By DANIEL P. TAPAOAN, JR. 

The Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) has joined hands with eight local government units (LGUs) in Ilocos Norte to establish learning spaces in their towns so that University students can cope with the flexible learning mode in the new normal. 

Also known as the “MMSU-LGU-TELCO Convergence for Virtual Learning Project,” the University and the LGUs have agreed to pool their resources together to deliver quality learning alternatives such as the creation of “learning hubs” that contain computer units, printing stations, and internet connectivity for the students. 

This development partnership was formalized on Wednesday (October 7) between MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis and the chief executives of Badoc, Currimao, Dumalneg, Pagudpud, Piddig, San Nicolas, Solsona, and the City of Batac through a signed memorandum of agreement (MOA) at the MMSU Function Hall. 

Dr. Agrupis said that since government guidelines disallow face-to-face classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MMSU has shifted its delivery of instruction to flexible learning scheme (online and remote). 

“We have continued reaching out to our students in various towns in Ilocos Norte and outside the province so that we can deliver quality learning alternatives that the university is offering to them,” she said, emphasizing that the university’s Virtual Learning Environment (mVLE) is one of these alternatives. 

“We have also explored other initiatives such as the donation of pocket wi-fi, gadgets, and the provision of load allowances,” she added. 

Despite these, the university president admitted that implementing flexible learning mode has posed great challenges to both the faculty and students.

“That’s why we have decided to bring learning spaces in every town with the help of LGUs,” she said, revealing that a total of 4,249 students are coming from the eight pilot towns for the project and that “this number will be assisted by this collaborative effort.”

The MMSU president said that of this number, 1,552 students are from the City of Batac, 732 from San Nicolas, 498 from Badoc, 381 from Solsona, 375 from Pagudpud, 330 from Piddig, 321 from Currimao, and 60 from Dumalneg. 

In response to this effort, the town and city executives have expressed their commitment to the project and promised to provide needed resources to help the MMSU students.

The MMSU president, too, thanked the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte for allowing students to go to their respective municipal and city learning spaces for educational purposes. 

Prior to this agreement, the MMSU launched its Oplan Sappuyot (OS) program where employees donated various amount, mostly giving their one-day salary, to serve as seed money for students’ support. 

The OS caters those who are graduating, whose family’s source of income was dissipated due to the pandemic crisis, whose parents’ annual income is not more than Php 100,000, or those who are not enjoying any scholarship program in MMSU and in any government agency. (StratCom)