Mendoza tops engineering recruitment exam

By: Maria Leni D. Oro

Garnering a total of 159 points out of 200, Edward Dave P. Mendoza BS ECE 5 emerged no.1 in recruitment exam given by DASH engineering Philippines Inc., a Cebu-based Japanese firm on July 17.

DASH Engineering Philippines Inc. is a plant construction company that designs chemical plants and environmental apparatuses and a subsidiary of Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Co.,Ltd..

“When I was informed that I topped the exam, well, I was surprised! It was so great achievement for me and I thank God for it. I was so blessed that I was able to make use of my learnings in all my subjects and it so happened that what I have learned in this university are the ones that came out in the design examination”, said Mendoza.

Fifteen students from NDMU passed in the cutoff, earning a passing rate of 21.73 % among the other participating schools that included Notre Dame of Dadiangaas University (NDDU), and Mindanao State University (MSU)-General Santos City.

Joining him on the top five are Jennifer D. Rico and Anthony Ian R. Tupas, both BS ChE 5, John Rey B. Cuba and Kris Ryan Quirino, both BS ECE 5. The passers shall undergo an interview, and the final qualifiers shall be automatically hired by the Cebu-based japanese company.

NDMU Library Updates

By: Arjay L. Balinbin

In response to the students’ library needs, the NDMU library added new facilities such as, 30 units of flat-screen computers, new book collections, 30 days free trial subscription of new data bases under Gale Virtual Reference Library, and new journal title subscriptions.

The NDMU library is a permanent subscriber of Proquest which is under the I-group Asia since 2006. “The university is paying more than half a million annually for the subscription of Proquest,” said Mrs. Fe Diaz, Director of Libraries.

The additional units of computers in the library are due to its high demand among NDMU students.

In the 2nd semester of school year 2007-2008, 35% of the internet users were the students of the College of Business Administration (CBA) followed by the College of Engineering and Technology (CET)- 22%, College of Education (CED)- 19%, College of Health and Services (CHS)- 13%, and College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)- 11%.

The library has also subscribed new journal titles such as, Police & Security News (RSN) and Police Magazine for the Law Enforcement and Public Safety program (LEPS), Educational Leadership for Education students, Pediatric Nursing, Journal of Gerontology, and Journal of community Nursing for the Nursing program, CE News for Engineering, Hotel and Motel Management, Food management, and catering Magazine for Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM) and Food Technology programs, and The CPA Journal, Entrepreneurship magazine, Marketing Management Journal for Business courses.

As additional to the library’s Audio Visual Rooms (AVR’s) 1-2., new AVR is now available at San Lorenzo Ruiz Hall (SLR) building, first floor close to the College of Education faculty office.

NDMU extends help in Lambayong

By: Arjay L. Balinbin

"Where is NDMU in times of calamities?" asked Mrs. Agnes Reyes, Champagnat Community College (CCC) director during the clubs and organizaitons meeting on outreach activity.

In response to this challenge, the NDMU extended its help to the victims of typhoon Frank in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat through the initiative of CCC together with the different clubs and organizations and faculty last July 5, July 28, and August 2.

According to the DSWDm there are approximately 2000 hectares that were damaged out of 13 barangays in Lambayong.

Supreme Student Government (SSG) spearheaded the first operation on July 5 in the Barangays: Liit, Kabulacan, and Poblacion, Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat wherein 400 packs of relief goods donated by the NDMU studens from different clubs and organizations were distributed.

The NDMU Faculty Organization spearheaded the second relief operation which was held at Brgy. Pinguiaman of the same municipality on July 28.

On August 2, the last relief operation was led by the Muslim Students Organization (MSO) at Brgy. Tinumigues.

"I am very happy together with my members because we extended help to the residents of the affected area who really need our help, " said Mr. Norhashim Ulangkaya, MSO President.

The said project was a recipient of the 2007 Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) 5 awards helpd at Makati City on October 2007.

Maricon Samperoy, Daryl Justin Umadhay and Evelyn Piano represented the BITS along with other stakeholders from different sectors in the community.

Moreover, Evelyn Piano, the former BITS President, received the plaque of appreciation awarded by Assistant Division Superintendent, Ma. Rosa Gutierrez, Asst. Regional Director, Mr. Allan Farnazom and City Councilor, Hon. Rose Salanga-Dideles.

BITS receives recognition from DepEd

By: Mr. Arvin Tejada

The Books and Information Technology Society (BITS) received a plaque of appreciation from the DepEd, Koronadal City Schools Division last August 8 at South cotabato Gymnasium and Cultural Center, City of Koronadal during the 6th DepEd Foundation Anniversary.

The recognition given to the club was for its support, contribution, and concern for the welfare of the learners especially at Sto. Niño Elementray Scholl, Bo. 2, City of Koronadal where its flagship project, the Adobt-A-Library was put up.

CED receives COE grant

By: Marites Lopez


With the pertinent provision of the Higher Education act of 1994 and the recommendation of the Technical Panel for Teacher Education (TPTE), NDMU as one of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) was graced with the title Center of Excellence (COE) for teacher Education on June 02, 2008.

Among the fourteen identified HEI in the whole Philippines, the Notre dame of Marbel University is the sole HEI in region XII and in the whole Mindanao who was given the privilege to enjoy the COE grant for three consecutive years starting from June this year after almost 12 years since 1996.

The College of Education (CED) as one of the COE grantee was identified based on HEI’s: institutional qualities which include the administration, faculty, curriculum, laboratory, facilities, student support system, performance in the Licensure Examination for Teachers, graduate profile, graduate tracer study/employment of graduates; Research and Publication which includes research activities, research environment, access in documents, references and equipments to undertake research; extension and linkages; and institutional qualification that has good academic program that stems from a clear and achievable institutional vision for excellence and quality.

Together with the profound title, are the benefits being identified as COE to wit: priority in the selection of CHED institutional partners with regards to other CHED developmental projects, entitlement to other no-monetary subsidies and awards such as graduate scholarships for faculty members, priority for CHED research grants, and recognition as autonomous and deregulated HEI.

“Aside from the fact that you will be using the name that will give you prestige, graduates can use COE as teacher education in their official documents, and we endowed priorities to grants and scholarships for our school was acknowledged to be the lead institution in the whole region,” said Dr. Noemi B. Silva, the CED Dean and NDMU Academic Vice President.

As a COE grantee, the following are highly expected: act as a role models in the local, regional, and national community, sustain and enhance research capabilities and upgrade professional or research graduate programs in the discipline, provide assistance to agencies/institution within its geographical area of coverage, undertake other activities/ projects necessary in developing quality education in the specific discipline.

Talking about quality education, Dr. Noemi Silva said “Quality education does not happen rather, we have to work for it. Working for it requires team endeavor in continuous and collaborative sustained effort of all stake holders in the University, particularly in CED, focusing in our mission-vision. "

WAC Invigorated Marist Women

By: Marites Lopez


Aiming to respond to various problems concerning women in the campus, the Women Advocacy Center (WAC) headed by Sr. Andy Solar, OND, holds General Assembly on July 5, and 12, August 16 and 23, 2008 at NDMU campus.

To revitalize women concern, the program was convened with the objectives to wit: orient participants with the WAC programs and guidelines, become aware of the local and national situation of women in the Philippines, become conscious of their rights and privileges, elect set of officers and form a group session by ‘barkada’.

Deepening the WAC programs and guidelines, Sr. Andy discussed the following WAC general objectives: to have adequate awareness or critical consciousness on women issues; provide venue for empowerment, participation, solidarity and networking among the female students in the campus as well as with other women sectors outside campus; impart to the female students the virtues of Mary (the model of women humble yet confident, simple yet creative, modest yet empowered); and reinforce structures in the deepening of our understanding and manifestation of the Marist core values through the different activities of the WAC.

Sr. Lalyn Macahilo, OND, the Oblates of Notre Dame Women Ministry in-charge, stood as the keynote speaker of the said activity.
She discussed various abuses and violence encountered by women today such as physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, and economic abuses.

“Even exposing the bodies of women in beauty contests is considered as abuse,” Sr. Lalyn said as she relates abuses to women today. “Ngaa lawas ang gamiton?,” she questioned.

The keynote speaker let the participants viewed the film entitled Sex Trafficking We’re so Syndicated Ma’am” in which women in these days were compared to business, with chicken as the sole product.

After which, the participants were clustered by barkada for a small group session entitled “Kamustahanay,” where members will spend time sharing with Sr. Andy Solar the issues/concern affecting them as Notre Demeans, how to help one another in responding to their specified issues, so as their reflection.

The said activity was participated by NDMU students particularly women. “Not only women are obliged to participate, men as well are encourage to join the program,” said Sr. Andy.

The success of the activity was aided by the group of Social Work students and volunteers from other colleges who are willing to help in the WAC Center, where it serve as a venue to expose themselves in reaching out to those in need.

Agana makes it top 30 on TOSP

By: Maria Leni D. Oro

Being one of the top students of Notre Dame of Marbel University (NDMU), Mark Aethen G. Agana, a graduate of BS Computer Science and a Gawad Parangal Institutional Leadership Awardee was chosen as one of the top 30 in the Search for Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP).

TOSP is a project of RFM Foundation in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education, the Rotary Club of Makati Central, the National Bookstore, and the RFM Group of Comapnies since 1961 that aims to promote excellence and service as a way of life through the TOSP awardees and finalists who come from the various regions of the Philippines with this year's theme "Learning, leading, and serving for life".

"My purpose is to leave a legacy of excellence to our school and region," said Agana who is now taking his Masters degree in the Philippines (UP) - Diliman under the PCASTRD-DOST (SEI) Scholarship.

The top 30 finalist chosen by the National Screening Committee were invited to Manila to undergo a week-long formation process and other TOSP activities.

Moreover, Agana is also a participant in the 35th Ship for South East Asian Youth Program (SSEAYP), a diplomatic excahnge program among and between the emerging youth leaders in Asia.