Emy Ruth Gianan, News, Communication Management Office
With mass gatherings still prohibited as precautionary measure for COVID-19 infections, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) took advantage of online platforms to hold its regular Academic Council and Administrative Dialogue last August 20 and August 28, respectively.
Graduation preparations, new programs during acad council
During the Academic Council, President Manuel M. Muhi presented his vision of PUP becoming a National Polytechnic University, accompanied by his mission of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities through a re-engineered polytechnic university.
After which, the University Registrar outlined the preparations for the first online Commencement Exercises on September 30 and the presentation of the graduates. Given the delays on processing the documents of graduates due to coronavirus restrictions, the full list of graduates has yet to be finalized. At least 2,500 students from the Sta. Mesa campus undergraduate programs are expected to march virtually; while another 800 from the graduate programs of the College of Business Administration, Education, Graduate School, and Open University would be joining them.
Quality Assurance Director Dr. Sanjay Claudio also presented new programs to be offered by the University in the coming school year. They are as follows: Doctor of Philosophy in Communication and Doctor of Philosophy in Economics; Master of Science in Biology, Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, Master of Science in Mathematics, Master of Arts in English Language Studies, and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. All new programs will be implemented as soon as the PUP Board of Regents gives its stamp of approval and the issuance of the necessary Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
Meanwhile, several existing graduate programs would also be renamed as follows:
Student Support Center, Covid-19 test support during admin council
Almost a week after the Academic Council, the University held its Management and Administrative Personnel Dialogue. The President also shared his vision, mission, and the 10 Pillars Reform Agenda during the council meeting. In support for the President’s continued reforms to provide quality services, Vice President for Research, Extension and Development (VPRED) and Quality Management Representative Dr. Anna Ruby Gapasin discussed the revised PUP Quality Policy Statement. She also added that auditing visits and quality services inspection would still be pursued through an online platform before the year ends.
Meanwhile, Vice President for Student Affairs and Services Dr. Zenaida Sarmiento unveiled the new Online Student Support Services Action Center (OSSSAC). The said platform would cater to student needs and provide much-needed frontline services to its stakeholders amid the coronavirus restrictions. In a presentation made by Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) Director Dr. Lutzer Reyes, OSSSAC would respond to student queries regarding conduct of online classes, manage and resolve student grievances, and provide other support services as needed. As this would consolidate most services offered by the University, VP Sarmiento implored the cooperation and assistance from all offices to make the OSSSAC successful.
In response to employee health and safety concerns, Vice President for Administration Adam Ramilo announced that all employees would be given Covid-19 test support. Each employee would be entitled to a reimbursement for a maximum of two (2) swab tests with necessary supporting details provided, upon the approval of the Board of Regents. University Legal Counsel, Atty. Joanna Marie Liao added that employees infected with the virus are also entitled to excused leaves.
Muhi prioritizes safety and quality education for PUPians
Classes will open on October 5, in time with the re-scheduled opening of classes for elementary and high school students. President Muhi noted the delay was made to allow more time for faculty members to complete instructional materials to be sent out to students without access to the internet.
Covid-19-related assistance include food packages given out to students stranded near the Sta. Mesa campus, as well as those near PUP branches and campuses. As for other forms of financial assistance, the University is bound by legal limitations and as such, these cannot be provided. He reiterated the Covid-19 test support for employees, and he hopes that this would help alleviate the burden brought by the pandemic.
On both activities, all executive officials of the University were present at the Bulwagang Balagtas, while representatives were either accommodated at the nearby Bulwagang Bonifacio to ensure physical distancing or via Zoom meeting platform. ###
Please click/tap the appropriate link to help you in your navigation of our services
Applicant Student Faculty Member or Employee Researcher or Extensionist Alumni Campus Life Institutional Accreditation Back to Homepage