The College of Information Communications and Technology (CICT) conducted an orientation for the members of the faculty with the theme “Uprising to Soaring Heights: The PICAB Orientation — Elevating Philippine Information and Computing Education in BULSU-CICT” last August 4, 2023, at CICT-AVR Pimentel Hall.

The program began with opening remarks led by Engr. Lester Phil Cruz – CICT Secretary and afterwards he introduced the speaker, Dr. Ace C. Lagman – Senior Director of Information Technology Department in Far Eastern University Institute of Technology.

Dr. Lagman started his presentation by asking for copies of syllabi and curriculum of each specialization. He also discussed some of the terminologies to ensure that everyone is familiarized before he proceeds. After that, Dr. Lagman started to talk about different criteria for Accrediting Computing and Information Technology and the first criteria he mentioned was the Program Educational Objectives (PEO). He also elaborated how PEO helped students even after graduation and how it was related to the second criteria which was the Student Outcomes (SO). Moreover, Dr. Lagman also presented about the process on how PEO was established, and pointed out that PICAB is a documentation so it must be backed up with evidence.

“PICAB is a documentation. If you put something there, and there’s no evidence at all – it doesn’t exist.” He quoted during the discussion.

After the informative start for criteria one, Dr. Lagman shared his PICAB accreditation journey to give more ideas regarding the process which he discussed after. Upon his presentation of the requirements for the establishment of PEOs, he mentioned that the minutes of meetings, documentation of the institutional process, and the presentation and validation must be prepared. Dr. Lagman continued with the list adding Student Outcome Checklist in the presentation.

In line with the discussion, Dean Keno elaborated the process on how the college obtained its Student Outcome Checklist. Dr. Lagman then proposed that there be a committee for PEO and PO, as he moved on to criteria three.

Dr. Lagman opened the discussion regarding the curriculum through discussing curriculum map, submission of syllabi, terminal courses, mapping of terminal courses to PEO and PO, and compliance to CHED as major requirements. In his elaboration, he focused on informing the faculty about the presentation of terminal courses before the meeting paused for a lunch break.

Around 1 PM as the meeting continued, Dr. Lagman reopened the topic through elaborating ways on identifying and presenting terminal courses. The meeting progressed as Dr. Lagman tutored about the creation of a direct assessment plan through projecting a sample summary result. During this, he once again reminded that it also must be supported by evidence such as class records. After the presentation, Dean Keno applauded the template and mentioned that it was a more helpful and efficient template to use.

The workshop concluded after the faculty answered review questions regarding the discussion and a certificate given to Dr. Lagman. – Mary Rose Joy Robles and Jian Zharese Joeis Sanz