The partnership between Biliran Province State University and Adamson University (AdU) for team teaching in BiPSU’s undergraduate engineering programs and the offering of AdU’s engineering graduate programs at BiPSU officially commenced on Monday, January 13.

This collaboration with AdU, a Catholic university in Manila renowned for its internationally accredited engineering programs, began with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on September 16, 2024. It was further solidified through a Memorandum of Agreement signed on November 29, 2024.

The partnership has two main components: the collaborative team teaching of professional courses in BiPSU’s undergraduate engineering programs and the provision of graduate study opportunities for BiPSU faculty through AdU’s engineering graduate programs.

To mark the beginning of this initiative, seven faculty members from AdU’s College of Engineering (COE) were formally introduced and welcomed during BiPSU’s flag-raising ceremony. 

The AdU delegation included Dr. Melinda Palencia, COE dean; Dr. Yolanda Austria, chairperson of Computer Engineering; Engr. Dexter James Cuaresma and Engr. Hubert Temprosa, Computer Engineering faculty members; Dr. Antonio R. Doroliat and Engr. Eisley John S. Tiongson, Mechanical Engineering faculty members; and Engr. Rodson Dacanay, Electrical Engineering faculty member.

Trailblazing partnership

BiPSU University President Dr. Victor C. Cañezo, Jr. said that the collaboration between BiPSU and AdU is a trailblazing move in advancing higher education in the country. He emphasized that the partnership would benefit both institutions, particularly BiPSU’s students and faculty, by providing access to world-class education.

“With the help of Adamson University, a renowned university with a reputation in its engineering programs, I am confident that we are giving our School of Engineering (SOE) faculty members a good stepping stone towards their professional development,” Dr. Cañezo said. “Not just that, with the collaborative teaching of faculty members from AdU and BiPSU, we can ensure that we deliver an excellent instruction for our engineering students.” 

Meanwhile, in her message during the Opening Program and Orientation held at the University HAVC right after their official introduction, AdU-COE Dean Dr. Palencia mentioned that the partnership is an important step in molding a generation of competent engineers dedicated to national progress

“Adamson University is proud to be committed to its vision of making a positive catalyst for the progress of our country,” Dr. Palencia said. “This is a momentous event because we are forging a model of public and private universities working together towards the development of our country.”

The COE dean also hopes that their “humble experiences, expertise, and learning can contribute to the development of our students and faculty here in BiPSU.” 

“True to your tagline, weaving of worthiness, we hope that we can become an important strand to that weaving,” she added.

Adu x BiPSU Team teaching

The collaborative team teaching officially launched with AdU faculty participating in face-to-face classes at BiPSU. Under this program, selected faculty from both universities will work together to teach courses in BiPSU’s engineering programs, including Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE), Computer Engineering (BSCpE), Electrical Engineering (BSEE), and Mechanical Engineering (BSME).

The team teaching will be delivered through online or blended learning platforms and in-person classes at BiPSU. The MOA of the partnership detailed that AdU faculty members who will be participating in the team teaching will be given at most nine units of team-teaching load.

Meanwhile, Vice President for Administration and Finance and School of Engineering (SOE) Dean Engr. Vivencio Pelesco explained that AdU faculty members will visit BiPSU to conduct face-to-face delivery at most 14 hours before Midterm examination and at most 13 hours of online delivery of instructions after Midterm period per three-unit course, as tailored by the MOA.

Engr. Pelesco believes that the partnership paves the way for enhanced learning experiences, innovative research initiatives, and most importantly ensures compliance with the policies, standards, and guidelines set forth by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for the engineering programs.

“Their faculty’s involvement in our programs signifies a step forward in elevating the quality of education and preparing our students to meet global standards,” Engr. Pelesco added. 

Graduate Programs at BiPSU by AdU

Another important provision of the collaboration between the two institutions is the offering of graduate programs of the Adamson University at BiPSU. These include Master of Engineering majors in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering; and the Master of Science in Civil Engineering.

Dr. Palencia revealed that the delivery of the graduate programs will be through an online learning platform. In the entire program duration, students will only visit AdU campus in Manila for the comprehensive exam and thesis final defense.

AdU offers engineering graduate programs with a total of 36 units. Dr. Palencia explained that the program is research-based. “Half of the delivery of instruction will be done by the professor,” she added. “Then you will be given guidelines on how to do the other part of the research through research.” 

However, being a research-based program, students are required to publish one paper in a Scopus-indexed journal. According to Dr. Palencia, this is a requirement pursuant to guidelines set by the CHED. “This is not an AdU requirement, this is a requirement set by CHED that we comply with,” she said.

Dr. Palencia hopes that the collaboration is not only for the development of the students, but also for the professional growth of BiPSU’s faculty members.

Moreover, University President Dr. Cañezo reiterated the university’s commitment in providing opportunities for academic and professional growth of students and its employees. He also encouraged the faculty members of the School of Engineering to pursue their master’s and doctor’s degree.

“We are constantly looking for ways to provide opportunities for our faculty members for their professional growth,” the university president said. “I hope they will take this opportunity to advance their careers through the help of one of the country’s leading universities.”

[This aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education.]