With the university's continuing efforts to enhance program quality and instructional effectiveness, Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) conducted a Student Workload Rationalization Workshop on August 7-8 at the university gymnasium.

Gathering the academe weavers, consisting of faculty members, program chairpersons, and deans from the seven schools of Naval Campus and three schools of Biliran Campus, the said event was graced by the expertise of Dr. Richard R. Jugar from the University of San Carlos (USC), Cebu.

A full professor in the School of Education and the director for Educational Practices, Instruction & Curriculum Development in USC, Dr. Jugar brought clarity and direction to BiPSU’s goal of rationalizing student workload in the Philippine higher education context through enriching lectures on the Authentic Assessment Adoption (AuA) and flexible learning and a series of hands-on workshops.

“We don’t want to produce graduates who merely survive the system; we want graduates who think critically and remember what they learned long after they leave our gates,” stated University President Prof. Victor Cañezo, Jr. “That starts with how we value their time, and it starts with how we design our instruction.”

With the seminar’s aim to ensure a balanced, transparent, and outcome-based instruction, Dr. Jugar’s two-day appearance shed light to the university educators with topics such as syllabus-based estimation, desk estimation, the course tiering tool, and designing authentic assessments.

“An outcome that cannot be assessed is an outcome that doesn't exist,” Dr. Jugar emphasized. He reinforced the need for strategic alignment between learning outcomes, instructional design, and assessment tools.

Moreover, he discussed the significance of outcome-based assessments that reflect real-world competencies, fairness, and clarity—principles crucial for a meaningful learning experience.

The workshop also led participants to reflect on critical aspects of BiPSU’s academic framework, such as the effectiveness of its curriculum map, the accuracy of its program prospectuses, and the alignment of course syllabi with the university’s broader goals and standards of academic excellence.

The initiative enabled BiPSU educators to assess and improve their current practices, strengthen the quality of instruction, and foster a more transparent, inclusive, and student-centered learning environment.

Also present were Dr. Maribel N. Zipagan, Vice-President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Erwin G. Salvatierra, Vice-President for Students and External Affairs; Engr. Vivencio A. Pelesco, Vice-President for Administration and Finance; and Dr. Roland A. Niez, Vice-President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Services.

Said activity was spearheaded by the Curriculum, Instruction and Faculty Development (CIFD) Office, headed by Dr. Claire Theresa S. Bentor, in coordination with the Quality Assurance and Accreditation (QAA) Office, led by Dir. Carlito C. Cabas, Jr.

Meanwhile, Faculty Regent Hon. Vennie G. Coton expressed his plan to pursue a similar initiative focused on faculty workload rationalization, further advancing the university’s committed approach to workload management and academic quality.

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