USM First University in Mindanao to Participate in UPLB OIDHE Training

The University of Southern Mindanao is privileged to be the first university in Mindanao to participate in a training delivered by the University of the Philippines Los Baños Office for Institutional Development in Higher Education (UPLB OIDHE). Experts from UPLB, headed by OIDHE Director, Dr. Greg T. Paliwen delivered a training on research design, extension, and micro-credentials on July 25-27, 2023 at the USM Commercial Building.

During the first day, OIDHE Program Coordinators Dr. Reniel S. Pamplona and Dr. Inero V. Ancho talked about formulating research objectives and ethical standards in doing research, respectively. On the second day, UPLB Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Asst. Prof. Roselle V. Collado, gave an overview of quantitative research while OIDHE Program Coordinator, Asst. Prof. Rowena P. de Guzman, discussed qualitative research and analysis. On the third day, Dr. Rufo Gil Z. Albor talked about Extension and Impact assessment. This was followed by Dr. Paliwen’s lecture on micro-credentials.

The training was attended by selected USM administrators and faculty members. Participants were reminded that professors are not merely transmitters of knowledge but creators of knowledge. When faculty members are actively engaged in research and extension, they can supplement their instruction with practical knowledge. Further, alternative curriculum models such as micro-credentials provide an opportunity to make quality education more inclusive and tailor fit to the demands of the 21st century and the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

USM President Dr. Francisco Gil N. Garcia sees the potential of research, extension, and micro-credentials to increase the relevance of education in this rapidly changing world. More intensive trainings programs are planned in the future.