Educators unite for Computer Science Program National Dissemination at BukSU

Teachers, instructors, and professors from different state universities and colleges (SUCs), private higher education institutions, and Department of Education (DepEd) gathered at the Bukidnon State University (BukSU) Mini Theater on November 26, 2024 to engage in the Computer Science Program National Dissemination facilitated by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in partnership with Bukidnon State University and Code.org.

Bukidnon State University (BukSU) Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hazel Jean M. Abejuela, acknowledged the collaborative effort behind its success.

“I want to express my sincere appreciation to the CHED International Affairs Service for their role in completing this program,” Dr. Abejuela stated.

“Additionally, I want to thank our lead convenor, Bukidnon State University, along with the College of Education dean and faculty, our partners at the National Teachers College (NTC), Code.org, participating State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), private HEIs, and the Department of Education (DepEd) who have joined in the facilitated localized bootcamps.”

This last leg of the project keynoted the role of computer science in advancing the vision of becoming a SMART University. SMART BukSU President Dr. Joy M. Mirasol shared this.

BukSU highlighted the program’s significance in achieving the university’s vision of becoming a SMART University (Sustainable, Management-efficient, Academically-excellent, Research-driven, and Technology-infused).

“Computer science skills are fundamental in building a smart university,” she stressed.

“They provide the technological foundation for innovation, operational efficiency, and the development of advanced learning environments,” Mirasol added.

Dr. Mirasol further elaborated on BukSU’s vision, which revolves around the acronym LEAD: Learn continuously, Engage stakeholders, Adapt strategies, and Drive innovation.

“By staying updated on technological advancements, fostering partnerships with industry and academia, remaining flexible in a rapidly changing landscape, and encouraging creativity and critical thinking skills, we can achieve our goal of becoming a SMART University,” she emphasized.

Plenary sessions were held to cite the importance of Computer Science in the Philippines.

Mr. Edwin S. de Guzman, Point Person for the Philippines Computer Science Teacher Association, presented the latest trends, innovations, and technologies in computer science, specifically in coding and its applications in education. He emphasized the power of collaboration, highlighting discussions with CSTA Philippines on Data Science, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity, and programming languages, Internet of Things, BioInformatics, etc.

Dr. Edizon A. Fermin, Vice President for Academic Affairs of the NTC, provided strategies for overcoming the challenges in Computer Science Education in the Philippine Context.

Best practices of the training series were promoted towards the last session of the event. Recalling the Computer Science Fundamentals Training which happened in the middle of the year, participants shared their experiences integrating their learning in the curriculum design, and classroom activities, inducing fun in learning. (BukSU-Information Unit)