Silliman, Sy-Sinda family establish the Dr. Ma. Teresita Sy-Sinda Award & Audiovisual Room in inked MoAs
Silliman University (SU) formalized a meaningful partnership with donor Luis M. Sy through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed on March 12, 2026, establishing the Dr. Ma. Teresita Sy-Sinda Best in Nursing Thesis Award, a tribute to the late Dr. Ma. Teresita Sy-Sinda and her legacy of academic excellence in nursing education. The award seeks to recognize outstanding undergraduate research produced by students of the Silliman University College of Nursing (SUCN) while fostering a culture of innovation, rigor, and evidence-based practice responsive to contemporary healthcare needs.
Under the agreement, an initial fund of ₱50,000 has been allocated, with annual contributions to sustain the award in perpetuity beginning School Year 2025–2026. A total of ₱25,000 will be granted each year, with ₱20,000 awarded to student researchers and ₱5,000 to their thesis adviser, reinforcing both scholarly achievement and mentorship in nursing research.
Moreover, a separate MoA between Dr. Walter Kenny S. Sinda III and SU was also formalized in the same meeting for the Dr. Ma. Teresita Sy-Sinda Audiovisual Room, which involves the renovation and retrofitting of a learning space into a state-of-the-art, technology-enhanced facility designed to support 21st-century teaching and learning.
Envisioned as a modern audiovisual room for the SUCN, the facility will feature upgraded audiovisual and smartboard technology, improved furnishings, enhanced lighting and ventilation, and strengthened electrical and network infrastructure. While the donor undertakes the funding, design, and implementation of the project, the University commits to providing the space, supporting oversight, and assuming responsibility for the facility’s long-term operation and maintenance after turnover.
Dr. Maria Teresita Sy-Sinda was a distinguished nursing educator, administrator, and researcher with a career spanning over four decades at Silliman University. She served as Dean and Professor of the University Graduate Programs and previously led the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, while also holding key leadership roles such as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the President. A recognized authority in nursing education, she chaired the Commission on Higher Education Technical Committee on Nursing Education and contributed extensively as a consultant, accreditor, and international visiting professor in the United States. Her academic credentials included a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing, a Doctor of Education major in Educational Administration, and a Master of Arts in Nursing, all from Silliman University.
Dr. Sy-Sinda’s contributions to nursing and health education were marked by impactful research, global engagements, and sustained leadership in professional organizations. She led major initiatives on primary health care, reproductive health, and gender-based violence integration in nursing curricula, and served as chair of the Philippine Nurses Association Board of Governors. An active scholar and speaker, she presented in international conferences across Asia and beyond and published works on nursing practice, education, and community health. Her excellence was recognized through numerous honors, including the Outstanding Negrense Award in Health Education, Outstanding in Nursing Education by the Philippine Nurses Association, multiple Most Productive Faculty Awards from Silliman University, and leadership distinctions such as the Anastacia Giron-Tupas Award.
