By Chessa Pae Faustino, correspondent

To promote a more inclusive campus environment, the MMSU College of Health Sciences (CHS) organized a disability sensitivity training for teaching and non-teaching personnel of the university. 

Held on August 4 and 7 at the MMSU Board Review Center, the program dubbed IGNITE and DISCOVER was conducted in line with the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) month celebration. 

IGNITE stands for Innovative Gathering for Nurturing Inclusive Teaching Environments, while DISCOVER means Disability Inclusion Strategies, Concepts, Outputs, Valuable Experiences and Researches. 

Ms. Daven Kayte Cocson, project leader and faculty member of the CHS physical therapy department, said the training aimed to enhance the capacity of MMSU personnel in interacting with and in delivering services to differently-abled students and other clients. It involved lecture sessions by key experts, and demonstration of assistive technologies and mobility aids by physical therapy students. Relevant research studies were also presented to the participants to inspire them to conduct similar endeavors in the future.  

“Here in MMSU, one of our core values is inclusivity. By this [training], we support and encourage diversity and collaboration, engaging in programs that promote growth and development for all sectors of society,” remarked Prof. Ryan Dean Sucgang, CHS OIC dean. 

For his part, Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog, MMSU vice president for research and extension, urged the personnel to “help ensure that every member of the university community feels welcomed, valued, and empowered here in our campus.”

The training is the culmination of a series of activities organized by the college for its month-long celebration of NDPR. – with Adrianne Lorenzo Corpuz, correspondent (HLY/DPT, StratCom)