By DANIEL P. TAPAOAN, JR.

Student affairs and services coordinators of the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) attended the first BUKEL (Brave, Understanding, Knowledgeable, Excellent Leaders) training-workshop at the University Hostel today, September 4. 

Organized by the MMSU Office of Student Affairs and Services (OSAS), the activity trained participants to conduct student activities in the ‘new normal,’ and harmonize these in the university to come up with a roadmap for student development. 

Dr. Elizabeth Marfel F. Gagni, OSAS director, said the Office is adapting the university’s student activities to the ‘new normal’ because she believes that student development must continue amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

She also expressed optimism that the training-workshop will serve as compass to direct the development of the students under the new form of academic environment.  

Meanwhile, Dr. Prima Fe R. Franco, vice president for academic affairs, urged the participants to help satisfy the needs of college students because they are the main clientele of the university. 

“Students should be developed as human capital who are ready to work in the real world,” she said. 

University President Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis expressed delight with the conduct of the training-workshop. She, too, encouraged the participants to become innovative and attentive to the needs of the students, saying that higher education institutions, like MMSU, are development-oriented.

Resource speakers for the activity were Dr. Geraldeen B. Pascual, chief for student welfare; Prof. Milagros B. Barruga, chief for institutional student programs and services; and Dr. Jan Rich A. Guira, student development chief. They discussed the following topics, respectively: Sustainable Mental Health Activities for Students; Gender-Sensitive Student Activities and Programs; Revisiting the Roles of Student Affairs Coordinators; and Student Activities in the New Normal.

Engr. Marcial Gabriel, former faculty regent, served as keynote speaker who discussed “The Excellent Leader in the New Normal.” (StratCom)