2022 CAS Graduate Program Workshop

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A competitive academic program is one that’s reviewed and constantly modified. This is the motivation that the programs of the College of Arts and Sciences were running under during the 2022 CAS Graduate Program Workshop. Last July 28 and 29, the college executive committee, together with the program coordinators, gathered at the First Pacific Leadership Academy (FPLA) in Antipolo, Rizal for two whole days of lectures and updates on the existing and proposed graduate studies programs. 

The workshop opened with an introduction by the CAS Dean, Dr. Maria Constancia Carrillo. She reminded the participants of the importance of developing the programs to strengthen and continuously establish the identity of the college. They were also graced with motivational remarks and reminders from Dr. Leslie Michelle Dalmacio, the director of the UP Manila National Graduate Office for Health Sciences (NGOHS) and Dr. Nymia Simbulan, the UP Manila Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs. This workshop was spearheaded by Dr. Mary Dorothy Jose, the CAS Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and coordinator of the CAS Graduate Program Committee.

Before proceeding to the curricular updates of the various programs, Dr. Marie Josephine De Luna shared the experience of DPSM in proposing a graduate degree program. She shared what everyone eventually called “Ma’am Jojih’s ladder” which helped in the visualization of the long yet organized process of having the proposals approved on the college and eventually, the university level. 

The heads of the implemented programs provided updates on the instruction of their courses. Prof. Marilyn Crisostomo presented the progress report on the curricular review of the MA Health Policy Studies. Prof. Sharon Caringal did the same with the Master of Management program, and Dr. Vincent Peter Magboo provided the updates for MS Health Informatics (Data Science track), as well. These sessions served as testimonies to the other participants to give them ideas on the advancement of curricular plans when the proposals get approved by the university administration. Session heads were also able to help the other participants in their proposal stages by answering questions during the open fora. 

These are the programs on their proposal stage which everyone should watch out for:

  • Master of International Health (presented by Prof. Laufred Hernandez)
  • MA Organizational Communication (presented by Prof. Mishima Miciano)
  • MS Ecosystems Health (presented by Dr. Jay Dalet)
  • MA Development Studies (presented by Prof. Ruth Shane Legaspi)
  • MA Social Sciences (presented by Dr. Wensley Reyes)
  • MS Medicinal Chemistry (presented by Dr. Junie Billones)
  • MS Applied Physics (presented by Dr. Marie Josephine De Luna)
  • Master of Health Behavioral Sciences (presented by Prof. Laufred Hernandez)
  • BAMA in Behavioral Sciences (presented by Prof. Laufred Hernandez)
  • MS Forensic Science (presented by Dr. Ma. Teresa De Guzman)
  • MS Addiction Science (presented by Dr. Leonardo Estacio, Jr.)

As the proposal updates were presented, they were thoroughly assessed and cross-examined by the participants which included Dean Carrillo, Dr. Marilen Balolong (CAS Associate Dean for Research and Public Service), Prof. Guiller Realin (College Secretary), Prof. Alice Adeva (DAC Chair), and Prof. Jerome Ong (DSS Chair). Ms Rozheanne Hilario represented the Philippine Arts in her capacity as coordinator and point person for setting up an MA in Philippine Arts program. 

To sum up the important takeaways from the workshop, there are three significant points: First, the graduate program must have gone through a series of market survey to ensure that there will be enrollees that are interested in what the programs can offer. This will also determine the relevance of the program’s existence as a response to the public’s needs. Second, the programs must have connections and establish collaborations with other institutions and field organizations—both local and international. Lastly, they should be able to constantly review and modify the program content for it to be competitive and able to produce skillful and well-trained professionals.

The Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (OADAA), together with the CAS Online Instruction Committee, had been organizing more future trainings and conferences for the faculty of the college for the enrichment of the programs and faculty skills. These include (1) the CAS Online Faculty Conference entitled, Blend of the Road: CAS Faculty Stepping UP to the New Normal (Part 2) which will be held on August 22, 2022 and (2) the CAS Faculty Online Training Series: Nowhere to go but App. The OADAA is sure to create more conferences and workshops to ensure the quality of the programs under the college.