Tagbilaran City – In a concerted effort to address pressing infrastructure challenges and foster academic excellence, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) of BISU Main Campus held a transformative workshop on November 13, 2024, at JJ’s Seafood Village, Tagbilaran City. Titled “Mastering the Art of Grant Writing and Journal Editing: A Comprehensive Workshop for the Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences,” the event brought together faculty members to hone their skills in securing grants and publishing scholarly work.

The workshop, facilitated by Mrs. Rhea Mae A. Balagot, aimed to empower the CAS faculty to tackle challenges such as the lack of laboratories and essential facilities. CAS Dean Dr. Bernabe M. Mijares, Jr. gave the welcome address, emphasizing the necessity of innovation and growth among educators and calling for action to secure funding for much-needed infrastructure.

A roster of distinguished speakers provided invaluable insights. BISU Planning Officer III, Ms. Bona Dea Padron, detailed the technical requirements for grant proposals, underscoring the importance of aligning with National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) standards. Meanwhile, Ms. Marianie A. Lungay presented a virtual tour of proposed campus facilities, inspiring the participants with a vision of future possibilities.

Dr. Catherene B. Perin, Gender and Development (GAD) Director, advocated for incorporating Sustainable Development Goal 5 (gender sensitivity) into project proposals. She emphasized the significance of inclusivity in infrastructure projects to meet approval standards.

Highlighting practical approaches to grant writing, Project Development Officer II, Ms. Ann P. Dy provided a deep dive into crafting compelling project proposals. From community involvement to sustainability plans and intellectual property rights, her session offered actionable strategies to engage both local and international funding agencies.

In elevating academic contributions, Dr. Reizl P. Jose, a professor at BISU-Bilar, led the workshop and featured a session on Academic Publishing. She encouraged the use of platforms like the Online Journal System (OJS) and indexing in Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Dr. Jose’s session highlighted the importance of academic visibility and collaboration through social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter.

Participants actively engaged in a hands-on activity to create a “Matrix of Tasking and Targets,” which identified key activities and assigned responsibilities for CAS initiatives. Discussions also focused on manuscript formatting, references, and other publishing guidelines. The day concluded with the election of CAS journal committee members, ensuring sustained efforts in advancing academic outputs.

The workshop marked a pivotal step in equipping CAS faculty with the tools to secure funding and elevate their scholarly contributions. As the faculty drafted initial proposals and strategized for future endeavors, the event reaffirmed their commitment to addressing CAS’s infrastructure needs and advancing its academic mission.

This workshop exemplifies the university’s dedication to fostering growth and innovation among its faculty, setting the stage for a brighter, more resourceful future for the College of Arts and Sciences.