The Iloilo State University of Fisheries and Science and Technology (ISUFST) emerged as a frontrunner in academic representation at the recently concluded Philippine Association of Pre-Service Teachers (PAPSET) Mid-Year Convention held at Punta Villa Resort and Convention in Arevalo, Iloilo City. ISUFST held the most significant delegation, with a total of 42 select administrators, faculty, and students attending the two-day event this May 3-4, 2024.

 

Themed “Empowering Teachers Towards Global Citizenship,” the convention brought together pre-service students and in-service teachers from 22 schools and campuses nationwide. Hosted by PAPSET in collaboration with West Visayas State University (WVSU), the event offered valuable insights and discussions on equipping future and present educators for the globalized landscape.

 

Dr. Joan Belga, Vice President for Academic Affairs of ISUFST, highlighted the significance of continual professional development for educators, including the pre-service teachers: “A teacher is a guide, a mentor, someone whom every student can trust not only in their learning but also on how to best embrace the challenges of life. Thus, every [in-service and pre-service] teacher should be equipped with the necessary tools in this mentorship… as the saying goes, you cannot share what you don’t have. As such, ISUFST fully supports the development of its faculty and students through training, seminars, immersion, and other kinds of professional development.”

 

Throughout the two-day in-house convention, participants from ISUFST have been involved and immersed in the plenary and concurrent session conversations, which added spice to the engagement process of the event. All of them eventually received one or more prize tokens (mainly laptop bags) from the PAPSET organizers for their active participation.

 

ISUFST’s commitment to academic excellence was further highlighted by its active participation in the research presentations. Two delegates from the university’s Main Campus-Tiwi Site presented their pedagogy-driven research papers during the concurrent sessions in the afternoon of Day 1, Friday, May 3: Math and physics professor Dr. Herman Lagon tackled the integration of ChatGPT in math education, exploring its impact on mathematical investigation, problem-solving, and modeling; while langauge professor Dr. Jomel Guintivano delved into “CARES (challenges, adeptness, reception, effectiveness, and satisfaction) in correction: Written corrective feedback in college students’ writing.”

 

Meanwhile, Hannah Marie Failanza, a pre-service BSEd Science major student, presented her research on “Four Games, One ExCELLent Goal, investigating the effectiveness of game-based learning on student understanding and experiences in mitosis” in the morning of Day 2, Saturday, May 4. Her research adviser, Dr. Ronilo Aponte, was also part of the active and immersed ISUFST delegation.

 

On the afternoon of Day 2, Dr. Branche Sumido, another ISUFST science professor, led a concurrent demo-teaching session titled “A Walk Along Mitosis Alley.” This innovative presentation introduced a dynamic approach to teaching the intricate stages of mitosis through an engaging carousel-style activity, designed to center students in the learning process.

 

The convention featured prominent speakers who emphasized the crucial role of educators in shaping future global citizens. PAPSET President Dr. Ronaldo Pontanosa stressed the importance of teachers fulfilling their responsibilities effectively, highlighting the nobility of the profession. Albeit online, Dr. Joselito Villaruz challenged participants to embrace technological advancements like AI responsibly and vigilantly, acknowledging its potential benefits and drawbacks.

On the other hand, keynote speaker Dr. Ma. Asuncion Dequilla, WVSU VPAA, delivered a powerful message urging educators to foster a love for learning, inquiry, and social justice within their students. “Remember, you are not just teachers; you are role models,” Dr. Dequilla emphasized. “Embrace the concept of global citizenship in your classrooms.”

 

The convention provided a comprehensive learning experience, encompassing various sessions beyond research presentations. Day 2 featured a talk by research expert Aris Larroder of WVSU on navigating the research advising and publication process for internationally indexed journals. Concurrent sessions covered additional research presentations, mini-workshops, and demo teaching showcases. The event culminated in the Gabi ng Parangal and closing rites, conferring the institutional membership of ISUFST to PAPSET and recognizing the outstanding demo teachers and research paper presenters, among others.

ISUFST’s active participation in the PAPSET Mid-Year Convention reflects its dedication to fostering a culture of academic excellence and preparing future educators to thrive in a globally interconnected world. As Dr. Dequilla aptly stated, teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of responsible and engaged global citizens.