The results of the Civil Engineering (CE) Licensure Examination held nationwide on May 8 & 9, 2008 have been released. The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) announces that 1,094 out of 2,985 passed or a national passing of 36.65%. Nine (9) out of nineteen (19) examinees from USM passed the said board exam and obtained a passing rate of 47.37%. As such, USM surpassed the national passing percentage by a little more than 11%.

The USM new civil engineers are:

1.Bidua, Nasroden S.
2.Cadungog, Gaylord C.
3.Dumile, Karen P.
4.Garcia, Debbie Michelle B.
5.Garciano, Junophone Jr.
6.Manibpal, Zuharto P.
7.Santos, Argee M.
8.Taghoy, Gems M.
9.Valdevieso, Karen C.

Drs. Edwin G. Hondrade and Emma K. Sales together with Ms. Jane B. Ranis of the College of Agriculture attended the 38th Crop Science Society of the Philippines (CSSP) Scientific Conference at the Iloilo Grand Hotel, Iloilo City on May 12-16, 2008. The conference had for its theme “Environmental Sustainability for Global Competitiveness through Crop Science”. Conducted yearly, the conference aims at encouraging researchers, academicians and extension workers to present papers related to crop science and to recognize efforts of outstanding professionals in the field of cop science.

Newly elected to the second top post of the CSSP this year is Dr. Emma K. Sales who will eventually get the top position after the term of the incumbent president, Dr. Rhodora Aldemita.

The National Network of Quality Assurance Agencies (NNQAA) conducted a training-workshop for accreditors on program and institutional accreditation on May 28-30, 2008 at Philippine Normal University (PNU), Taft Ave., Manila. Five (5) faculty members from the University participated in the said training. They were: Drs. Marcelina O. Bahalla, Edna M. Jover, Evelyn T. Cabading, Riceli C. Mendoza and Prof. Anita C. Sornito.

Dr. Marcelina O. Bahalla
(2nd) Dr. Evelyn T. Cabading
(3rd) Dr. Riceli C. Mendoza (4th)

Congratulations!

Literacy program at USM is a major program of the University Extension Services Center. In 1998, USM won as the country’s Best Program Implementer in the field of non-formal education. Since then, USM continuously implemented literacy programs not only in the Province of Cotabato but also in the ARMM.

In 2005, the Basic Education Assistance for Mindanao Program tapped the services of the University as the service provider. The program was implemented through the USM-Sustainable Education and Empowerment for Developing Societies (USM-SEEDS). It covers basic education, functional literacy cum livelihood, integrated farming system, community learning center, accreditation and equivalency through the school on air, and the mobile learning center wherein technologies generated by the university are extended to the beneficiaries.

Managed by Dr. Luz A. Taposok, Director of the University Extension Services Center and Project Leader of the USM BEAM Access program, the USM-SEEDS Literacy Program won the 2008 Most Outstanding Literacy Program in Region XII. Aquel K. Macmod