The Aurora State College of Technology through the initiatives of Forester Maria Cristina B. Canada, Director, Research and Development Services Office (RDSO) and staff conducted the Annual In- House Review of Research and Development Project Proposals last July 2, 2020 amidst the pandemic. This is the first time that the College conducted this activity via ZOOM to avoid mass gathering and maintain physical distancing. This year’s In-House Review showcased eight proposals for social research category and nine proposals for the experimental research category. All the proposal write-ups and presentations were evaluated by experts from ASCOT Research Ethics and Technical Committees, DepEd- Aurora and Philippine Rice Research Institute. For the social research category, the panel of evaluators were composed of Forester RB J. Gallego, Chairman of the College Research Ethics Committee, Dr. Cris Dan Barcelo, Peer Reviewer of International Research Journal for Educational Leadership and Management, and Dr. Erleo T. Villaros, Chief Education Supervisor of DepEd Aurora. On the other hand, For. RB J. Gallego, Dr. Eutiquio L. Rotaquio, Jr., College President and Chairman of College Research Technical Committee, and Dr. Roel S. Suralta, Scientist II and the Director of DA- Crop Biotechnology Center, PhilRice were the evaluators for the experimental research proposals. Dr. Jay M. Amon topped the social research category with his proposal entitled “Parents’ Involvement in Distance Learning Amidst COVID-19 among Indigenous Students in the Coastal Areas of Aurora”. Maribelle A. Soriano on the other hand got the 1st place on the experimental category with her proposal entitled “Development of Edible Fern Technology Through Production and Post-Harvest Practices in Aurora Province”. Maria Cristina B. Cañada bagged 2nd place for both the social and experimental categories with her proposals “Gender Sensitive Utilization and Management of Mangrove Forest in Barangay Esteves, Casiguran, Aurora, Philippines” and “Growth and Yield Responses of Tissue-Cultured Lakatan (Musa acuminata AA Group) to Inorganic and Mykovam Application”. Dolores Salvacion F. Tolentino with her proposal “Career Development and Employability of ASCOT Graduates: A Tracer Study” got 3rd place for social category while Gerryc P. Alfonso settled for 3rd place in the experimental category with his proposal “Blue Carbon Stock and Species Diversity Assessment of Mangroves in Aurora Province, Philippines”. For the proposals to be funded by the RDSO, these must have passed final evaluation by the College Research Ethics and Technical Committees. Other proposals with high budgetary requirement will be endorsed to external funding agencies.
ASCOT–FTC OPENS ANEW IN ITS OPERATION
The Farmers’ Training Center (FTC) of ASCOT has been, for a long time, idle and on the process of wearing down. Through the generous effort of the College President, Eutiquio L. Rotaquio, Jr., it has undergone rehabilitation and improvement and is now open for Extension Activities, Trainings, Agricultural Activities and Summer Classes. ASCOT–FTC was formerly known as Aurora Integrated Area Development Project Farmers’ Training Center (AIADP-FTC). It is located at Brgy. Dibet, Casiguran, Aurora. The 4.3 hectare land was originally donated to AIADP by the late Mr. Isidro Villanueva of Brgy. Dibet, Casiguran, Aurora. The said land including all other facilities was then donated by AIADP to ASCOT in 1999. It was made possible through the collective efforts of the then Project Co-Directors of AIADP Phase 2, Rogelio B. Marzan and John E. Rice and the late Senator Edgardo J. Angara, representing the Donors and the First ASCOT President, Benny A. Palma, PhD as Donee. Also instrumental in the project were the former Casiguran Mayor, Jeremias V. Esteves; former Aurora Governor, Edgardo L. Ong; and the undefeated former Governor and Representative of the Lone District of Aurora, Bellaflor J. Angara-Castillo. Now that the ASCOT-FTC is in operation, President Rotaquio is also planning to make the FTC a Learning Site for Agriculture (LSA) that aims to educate people about agricultural technologies in general, and specifically provide educational and entertaining programs and materials to students, parents and the interested general public. It is ASCOT’s way of responding to the specific needs of students, parents and the community by developing agricultural learning programs and materials to meet their needs.
TRAINING ON E-LEARNING USING ZOOM APPLICATION FOR ASCOT FACULTY AND STAFF
The world is beset by CoViD-19 pandemic. In this current situation wherein most business establishments and institutions including schools are experiencing lockdowns and quarantines, different measures are being undertaken in order to continue working and supplement functions and responsibilities. Thus, utilizing video conferencing tools is now a must in this global shift to the “new normal”. One of the challenges that the College has to respond is the utilization of flexible learning (CHED) and/or blended learning (DepEd). Hence, ASCOT’s Information Communication and Technology Center (ICTC) together with its Extension and Training Office, spearheaded the conduct of a training on E-Learning using Zoom Application for all ASCOT faculty and staff. The activity aims to equip participants with technical know-how and expertise in the use of online Zoom Application for conducting meetings, lectures and classes in preparation for the “new normal” set up. The said training is scheduled on May 20 to June 5, 2020 at the three campuses of ASCOT. Training for faculty and staff of Zabali Campus started on May 20 until June 1, 2020; June 2, 2020 for Bazal Campus; while Casiguran Campus is on June 4-5, 2020. The expertise of the following resource persons is being employed: Godfrey B. Gudoy, Director for ICTC; Mike M. Robles, ICTC Staff; and Casper Jay T. Ortiz, ICTC Staff; while the Director for Extension and Training Office, Ricardo G. Gonzales, Jr., acts as Facilitator of the training. In order to accommodate all the faculty and staff, the seminar is scheduled on a daily basis having a maximum of ten participants in every morning and afternoon session. With the limited number of participants, it is able to abide by the rule of safe physical distancing inside the venue. According to ASCOT President, Eutiquio L. Rotaquio Jr., it is expected that the training on Zoom Application will be utilized as platform starting 1st Semester of SY 2020-2021 whether the GCQ will be lifted or not. In relation to this, ASCOT is also currently undertaking the upgrading of its Wi-Fi connections through the DICT to ensure the provision of a more efficient and effective information and communications system. -Araceli Bitancor
ASCOT Officially Opens the College Intramurals 2016
Streaks of blue, orange, maroon, yellow, green, pink, and black filled the bleachers of Sentro Baler as ASCOT holds the opening of Intramurals 2016 in a very colourful and festive mood today, September 7, 2016. The reverberating cheers and yells from the competing teams were of excitement to an epic week of activities that was about to begin. The College President, Dr. Doracie B. Zoleta-Nantes, then welcomed everybody with a message about excellence and comradeship which is linked with this year’s theme, “Building Camaraderie and Excellence through Sports”. She stated that despite the competitive nature of the intramural events, athletes must remember that all of these activities are meant to inculcate a sense of camaraderie among ASCOTians. The torch lightning ceremony led by Mr. Robert Bermudo, SCUAA Gold Medalist, the hoisting of team flags spearheaded by the College and Team Officials and the Oath of Athlete led by Ms. Ladie Queenie Torres signalled the official start of the 4-days Intramurals.
CHED Grants P2.1M Funding for the Establishment of ASCOT SMART CLASSROOMS
The Aurora State College of Technology is a recipient of a financial grant from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in the amount of Php. 2, 100, 000.00 to finance the establishment of ASCOT SMART CLASSROOMS. This project was awarded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) through the resourcefulness of the College President and with the hard work of the Academic Directors who prepared the project proposal in this regard, equipping the College with the technology tools that will improve the student learning environment and aiming to upgrade the College’s capability and sustain its development efforts to keep the lead role in providing excellent education. As part of the ASCOT’s Smart Classroom Project, technologies to facilitate teaching and learning have been installed in the seven (7) Departments that were selected for the implementation of the project. With its goal to enhance classrooms with new technologies to support educational initiatives, each Department received 12 units desktop computers, 1 unit server, 1 unit LCD projector, 12 pieces chairs and 4 pieces computer tables (3 computer units per table).
ASCOT conducts Consultative Meeting of the Proposed Budget for AY 2017
The members of the ASCOT Faculty Association, Administration Association, Officers of the different Student Organizations, Scholars and other Stakeholders of the College convene for the conduct of the Consultative Meeting for the ASCOT Proposed Budget for Academic Year 2017 held today, March 04, 2016 at the ASCOT Covered Court, Zabali Campus, Baler, Aurora. Dr. Oscar C. Barawid, Vice President for Administration and Planning Officer gave the opening remarks while Dr. Doracie B. Zoleta-Nantes, in her message emphasized the importance of the conduct of such agency consultations to gather feedback, inputs, suggestions and recommendations for the program developments and projects of the agency.
Seminar-Workshop on Designing Quantitative Research Using Contemporary Theories of Motivation and the Decisive Use of Statistics
To equip the members of the ASCOT Faculty and Staff with the techniques and expertise in designing and conducting researches, twenty-two ASCOT Personnel geared up for a 5-day Workshop on Designing Quantitative Research using Contemporary Theories of Motivation and the Decisive Use of Statistics, December 14-18, 2015 at the Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. The Seminar-Workshop was handled by the College of Education, CLSU headed by Dr. Teodora T. Battad, Dean of the College of Education. The course included a lecture series on Contemporary Theories of Motivation and Research Conceptualization discussed by Dr. Ronnel B. King and Decisive Use of Statistics handled by Dr. Jerome A. Ouano and Dr. Felicidad T. Villavicensio.
Education Department bags Miss ASCOT 2015 for a back-to-back WIN, BIT takes home title as Mr. ASCOT 2015
The 1st day of ASCOT College Week was concluded with a most-awaited Pageant – the Search for Mr. and Miss ASCOT 2015.It was indeed a night of glamour and beauty with each department send-ing their most gorgeous pair of candidates to make a run for the prestige title. The pre-pageant started 2:30 pm where VTRs of the official candidates in their swim wear attire was played. Not only D2mabo Digital (the official videographer/photographer) was able to showcase the beauty of the candidates in their presentation but also the beauty of Dicasalarin, where the shooting was held. The board selected Mr BIT and Miss Education as Mr and Miss Photogenic. Different talents were also showcased later in the night, with Miss BIT winning Best in Talent after playing beat box while singing, and Mr Engineering, after his wonderful singing that left the audience in awe. Entering the Second phase of the competition, top 3 pairs was selected. EDUC, BIT and BSIT for female, and BIT, EDUC and ENGG for male, composed the final 3 pairs. After slaying the QnA of the final round , Miss Katrina Lopez of Education Department went on to win the title as Miss ASCOT 2015. A back-toback win for Education department, with Cyrhill Renn Querijero bagging the prestigious crown last year. Pairing her as Mr. ASCOT 2015 is Mr.Alvin S. Pragio of BIT Department earning the crown from last year’s winner, Engineering Department. The program ended 10 pm declaring Princess Ann P. Escuadro (BSIT) and Noel A. Manzano (eng’g) as 1st runner up winners and Miss Dizza May Macalinao (BIT) and Mr. Joshua Clay Serafines as 2nd runner up winners.
ASCOT Holds Vision and Mission Formulation
Members of the ASCOT Faculty, Staff, Students and Stakeholders convene to formulate the new ASCOT Vision and Mission in an activity held last September 5, 2015 at the ICTC Audio Visual Room, ASCOT Zabali Campus, Baler, Aurora. Dr. Oscar C. Barawid, Planning Officer led the presentations of the ASCOT Vision and Mission from the output of the Institutional Planning Workshop held last August 27-28, 2015 in Bazal Campus. Barangay Zabali Captain Jose Q. Amatorio, representatives from COA, DBP, and Provincial Capitol together with the members of the ASCOT Faculty, Staff and Students actively participated in the collaborative effort to formulate the new ASCOT Vision and Mission that will be presented in the 80th Regular Board of Trustees Meeting.
Pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wikang Filipino 2015
Makulay at masaya ang palatuntunan na isinagawa noong ika-18 ng Agosto 2015 kaugnay sa pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wikang Filipino 2015 na idinaos sa ASCOT Himnasyum. Dinaluhan ito ng mga mag-aaral, mga guro at bisita suot ang kanilang makukulay at malilikhaing Kasuotang Pilipino. Hinirang bilang Lakan at Lakambini 2015 sina G. Arjay Oblino at Gng. Annie Capin, mga guro mula sa Departamento ng Pangkalahatang Edukasyon at Industriya at Teknolohiyan para sa kanilang mayuming kaanyuan, tindig, tikas at mahusay na pagdadala ng kanilang kasuotan at sarili. Ang pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wika ngayong taon ay nagtampok ng temang, Filipino Wika ng Pambansang Kaunlaran. Ito ay mahusay na inilahad ng panauhing tagapagsalita na si G.Felicito E. Bihasa. Sa kanyang talumpati, ibinahagi niya ang kahalagahan ng wika sa ibat-ibang larangan na may kinalaman sa pagkamit ng pambansang kaunlaran.
ASCOT Holds In-House Review 2015
The ASCOT Research and Development Office conducted the Annual Agency In-House Review of On-going and Completed Research Projects 2015 last Friday, August 14, 2015 at the ICTC Audio Visual Room, ASCOT Zabali Campus, Baler, Aurora. This year’s In-house Review featured 13 research projects under the Research Category, Development Category and Thesis Category which were evaluated by three experts from the Central Luzon State University (CLSU): Dr. Romeo B. Gavino, Chair, Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering, Dr. Federico O. Perez, Dean, College of Agriculture, and Professor Tomas D. Gajete, Project Leader, Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry(SARAI-DOST), who also served as the Chairman of the Board of Evaluators. Each participant’s research projects were presented during the whole day activity and were judged by the evaluators based on creativity, originality, quality of work, significance of findings, the manuscript and presentation. Winning entries were commended through Cash Prizes and Certificate of Recognitions.