Chancellor Tanggol dubs freshmen “historical batch”, as IITians gather virtually

By Danielle Raye Revelo, Geralie Albert, Honey Grace Gaid

We will continue to deliver the education goods to you as much as we have given the rest - this time it shall be on flexible modalities.

This was uttered by Chancellor Sukarno D. Tanggol in an online General Orientation for Freshmen and General Assembly wrapped up by Kataastaasang Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral (KASAMA) for the Academic Year 2020-2021 on Friday, September 25 via Facebook Live,

As the Chancellor welcomed the newest scholars of Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT), he dubbed them as “historical batch”. He conceded that the COVID-19 pandemic has given them immeasurable adversaries but he assures that the institution is unfazed and its call to provide quality education remains withstanding.

The Institute is continuing its best to innovate its means of delivering based on whatever resources and technology available to us, according to the chancellor. This will only be possible with stakeholders working together. “We are then asking for your patience and cooperation”, he said.

The events were kicked off by an opening remark delivered by the KASAMA President Hanz Jude Ambalong. “I am sincerely hoping that by the end of this event we become truly knowing of ourselves as this is our way to a successful stay in the university”, he said.

To further welcome the new batch in the Dakilang Pamantasan and equip students of the basics as they journey through college, a short message was read on behalf of Dr. Marie Joy D. Banawa, the Vice Chancellor of Student Services and Professor Sasha Ann Valdez, the acting director of the Office of Student Development Services (OSDS). Both gave words of encouragement reminding students to remain open and positive amid the ordeals facing their studies. 

An informational video from the Guidance and Counselling Center (GCC) was also presented highlighting its key function in the holistic development of the students. This was followed by a comforting message given by Charity Pagarigan, the acting head of the Office of the Guidance and Counselling. She clarified that guidance offices are not a “discipline office”, rather a safe space for students to express their concerns involving their personal and social health.

Subsequent in general assembly, student Ombudsman, Amil Josiah B. Estornino unveils the survey on InFlex Modality conducted by KASAMA about the preference of the students last August 19 – September 9, 2020. Survey shows that: Facebook is the most familiar and frequently used social media platform by the students; Smartphone is the most available electronic device for students; Internet accessibility of the students through internet broadband dsl/fiber; 45% of students could not attend to synchronous classes due to power interruptions and unstable internet connection; half of the respondents were confident but not that much to handle online classes with 54.2%; and 78.6% of the student’s population belongs to category 2 indicating limited access to online technology tools, 15% for category 3, and 6 % for category 1.

Other agendas were presented by KASAMA officers such as: Medical and Insurance Services by Students Rights and Welfare Committee Chairperson, Anthony Adrian V. Cale for the Medical Assistance Fund for 2nd year students; Ethics and Grievance Committee Chairperson, Roy Mykel Arcilla for the KASAMA complaint system; Youth Esports Program of MSU IIT by the Senator for Sports Development and Affairs, Dwight Morales; and online activities such as the webinar dealing on mental health entitled Positivity Sundays by  KASAMA Vice President, Arnold Banding.

Finally, a series of inspirational speeches was delivered by the governors from their respective colleges. The hour-long session was concluded with an open forum to address student queries.