by Prof. Adrian J. Forca and Prof. Divon G. Tamdang
DAY 1 – APRIL 21, 2024 (HOSTING AT ILOILO CITY)
Consistent to our Approved Itinerary of Travel we go to Iloilo City together with the Students. However, since our students are coming from Jordan while we (faculty) are coming from Buenavista, our meet-up venue is at the City Mall Parola.
In this official Travel the faculty from the College of Science and Technology are Prof. Adrian J. Forca (Dean) and Instr. Divon Tamdang (Program Head, BSIT) with four (4) 3rd year BSCS Students namely: Mr. Rolyn Sean C. Dellavan, Mr. Fritz Noel Quilacio, Ms. Shegerra Mar Genilan and Ms. Hannah Mae Mendoza
DAY 2 – APRIL 22, 2024 (DEPARTURE ILO TO MNL TO CGK)
The day started early as we prepare our scheduled flight, though its 10:30am but since we have students, we are expecting some delays and this is our first time to go abroad so there might a lot of requirements to prepare at the airport hence, we woke up at 5am and prepare ourselves.
To establish immediate identification at the PH Immigration, we decided to wear our uniform together with the students wearing their official school uniform too as shown in the illustration
As expected, we queue to checkin counters for our baggage drop and printing of boarding passes, checking of our passports and Travel Taxes.
As this is official foreign travel, we the faculty are exempted to pay the travel tax however, we’ve noted that based on the advise of the TIEZA personnel to us, next time, International Affairs office must furnish a copy of endorsement letter addressed to TIEZA containing the name of the Government employees that will be exempted for the travel tax. Our Authority to Travel was photocopies and considered just to ensure that we can catch our scheduled flight to CGK later that day.
This photo shows that we are very delighted that our appeal was granted, however, students are required to pay a travel tax of P1,620.00.
From a distance, we can view the effect of El Niño to the Philippines
Faculty and Students arrived at NAIA Terminal 2 from the ILO to MNL Flight
Then we availed that Shuttle Service for the Transfer from NAIA Terminal 2 to NAIA Terminal 1 to catch our MNL to CGK Flight
Around 7:55pm, PAL Started the boarding process and it took 4 hours of flying time from MNL to CGK and we arrived at 1:30am (Indonesian Time). Indonesia is 1 hour behind the Philippine Standard Time. We subjected ourselves to Immigration and we’ve utilized that eGates and QR Code for the Customs Declaration.
Thereafter, the Vice Dean Mr. Usep Suhender waited for us at the West Lobby of the Airport Arrivals to bring us to our Accommodation at Bogor, Indonesia. Travelling Time from Jakarta to Bogor will take atleast 2 hours.
We arrived at Bogor around 3:30am and had our sleep and to wake up early in the morning for a scheduled courtesy call to FMIPA
DAY 3 – APRIL 23, 2024 (COURTESY CALL TO UNPAK – FMIPA/ FGD RESEARCH)
Though we arrived at 3:30am, we are consistent to represent our University and Country hence, we prepare ourselves and made a courtesy call to UNPAK-FMIPA and there we are glady welcomed by the Dean Dr. Asep Denih.
In his welcoming message, we expressed his appreciation for the realization of the Academic and Research Collaboration with the University.
Dean Adrian Forca introduced the delegation. In a short conference, present also is the Coordinator Ms. Sara Nurmala who will facilitate all the activities of the students.
Dean Asep Denih also offered us to tast the local cakes of Indonesia. All in all, some tastes alike to the Philippine Local Cakes like Wingko that tastes like Bibingka and Resol that tastes like Empanada of the Philippines
After the courtesy call, we proceeded to the Focus Group Discussion on Research hence, we transferred to their hall for the discussion of such together with the students.
We also had a unique opportunity to have a Photo with the Area Chairs of the Faculty of FMIPA with us and the Students
Then we return to the Office of the Dean for the presentation of the Guimaras Goodies to the following:
Prof. Dr. Ir.H. Didik Notosudjono.,M.Sc. – Rector
We’ve also made courtesy call to the Highest Official of the University, the Rector
Dr. Griet Helena Laihad, M.Pd. – Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Partnerships
| NOTE: In behalf of Dr. Laihad, Ms. Sara Nurmala Received the Guimaras Products |
Asep Denih, S.Kom., M.Sc., Ph.D. – FMIPA Dean
Then, UNPAK-FMIPA organized a welcoming lunch for us at the B’Steak
The day ended with the conversion of our pocket money into Indonesian Rupiah
DAY 4 – APRIL 24, 2024 (GENERAL LECTURE)
This day we are scheduled to conduct a general lecture with the Faculty, Staff and Students of UNPAK-FMIPA as detailed in the Infographics below:
Moreover, in that activity also happened the exchange of Research Journals between the two universities
On this day also, we have presented the plaque of recognition distinguished persons of UNPAK, to wit:
Prof. Dr. Ir.H. Didik Notosudjono.,M.Sc. Rector
Dr. Griet Helena Laihad, M.Pd. Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Partnerships
Asep Denih, S.Kom., M.Sc., Ph.D.FMIPA Dean
DAY 5 – APRIL 25, 2024 (COURTESY CALL TO PHILIPPINE EMBASSY)
This day, we are set to appear in the Philippine Embassy pursuant to CHED IAS Reference No. SUC 2024-02-206 wherein, we are warmly accommodated by Mrs. Radegunda C. Velasco- De la Cruz –Cultural Officer and Attaché and we’ve made Registration in the Guest Book of the Embassy
Log in the Guest List of the Philippine Embassy to Indonesia
The Philippine Embassy also organized an Exploration Activity in Sentro Rizal Section of the Embassy
The Delegation takes note of the Advise of the Philippine Embassy that all MOU must be signed in the Embassy and not with other places.
DAY 6 – APRIL 26, 2024 (FGD CURRICULUM/ FAREWELL)
This is the last day of the Faculty in UNPAK and to maximize the opportunity, FMIPA organized another focused group discussion on Curriculum to match the curriculum of PH and IN for possible longer student exchange programs.
Some of the notable ideas that we were able to grasps are:
- Student Assistants are the one who facilitate the laboratory classes hence, this is a beneficial reduction of workload for the lecturer;
- UNPAK-FMIPA recommended that we engage in robotics training-workshop hence, faculty are invited to comeback to UNPAK for an intensive training in combination with the Artificial Intelligence. They have highlighted that AI and Robotics work together hence this is also a good opportunity for CST Faculty to immerse itself in the emerging technologies in the field of Information Technology Education.
Then prior to proceeding to Soekarno Hatta International Airport, we received the Plaque of Recognition to the CST Faculty
This ends the Foreign Travel of the faculty of the CST in collaboration with the UNPAK-FMIPA in Bogor, Indonesia. Faculty then proceeded to Soekarno Hatta International Airport together with the contact Mrs. Sara Nurmala. However, in terms of sustainability of the Partnership between the two universities, we were able to take note that Indonesian Students with two (2) lecturers are expected to arrive in the Philippines by August to September, and 2nd Batch of Students to go to UNPAK is scheduled this October to November 2024. Moreover, the same faculty are invited to comeback to UNPAK for the finalization of the agreed publication of the research journal and training on artificial intelligence and robotics technology respectively.
For Students, you can read their own updates through the following links:
- Fritz Noel Quilacio – fritzquilacio.wordpress.com
- Rolyn Sean Dellavan – rolynseandellavan.wordpress.com
- Hannah Mae Mendoza – hannahmaemendoza.wordpress.com
- Shegerra Mar Genilan – shegerramar.wordpress.com
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