The College of Arts and Sciences recently launched its 2021 CAS Dean’s Awards for Outstanding Performance and Achievement. The 2021 UPV-CAS Dean’s Awards is the first-ever award system instituted in the College of Arts and Sciences by Dean Alice Joan G. Ferrer. The CAS Awards recognizes the outstanding performances of its faculty and staff in teaching, research, creative work, public service, and administrative functions. 

The annual orientation on  UP policies and guidelines is not for compliance for promotion but a way of life for the College, said Prof. Encarnacion Emilia S. Yap, dean, and professor of fisheries science of the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS).

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Three awardees for outstanding performance and achievements in UP Visayas this year come from the College of Arts and Sciences. They are Dr. Wilfredo L. Campos of the Division of Biological Sciences, Associate Prof. Kevin Peter Amado P. Piamonte of the Division of Humanities, and Ms. Hannah Liza Novesteros from the Office of the College Secretary.

• SDG 4: Quality Education

Professors from the different divisions and departments of the University of Philippines Visayas gathered at the UPV Little Theatre from April 28 to 30, 2021, to conduct workshops concerning the efforts of the Division to shift from the current Master of Education (M. Ed.) to the Master of Arts in Education (MA. Ed.) program. 

Communication and Media Studies (CMS) students taking the CMS 179 (Special Topics in Cinema), under filmmaker Arden Rod Condez, are spearheading the showing of student-produced films through ABS-CBN’s online platform, KTX. 

Chancellor Clement Camposano welcomed the 301st Brigade of the Philippine Army led by its Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. Marion R. Sison at the UPV Miagao campus on April 19, 2021. The meeting was part of the thrust of the UPV administration to promote mutual understanding between institutions and establish lines of communication between UP Visayas and the military establishment. 

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being

The UPV Health Services Unit personnel received their first dose of the Sinovac Covid-19 Vaccine. The number of vaccinated personnel comprises 92% of the total personnel assigned to HSU Miagao and Iloilo City Campuses. The security guards and the janitorial staff who are stationed at HSU Miagao also got vaccinated. The HSU personnel did not experience adverse reactions after having their first dose. The second dose of the vaccine will be administered four weeks after the first dose.

Despite the work-from-home and remote learning arrangements in UP Visayas resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, the College of Arts and Sciences managed to celebrate its anniversary this year, albeit virtually. The CAS Day 2021 led by the new dean Dr. Alice Joan G. Ferrer was held last March 25th with a series of activities designed to bring fun and laughter to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and retirees who took part in the celebration via Zoom. 

Dr. Alice Joan G. Ferrer, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, served as a panelist during two sessions of the Department of Science and Technology - National Academy of Science and Technology Visayas Regional Scientific Meeting on April 13 - 14, 2021, via Zoom. The theme for the event is “COVID-19 Pandemic: Learning from the Past, Coping with the Present, Moving to the Next”.