2007 Outstanding Sillimanian Awards

The Order of Horace B. Silliman

Chief Justice to Keynote SULAW Assembly

SU JobLink Launching

Casocot Wins Third Palanca

Issue on dismantling of fences resolved

In our press statement released in the morning of August 9, we stated that Silliman was awaiting an official communication from the Exodus group formalizing their understanding that Silliman will dismantle the fences they set up on July 19 at the Silliman University Divinity School Village Compound. We are pleased that we have received in the late afternoon of the same day a letter from Col. Constantino Sayson and his lawyer, Atty. Hansel Anito, posing no objection to Silliman dismantling the fences built by the Biliran Family at the Divinity School Village Compound.

Silliman will be communicating with Col. Sayson on the details of the dismantling of fences, and will accordingly return to the Biliran Family the dismantled materials.

The letter from Col. Sayson rightfully speaks of the good faith and mutual cooperation of the Exodus group in the peaceful resolution of the issue at the Divinity Housing Compound. This is a decision that we commend the Exodus group for, and is no less a manifestation of Exodus’ equal concern for both the Silliman and the larger community of Dumaguete.

Silliman Calls for Peaceful Resolution of Land Ownership Issue

On July 19, 2007, elements of the group Exodus fenced off an area just outside the Silliman University Divinity Housing Compound near the Power Plant. Silliman, protecting its claims, was forced to respond by fencing off the larger area, enclosing their fence.

We wish this action of the group did not have to happen considering that the University has had numerous meetings with Col. Constantino Sayson who this University respects as the leader of Exodus. The meetings, often private and in absolute mutual confidence, manifested not only the University’s respect for Col. Sayson, but also its expectation that differences can be amicably settled among members of the same Dumaguete community. The intention of the University in granting the request of Col. Sayson for these meetings was to hear the side of Exodus and hopefully prevent any untoward incident that would compromise the safety of our faculty, staff, students and the community.

In all the meetings that the University President had with Col Sayson, the President reiterated that Silliman stands firm on its titles, deeds and claims, unless otherwise assailed by pronouncements and edicts of competent courts.

Following the July 19 incident, Col. Sayson and his two lawyers again requested to meet with the University President. The meeting was held on August 1, and both parties agreed to a peaceful dismantling of fences at the Divinity Housing Compound. Silliman now awaits a written communication from Exodus formalizing its agreement to have the University dismantle the fences, theirs and Silliman’s.

Silliman is as earnest as Exodus to find resolution to the latter’s claims against Silliman properties. But while we respect the right of the Exodus group to make adverse claims against the property of anyone (Silliman and others), we expect the same accordance of respect by Exodus that without contrary judgment by a competent court, Silliman shall protect its properties and shall exercise reasonable measure to ensure the welfare of its faculty, staff and students. This is why Silliman calls on the Exodus to abide by legal processes and allow the courts to decide on the issue or attempt other means of resolution provided for by law. This, Silliman believes, is the best and only way to solve the problem reasonably, amicably, and legally.

Iranian Deputy Minister Visit

The Deputy Minister of Science, Research and Technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran visited Silliman University on August 8 and met with University officials, including the deans and faculty of three colleges where most Iranian students are enrolled.

Deputy Minister Dr. Mahmoud Mollabashi was with Dr. Vahid Alli, Research Counselor and Director for Iranian Students Affairs for South Pacific Region and Consul Mr. Mir Mehdi. They made a courtesy call on Silliman President Ben Malayang III, and met with Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Betsy Joy Tan and the Deans and faculty members of the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Engineering and Design and Computer Studies.

In the meeting, the Deputy Minister was informed of the status of the students on campus, their academic performance, and their ability to interact with Filipino students. Despite the differences in culture, it was noted how Iranian students are able to speak English fluently and earn high marks in certain subjects.

The meeting also paved way for a discussion on opportunities of partnerships between Silliman and universities in Iran for possible research collaboration and faculty and student exchange.

Iranians, numbering 48, comprise the second largest group of foreign students at Silliman. There are 250 foreign students from 19 countries enrolled in the University.

Lecture Series

The School of Public Affairs and Governance (SPAG) has implemented its integrative lecture series program, under which professors from different fields are invited to Silliman University to speak on various issues of both national and global concern.

Organized with the colleges of Arts and Sciences (CAS), Business Administration (CBA) and Engineering and Design (CED), the first three lectures featured professors from Manila.

Two professors from the National College of Public Administration (NCPAG) spoke on July 27. Dr. Ledivina Cariño discussed “Graft and Corruption in Philippine Governance" at the Audio-Visual Theater to a group of faculty and students from CAS and SPAG. In the afternoon, Dr. Ben Cariño spoke on “Urban Planning in the Philippines Today”.

A third lecture was given at a University-wide convocation on August 2 at the Luce Auditorium by Atty. Adel Tamano, a law professor at the Ateneo de Manila University and Far Eastern University, and this year’s recipient of the NCPAG Achievement Award. Atty. Tamano discussed his views on the Human Security Act, highlighting provisions that support his argument on its unconstitutionality (click on link to Prof. Leonor Magtolis-Briones’ column, Out Where the Country Begins, found below.)

The integrative lectures are aimed at enhancing learning outside the classroom and at making issues relevant not only to a specific discipline. It supports the concept of a multidisciplinary approach to teaching.

Alumni Rank in Archery World Championships

Silliman University alumna and Philippine team archer Jennifer Chan ranked seventh in the recently concluded 44th Outdoor World Archery Championship in Leipzig, Germany.

She is the first Filipino to get into the top 8 spot of the world championships.

In the quarterfinals, Chan was succeeded by Russia with a point lead of 112 to 111 points. Chan went up against Mexico in the first and second elimination matches with 113 to 116 points against Italy. The perfect score is 120 points per match.

On the other hand, Mark Javier, another Silliman alumnus, finished 71st in the Men’s Recurve Individual Event in the same competition.

Both Chan and Javier will be participating in the Philippine team’s qualifying round for the South East Asian games this December. (the Weekly Sillimanian)

Divinity School Welcomes Japanese Guests

Nine students and two staff of the Japan Biblical Theological Seminar (JBTS) are on tour in Silliman University from July 31 to August 12 to take part in this year’s Philippine Intensive Course.

This exchange visit program brings Divinity students of the two institutions to Japan and Silliman each year. It seeks to: deepen the understanding of students of the global church and the concerns of church work in the Philippines and Japan; provide opportunities for students to experience cross-cultural encounters; and build up a new generation of church leaders with an international perspective.

The program was conceptualized in 1991 when Dr. Yoshihisa Kasahara of JBTS visited the Philippines and met with representatives of the Silliman University Divinity School. Actual visits began in 1997 when a group from Japan came to Silliman. In 1998, JBTS invited a group from the Divinity School to visit Japan.

Dr. Alcala to be Conferred Professor Emeritus

Silliman University will confer upon Dr. Angel C. Alcala the status of professor emeritus, recognizing his meritorious achievements particularly in the field of biological sciences and the service he has rendered to the University.

The conferral is scheduled on August 8, 3PM at the Luce Auditorium.

Dr. Alcala graduated from Silliman with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Biology, magna cum laude, and obtained the degrees of Master of Arts in Biological Sciences in 1960 and Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Sciences in 1966 from Stanford University, California, USA. In 1995, he was conferred Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, by Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City.

Committed to the academe, he taught at Silliman from 1952 to 1988, rising from the ranks as instructor to professor. He also held administrative positions, from Director of the University Research Center, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Vice President for Research, Extension and Development, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Director of the Marine Laboratory to University President (1991-1992).

He has also served the government as Deputy Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development, Department of Science and Technology, Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and as Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education.

MOU with Texas Tech University

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) exploring opportunities for nursing faculty and student exchange has been signed between Silliman University and Texas Tech University in July in Lubbock, Texas, USA.

The MoU was signed by Silliman President Ben S. Malayang III, during his visit to Canada and the United States for the Tipon 2007, a gathering of alumni in North America once every two years. Signing the MoU from Texas Tech University were President Bernhard Mittemeyer and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing (TTUHSC SON) Dean Alexia Green.

Under the MoU, “TTUHSC SON will allow use of an agreed upon number of faculty, particularly at the graduate level, for delivery of specific courses both on-site at Silliman University in Dumaguete City and through the use of distance learning technology.”

Both universities will also pursue potentials for faculty exchanges to address specific educational program development needs, and for student exchanges to enhance student learning and prepare graduates for increasing globalization of the health care market.

Silliman University and Texas Tech University will also collaborate in any research and programmatic opportunities and endeavors that are congruent with each institutions mission and goals.

English Instructor is Fulbright Scholar

A glimpse of Skyline College, host of English Department’s Warlito Caturay Jr. for his Fulbright program.

An instructor at the English Department is leaving for the United States on August 26 on a scholarship under the Fulbright Program.

Warlito Caturay Jr. will serve at Skyline College in San Bruno, California under a foreign language teaching assistantship program. He will also be taking some non-degree courses in American studies and foreign language teaching methodologies.

Caturay, who teaches basic communication courses and intensive composition, said the program will allow him to update his teaching strategies in foreign language and expose him to the American culture.

PT Freshman wins in ARAFURA Games

Physical Therapy freshman Zoe Emilea Menguito won gold and 3 bronze medals in the ARAFURA Games at Darwin, Australia. She won a gold medal in the 50-meter Butterfly, and a bronze medal in each of the following categories: 400-meter Individual Medley, 200-meter and 100-metter Butterfly.