, and in building a sustainable future for the entire community of the City of Dasmariñas.
KLD is dedicated to contribute to the social and economic development of the City of Dasmariñas through its community-based extension programs and activities.
Day 2: UPLB professors deliver lectures on publishable research paper and research ethics
The second day of EDA 2024 focused on comprehensive discussions about how to select appropriate journals for publication, write publishable research paper, and establish a research ethics committee.
Prof. Vachel Gay Paller of the Institute of Biological Sciences- University of the Philippines Los Banos shared some writing tips and the nitty-gritty of research paper writing and publication for KLD faculty members and researchers during the morning session.
“As a researcher, it is our responsibility to communicate the results of our study, to add knowledge to science and for policy formulation towards addressing societal problems,” Prof. Paller explained. She also highlighted the significance of publishing a research paper and collaborating with other experts across disciplines.
Dr. Mark Oliver Llangco, Co-Chair of UPLB Research Ethics Board, discussed ethical research involving human participants. Since KLD is pushing through the establishment of research ethics committee, Dr. Llangco gave pieces of advice for the institution.
“A research is ethical if it has scientific merit and integrity, concern for welfare, and respect for persons and communities,” Dr. Llangco said.
Days 3 and 4: KLD administrators, academic deans present institute plans and activities
On the third day, Dr. Fe Compas, OIC Vice President for Academic Affairs, discussed the faculty manual and academic services, including the learning resource center, admission, and alumni affairs and placement.
This was followed by the presentation of topics related to enrollment, grading system, and change of grade by Assoc. Prof. Ma. Victoria Balbio, College Registrar.
All institute deans also laid down the institute plans, future activities, and roadmaps during their presentations.
Day 5: Administrators, faculty, staff conduct team-building activity
The fifth day of EDA 2024 was a team-building activity for all KLD employees, which happened at the Caliraya Resort Club in Lumban, Laguna. The activity program started with a dance exercise led by Asst. Prof. Oscar Bucad, Employees’ Wellness and Development Officer.
This was followed by the briefing of Caliraya facilitators. All teams, likewise, vied for the “Best Team Chant.” The competition among all teams continued during the Amazing Race, as they leap over obstacles, work together, and race to the finish line at the same time.
Through games and activities prepared for them, KLD employees had the opportunity to build trust, improve team communication, enhance problem-solving skills, and show creativity and innovation.
