Communitas 2010 Issue for PDF File.pmd - University of San Agustin

June 2010 AT-A-GLANCE Communitas 27
Prof. Fatima T. Peralta, Prof. Hazel Sabio, and Prof.
Dionisio Villeta.
The most important topics discussed, among
others, was the proposal to implement the five-year
Bachelor of Science in Accountancy (BSA) curriculum
effective the Academic Year 2010-2011. The proposed
five-year BSA curriculum was recommended by the
Commission on Higher education (CHED) Technical
Committee for Accountancy Education based on its
comparative analysis of the educational systems in
various countries (USA, Canada and other European
countries). The analysis showed that it takes an
average of sixteen years for a student in other
countries to complete a college education (seven years
in the elementary, five years in high school, four 4
years in college). This may imply, therefore, that the
level of education of our first year college student is
equivalent to 3 rd to 4 th year high school. In view of
this, the first two years of the proposed five-year
program is referred to as pre-university education.
Accordingly, professional education courses should be
offered only after completion of the two-year preuniversity
education.
The proposed BSA 2 + 3 program is a very
demanding, competitive, and rigorous course of study
that develops skills in critical thinking, problem
solving, written and oral communication, and
decision making, in addition to developing the
necessary tools to engage in lifelong learning after
graduation. To successfully complete the BSA
program, students are expected to possess a high level
of maturity, motivation, and self-discipline.
Specifically, CHED policies and standards state,
“Educators delivering professional accounting
education programs need to respond to the changing
needs of the international accountancy profession as
well as individual professional accountants. Hence,
their teaching methods should focus on providing
students with the tools for self-directed learning after
they become professional accountants. Educators are
free to adopt the methods that work best in their
particular cultures. However, they may need to be
trained and encouraged to use a broad range of
learner-centered teaching methods that include the
use of case studies, projects and other means to
simulate work situations; working in groups; adapting
instructional methods and materials to the everchanging
environment in which the professional
accountant works; pursuing a curriculum that
encourages self learning so that students learn to learn
on their own and carry out this skill with them after
becoming professional accountants; integrating
knowledge, skills, professional values, ethics and
attitudes across topics and disciplines to address
many-sided and complex situations typical of
professional demands; emphasizing problem
identification and problem-solving which encourages
identifying relevant information, making logical
assessments and communicating clear conclusions;
exploring research findings; and stimulating students
to develop professional skepticism and professional
judgment.” (L.T. Encio)
BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT
Dept hosts 6 th reg’l quiz bowl
The USA Department of Biological Sciences
hosted the 6 th Regional Inter- High School Biology
Quiz Bowl last 17 February 2010 at the Nursing
Review Room, Urdaneta Hall, University of San
Agustin. Thirty-eight public and private schools from
the region participated in the said event.
Anfernee Joan Ng of Sun Yat Sen High School,
Iloilo City emerged as the champion. Carl Lurenz T.
Ferasol from Buenavista National High School and
Smith N. Nuevaespaña from St. Louise de Marillac of
Miagao, garnered the second and third places,
respectively. (N.F. Latumbo)
Bio faculty elected as BIOTA-WV prexy
Prof. Ma. Delsa P. Gange, chair of the Department
of Biological Sciences of the University of San
Agustin, was elected president of the Biology Teachers
Association of the Philippines (BIOTA-Phils.), Inc. –
Western Visayas Chapter during the regional
convention held last 4-5 December 2009 at St.
Anthony’s College in San Jose, Antique.
Professors Ferly V. Peñaverde and Jennifer F.
Wong, both faculty members of the same department,