Incoming first year students arrived at the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) two weeks before the official registration schedule and marked the start of their academic journey as they participated in the annual Bridge Program in English and Mathematics conducted by the UPV Teaching and Learning Resource Center in collaboration with the Division of Humanities and Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics of the College of Arts and Sciences on July 23 to August 5, 2024.
The participants, totalling to 157 incoming first year students, underwent an intensive skills development and enrichment course in english and mathematics as part of the TLRC Bridge Program aiming to bridge the gap between exit skills at Senior High School level and entry skills of incoming college first year students.
While the TLRC was in charge of the overall conduct of the program, instructors from the Division of Humanities namely, Ms. Inaj Mae Abalajon, Ms. Danielle Regalado, and Ms. Maria Anjelica Wong served as faculty tutors for the English Bridge Program while DPSM instructors Mr. RB Jann Jamindang, Mr. Lorenz Terania, and Mr. Vincent Miclat served the same role in the math counterpart.
Following the Diagnostic Examination on the first day, the participants underwent day-to-day lectures, classroom activities, and assessments leading to the final examination on the last day, August 5.
The program culminated with an activity in the form of “Quiz Beh!,” a quiz bee in English and Mathematics facilitated by the faculty tutors that appealed to the enjoyment-seeking energy of the first year students followed by the closing program that highlighted the experiences of the participants.
Alluna Hervi S. Pacion of the BA in Communication and Media Studies degree program and Rachel Ann Basoy, a BS in Food Technology first year student were invited to talk on behalf of their Bridge Program batch for English and Mathematics, respectively and they not only expressed their enjoyment of learning in the program but also shared some experiences made with their newfound peers.
The TLRC hopes that through the Bridge Program, yearly incoming first year students would be enriched not only by the topics provided in the lessons but also by the spirit of lifelong learning.