The Office of the ADNU Graduate School, in coordination with the Graduate School Guidance Office, conducted the Orientation Seminar and Students’ Assembly on August 24, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:00NN, at the Ateneo de Naga University.
The Orientation Seminar and Students’ Assembly first held its plenary session at the University Gymnasium followed by the break-out sessions per cluster in various venues in the ADNU campus. The theme was “Layag: Charting the Graduate School Odyssey”. “Layag,” a Filipino term meaning “voyage,” captures the essence of this event’s commitment to fostering adaptability, innovative learning, and comprehensive growth in tune with its mission to deliver quality graduate education to contribute to the Bicol and the nation.
The program was hosted by Ms. Catherine Siena Placides, an MA in Psychology major in Counseling Psychology student which started with an Opening Prayer and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, followed by Dr. Malu Barcillano, the Dean of the Graduate School, for her Welcome Remarks and introduction of the Graduate School Office Personnel, Program Directors, and Guidance Counselors. The Program Directors then present the Academic Guidelines and Policies. Dr. Virna Villanueva discussed the Class Attendance, Grading System, Completing INC Grades and Interim Guidelines for Flexible Learning, and the Interim Guidelines for Thesis and Dissertation Defenses. Dr. Elizaldy Raro talked about the Conduct of a Written Comprehensive Examination. Dr. Marshal Murillo shared about the Interim Guidelines in Conducting Service-Learning Activity. Mr. John Michael Revilla, one of the Guidance Counselors, also discussed the Leave of Absence and Residency. Dr. Peñafrancia Reyta, the Graduate School Academic Standards Committee Chair, also shared about the System for the Graduate School Academic Standards Committee.
Afterward, the students are directed to six (6) different venues according to their break-out group for the Cluster Orientation. As Dr. Ronald Elicay was not around, Ms. Michelle Lara, who is one of the Graduate School faculty, facilitated the group composed of the students coming from the following programs: Doctor of Philosophy in Education major in Educational Psychology, Master in Mathematics, Master in Education major in Curriculum and Instruction (Early Childhood Education), Master of Arts in Education majors in Curriculum and Instruction, Curriculum and Instruction (Early Childhood Education), Environmental Science (No Track, Biology Track, and Chemistry Track), Sports and Physical Education, and Teaching Mathematics. On the other hand, Dr. Villanueva handled the Doctor of Philosophy in Language and Literacy Development, Master in Language and Literature, and Master of Arts in Education majors in English Language Teaching, Filipino, Social Studies, and Religious Education. Also, Dr. Murillo guided the students under the Master in Business Administration, Master in Public Administration, and Master of Science in Accountancy. Then, Dr. Raro headed the Master of Arts in Education major in Guidance and Counseling. Since Dr. Leonor Lynette Fortunata Mendoza was also not around, Mr. Revilla again facilitated the Master of Arts in Psychology major in Counseling Psychology. While, Dr. Barcillano facilitated Doctor of Business Administration, Master in Nursing, Master of Arts in Nursing, and Master of Arts in Philosophy. The cluster identified representatives coming from the programs. The named facilitators also shared the highlights of the graduate programs and the major experiences of their previous students and the office.
The event concluded with a group photo of each cluster in their respective venues. Students proceeded to have their lunch break as they prepared for the resumption of classes at 1:00 PM.
The Graduate School hopes that, through this seminar and assembly, the graduate students will be able to familiarize themselves with the university’s environment, guide them through its institutional procedures, and ultimately, make them feel part of the university community.
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By: Ms. Christaine Mae Bael
Administrative Assistant, AdNU-Graduate School
