decipher...

The Mindanao University of Science and Technology has now begun growing and improving. Growing in terms of buildings and its other structures and improving in terms of giving quality education. All of these developments were possible because the administrators, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders have been united in achieving one goal. In the MUST web-page I have read their strategic plans for the five years (including this year) of developing the said young university. These are the 10 goals and objectives that they have set.



Goal 1: Pursue Excellence in Instruction.
Sub-Goal A. Aim for Program COD/COE Status.
1. COE in Mathematics
2. COD in Electrical Engineering
3. COD in Information Technology
4. COD in Mechanical Engineering
5. COD in Civil Engineering
Sub-Goal B. Offer New and Innovative Programs.
1. BS in Computer Science
2. BS in Fine Arts
3. Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
4. Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering
5. Master of Science in Chemistry
Sub-Goal C. Continuously Improve Programs through Quality Assurance.
1. Improve/Enhance program offerings through AACCUP accreditation.
2. Attain AACCUP institutional accreditation.
3. Attain Category A -Research in CHED IQUAME Evaluation.
4. Sustain SUC Level IV status of the University.
Sub-Goal D. Widen Access to Higher Education through Non-Traditional Modes of Instruction.
1. Promote and implement CHED’s deputized programs of Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and
Accreditation Program (ETEEAP).

> In my stand, I know this won't be easy, it'll take time, more effort and cooperation. I hope that the university would be able to sustain the the level status they (we) have now and continue improving through accreditation. I think all of this sub-goals is realistic as long as everyone including the students would cooperate in achieving this..

Goal 2: Pursue Excellence in Research.
1. Create an organizational climate conducive to research productivity and address the research priority areas of the six centers: Engineering and Architecture, Technology, Advance Science, Mathematics, Marine
Biomodelling and Mariculture, and Policy Studies, Education and Socio-Economics.
2. Enhance the visibility of MUST in the national and international research arena.
3. Enhance access to research grants from external sources (international, national, or regional research funds).
4. Ensure intellectual property rights registration and licensing agreements for transfer of technologies.
5. Aim for distinctive research awards.

> As a university that aims to pursue a quality research, instruction, production and extension it is a must to have these goals (Goal 2: Pursue Excellence in Research). For the university's great development, research is greatly needed. I hope that the instructors and students would be well trained to conduct good researches not only in national level but even international level. 

Goal 3: Pursue Excellence in Extension.
1. Develop capability and organizational culture for more productive extension activities.
2. Utilize research outputs and package technologies.
3. Build up community outreach through community and campus-based extension projects.
4. Provide consultancy services and expand networks.
5. Aim for distinctive extension awards and implement reward system.

> The university's real transformation should not only be seen in how the institution  was change but also in the way it changed the lives of the community around them, like these goals of building up community outreaches. For me this is realistic as long as there is enough budget and trained individual for the said activity.

Goal 4: Establish the Center of Energy and Environment.
1. Create a research think-tank that will address policy and technical issues related to energy and environment.
2. Become the leading National Research Institute in the fields of energy and environment.
3. Commercialize sustainable technologies on energy and environment.

> Having these goals, I hope that the university would be able to realized these things. It needs money, well trained people, dedicated people, and good research. But it's not really that impossible to achieve these things. 

Goal 5: Promote Student Affairs, Welfare and Success.
1. Attract quality entrants to the University.
2. Promote the students’ wholesome and holistic development.
3. Continuously improve student performance in the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) proficiency exams.
4. Promote the students’ cultural awareness and appreciation of skills in the arts.
5. Strengthen the reward system for student achievements.
6. Provide more scholarship grants to deserving students.

> As a student of this university, we are not only to be trained for the courses/profession that we are enrolled in but we should also be developing other skills and to be developed as a whole ( holistic development). I know this is possible and realistic.

Goal 6: Maximize Library and other Resource Support to the Teaching, Learning, and Research Environment.
1. Upgrade library resources to University standards.
2. Develop and sustain the E-Library.
3. Restructure the library organization and facilities.
4. Produce instructional materials and manuals.
5. Sustain efforts in resource sharing and networking activities with other organizations/institutions.

> This things are very important that it must be available to the students. It is really needed that the library and E-library will be developed so that this will be used effectively in the learning process of the students. Because the students are also paying for these, they must also be able to use the facility as it functions well.
 
Goal 7: Implement Massive Infrastructure Development.
Sub-Goal A. Construct New Buildings.
1. ICT Road and Powerhouse Science Complex
2. University Dormitory
3. University Student Center
4. University Cafeteria
5. Engineering Building
6. Technology Building
7. Education Building
8. University Library
Sub-Goal B. Renovate Old Buildings.
1. University Gymnasium
2. Old Administration Building
Sub-Goal C. Establish State-of-the-Art Laboratories.
1. Establish and Equip Laboratories for COD/COE Programs.
a. Electrical Engineering Laboratory
b. Information Technology Laboratory
c. Mechanical Engineering Laboratory
d. Civil Engineering Laboratory
2. Establish and equip laboratories to sustain the existing programs.

> How wonderful it is to see the university as developed as this. As the changes arises so do as the needs of the students to learn as much as they need to become a quality graduate and as a professional in their respective fields. These things written that are need to be developed and to be built are not far from reality. Actually there are already buildings that are built, these things are stating to happen.

Goal 8: Implement Massive Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Development.
1. Fully automate management information systems.
2. Upgrade MIS infrastructure (hardware/network capability).
3. Enhance computing facilities in the main and external campuses.
4. Develop technology-enhanced teaching and learning environment.

> As an institution having expertise in the field of technology it is also important that there must have a massive ICT development. Technology is a fast changing field that is why the university must be well updated or should I say it must be in the latest trend in terms of  ICT developments.

Goal 9: Pursue Outstanding Human and Organizational Development.
Sub-Goal A. Enhance Human Resources Management.
1. Recruit, retain and develop outstanding faculty and staff.
2. Promote the health and well-being of the MUST community .
3. Enhance recognition system for excellent performance.
4. Improve HR processes, systems and infrastructure to provide high levels of efficiency, quality and cost-effectiveness.
Sub-Goal B. Ensure Quality in Administration and General Service Delivery.
1. Revise the existing University Code.
2. Implement innovative administrative systems.
3. Maintain excellent physical ambiance of the campus.
Sub-Goal C. Build Institutional Strength and Reputation.
1. Pursue institutional development planning.
2. Create and maintain an organizational culture that supports the vision, mission, and values of the University.
3. Establish the institutional knowledge and data base system.
4. Ensure smooth flow of University news for internal and external audiences.
5. Foster good media and public relations.
6. Coordinate the University image building and branding.

> All of these things are vital things that the university must also have for the total development of the school and its students. Also to have good flow of learning and the relationships in the institution.
 
Goal 10: Ensure more Efficient and Effective Resource Management and Generation.
1. Manage budget efficiently and effectively to finance the University’s various programs and projects.
2. Maximize income potentials of income-generating projects.

> It is indeed important to have efficient and effective management and generation. All of these plans would not be possible without the capacity of managing the finances and budgeting the money that the university have for these developments. Without money everything will be just a plan on a paper.

I hope that all of these plans of developing our dear university would be soon realized. By the help and cooperation of everyone in the institution and with God's provision, power and strength nothing will be impossible.

Involving technology in the educational practices is one of the best way of modernizing and improving the educational system, but using this tool in teaching seems to have problems that even the developed countries find it hard to integrate I.C.T tools in teaching. It is important to identify these obstacles so that countries which would like to improve their educational system would be able to know how to solve or make solutions regarding these problems.
I have read about the obstacles towards using I.C.T in teaching and learning of information system from "The International Arab Journal of Information Technology" It has been said there that these following factors affects the use of technology of some developed countries:

• availability of equipment- Of course, it is important that there is an availability of the equipment so that the student may have the convenience in learning, as well as the educators they need it for teaching.
• sufficient equipment- sufficiency of the equipment is also needed so that there will be a comfortable learning and teaching process.
• up-to-date equipment- there is a fast change in the technology and it is hard for the educators to cope up with the changing technology in a short period of time.
  
• maintenance of the equipment- this also needs attention, there must be technical support so that there will be a good flow of learning and teaching.
• infrastructure- it has already been said (in the journal) that good networking infrastructure is needed to support its use in teaching.

• staff training & development
  
• technical staff support- theses two factor are important so that the educators will be able to teach effectively using the upgraded system.
  
• vision and incentives - there must be more researches to be done to maximize the use of technology in education.
• time factor- this is the common problem of the faculty & staff because there is only limited time in learning these new technologies.
  

These factors are obviously an obstacle in integrating I.C.T in teaching. I know that all countries are aiming for the best institutions which provides best quality of graduates, so, these institution must give much more attention with these problems, and not only the institutions but also the government, they must provide enough budget for the upgrading the educational system.





source/reference:
http://www.ccis2k.org/iajit/PDF/vol.3,no.3/3-Mee.pdf

What is the role of technology in education? Many progressive countries has been using I.C.T for better and effective learning. Countries like Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia have been using I.C.T and conducting more researches to achieve a more developed technology that is useful in educating their students. It's main purpose is to produce quality learning, help students learn effectively and to produce a quality and competitive graduates. In these countries, I have seen some strategies that Philippines could probably adopt to help in developing the educational system and I.C.T.
New Zealand have been developing their I.C.T through consultation with school, researchers, tertiary education providers, businesses, and others. They do not focus on technical skills alone but also on extending and deepening educational experience. In Singapore, they have been integrating I.T into content to create a dynamic and flexible curriculum and leverage on I.T to expand the scope and nature of assessment.
In Hong Kong, their key components of the strategy are training teacher at four levels to become effective facilitators. While in Australia and in Malaysia, they have some similar strategies like they are not just using I.C.T for educating typical students that are attending classes regularly, but also they connect to Orphanage and other NGOs to empower under privileged children and the Homes through the use of Information and Communications Technology to improve their quality of life.
I know that the Philippines has also been developing I.C.T to educate Filipino students. Maybe some of these countries' strategies are also used by our Filipino technologist and educators but there are also strategies which are applicable or may be adopt. I am hoping that the Philippine government might be able to implement all the projects they have in the development of I.C.T, so that they can educate not just the Filipinos from some part of the Philippines but also to reach even the remote areas where there are students who are willing to learn and uplift their lives.



reference:
http://www.unescobkk.org/education/ict/themes/policy/regional-country-overviews/new-zealand/