By Kean Bagaipo
Silliman University (SU) eyes sustainable educational growth in the next four years through its eight-point comprehensive goals, aiming to boost academic excellence, faith integration, community engagement, and other developmental initiatives.
During the All-University Convocation last Oct. 14, SU President Betty Cernol-McCann presented the administration’s “calibration plan” from 2024 to 2028.
McCann stressed that the evolving needs of students and teachers in a “changing landscape” calls for calibration such as adjusting to educational practices and standards.
“Calibration in education is about fine-tuning different aspects of the system to adapt to new challenges brought about by technological advancements, shifts in societal needs, or changes in policy regarding education,” she said.
Faith integration
SU’s first comprehensive goal is “increasing Christian life activities” by continuing devotions and fellowships, and conducting outreach programs to integrate faith into academic and co-curricular activities.
“We have religious convocations in various academic levels including one for faculty and staff, various units devotions, or continuing Christian education for the children, the youth, our young adults, and other age groups,” McCann said.
Since 2015, SU consistently holds the semestral University Christian Life Emphasis Month (UCLEM) that offers faith-related activities for students, faculty, staff and alumni.
Academic excellence
Under its second and third goal, SU aims to produce “globally competitive graduates” and “leading academic producers” by boosting national and international endeavors.
“We emphasize international student recruitment, national and international marketing campaigns, and the enhancement of academic programs through higher accreditation and industry linkages,” McCann said.
She also mentioned the promotion of technology-enabled learning experiences such as students participating in competitions, scientific exploration, and service-learning engagement.
On faculty development, McCann highlighted increasing advance degree holders and enhancing research output through grants and international conferences.
Technology and disaster-ready facilities
In terms of developing “world-class facilities and innovative systems,” SU partnered with the Department of Science and Technology and Technical Education Skills and Development Authority on funding projects.
“This would include the development and improvement of modern technology-enabled and disaster-resilient facilities,” McCann said.
Along with the SU Global Studies Center and its Information and Communication Technology Department, a modernization work is also ongoing at the SU Library which is set to reopen next year.
To meet such goals, McCann said that they are prioritizing “sustainable and viable financial resources” while establishing a “mutually-supportive relationship with the alumni” as outlined in the fifth and sixth goal, respectively.
Other developmental initiatives
McCann emphasized its seventh goal towards “social awareness and advocacy” against disinformation by partnering with the Philippines’ top news agencies and other academic institutions.
SU recently joined GMA Network in its Panata Kontra – Fake News initiative and another anticipated partnership with ABS-CBN News for the upcoming Halalan 2025 special coverage.
Moreover, the university’s recent engagements on environmental programs will bolster its eighth goal on “expanding green spaces, adopting renewable energy, implementing waste management programs, and upgrading facilities for sustainability.”
During her speech, McCann also revealed SU’s four-year strategic direction plan with recent developments in organizational structure, new policies for technological advancements, and commitment towards holistic education.
