Malayan Colleges Laguna (MCL) closed 2020 with success as it obtained a three-star overall rating from the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Star Rating System from the United Kingdom. The institution received the information from the QS Intelligence unit last December 22, 2020.

Ever committed to its institutional goals, MCL is constantly on the lookout for credible and esteemed accrediting bodies or rating systems that would attest to the kind of education it offers, according to Engr. Maribel G. Songsong, MCL’s Vice President for Academic Affairs.

The QS Star Rating System is one such performance-based metric system that encompasses the key aspects of MCL’s mission. It gives star ratings to higher education institutions (HEIs) and universities, providing their students and other stakeholders a picture of their strengths and distinct values while recognizing achievements in various areas of operations. Each HEI that applies for QS Stars undergoes a rigorous evaluation process in a range of categories, and receives a rating for each, along with an overall rating.

Categories for rating

The four criteria and eight categories included in MCL’s evaluation are the following: Core Criteria, with Teaching, Employability, Internationalization, and Academic Development or Research as categories; Learning Environment/Facilities Criteria; Specialist/Program Strength; and Advanced Criteria, with Social Responsibility and Inclusiveness as categories.

Besides the three-star overall rating, MCL received a five-star rating for Employability, proof of the competence of its graduates as professionals in their own fields; a four-star rating for Facilities, for its smart campus and drive to deliver an advanced learning experience for students; and, in being true to its mission to contribute to the solution of industry’s and society’s problems through the various engagements of students with communities, three-star ratings for Social Responsibility and Inclusiveness. Through this, the institution has leveled up its national stature, assuring students and stakeholders of its dedication to its vision.

Commitment to excellence

“In spite of the pandemic and the uncertainty brought by COVID-19, MCL is committed to delivering quality education and in preparing our students for the global workforce. The achievement of a three-star rating in QS in these trying times is truly a resounding testament to MCL’s determination to live to its promise,” said Engr. Anthony Hilmer S. Medrano, MCL’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

“This achievement is a result of the hard work of faculty and students as well as our administrators and staff,” he added. “MCL will continue to improve its systems and devote itself to fully achieving its vision of becoming a global steeple of excellence in professional education.”

The journey for QS Stars was initiated by MCL’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea, who envisions MCL to become a globally recognized institution producing graduates at par with international counterparts, with the QS Stars rating being one of the strategic goals in place for realizing it.

“QS Stars are a way to assess institutions more broadly than through rankings, taking into consideration dozens of set indicators based on global standards and best practices. The 3-star rating awarded to MCL further proves that not only is it one of the best schools in CALABARZON, but is also one that can hold its own in both national and international stages; and is supplementing evidence that an institution’s young age is not a hindrance to achieving excellence,” said Dr. Vea.

“With it, we are able to pinpoint MCL’s strengths while recognizing what can be improved upon. May this achievement be a reminder and an encouragement for the MCL community to continue working together to ensure continuous quality improvement, and to always aim higher – consistency and the drive to go beyond will surely lead to the award of more QS Stars.”

A collective effort

Having been inspired by Dr. Vea’s leadership and commitment to realize MCL’s vision, a team composed mostly of department and college heads was created to help in completing the requirements in accordance with the QS Stars methodology. With collective effort, the team collated data sets and evidence used to satisfy the performance metrics, which were then reviewed and consolidated by the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs before being submitted to the QS Intelligence Unit.

“The full support and cooperation of the team made it possible to accomplish the requirements in due time,” shared Engr. Songsong. “I wish to convey my gratitude to the entire team. It was a long but worthwhile journey, considering the challenges we faced from doing the arduous tasks due to the pandemic crisis. Ultimately, we were able to reap what we sowed because of the hard work and commitment of everyone involved in realizing this goal.”

Gearing up for more QS stars

“Rest assured that with the Continuous Quality Improvement process in place and with the imbued culture of excellence and virtue in the MCL community, we will continue to maintain a high standard in delivering our commitment of quality education for our students and stakeholders,” continued Engr. Songsong.

“With this, it is our hope for MCL students to continue well in their studies, be inspired to fulfill their dreams of becoming professionals who are globally competitive, and be able to contribute to the nation and the society. May this three-star rating inspire us even more to keep moving forward and continue innovating to improve our systems and processes so that we can contribute to nation building by producing competent professionals with desirable character.”

Being MCL’s first rating for the system, the overall three (3) QS Stars and the evaluation done has given the administration helpful insights on both the institution’s strengths and the areas that need further improvement. Gearing up for international recognition, the next step for MCL is to achieve more QS stars in the future by focusing on strengthening its internationalization program. This includes forging partnerships with international HEIs to do collaborative research and attracting international students for exchange programs in the coming years.

“Success comes with great responsibility, strategic planning, proper communication and coordination, as well as commitment and teamwork guided by strong vision and leadership,” added Engr. Songsong, reiterating that MCL will continue to push to the limits to reach for more QS stars.

Administrators and staff from Malayan Colleges Laguna (MCL) have been named winners of the Blackboard Award for Professional Development this August 2020.

The award recognizes those who use Blackboard programs to support and enhance their faculty and staff’s training and professional development. This can include anything from creative learning opportunities to on-the-job training in the newest technologies and should display an organization-wide dedication to innovative development programs.

Founded in 2005, the annual Awards recognize and honor innovation and excellence in the Blackboard global community of practice, where millions of educators and learners work every day to redefine what is possible when leveraging technology. Winners are selected by a cross-functional team of Blackboard experts.

The recipients from MCL are Asst. Prof. Abigail Joy Rodelas-Angelia, Director, Office for Educational Content Management (OECM); Ms. Carina Victoria T. Adanza, Assistant Vice President, Office for Human Resources and Administrative Services (OHRAS); Mr. John Mark L. Almarez, E-Learning Coordinator; Asst. Prof. Raychelle R. Artuz, Director, Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement (CSCE); Asst. Prof. Khristian G. Kikuchi, Dean, College of Computer and Information Science (CCIS); Prof. James Ronald O. Mesina, Assistant Vice President for Academic Services and Director, Office for Strategic Partnerships and Global Enagement (OSPGE); Dr. Roel C. Rodrigo, Director, Learning Environments and Innovations Office (LEIO); Ms. Pearl Stephanie Ulep, OSPGE Officer; and Ms. Sharyl B. Zarate, Mathematics Cluster Coordinator of MCL Senior High School (MCL-SHS).

“Designing an employee development program aimed at making co-workers shine and succeed despite a challenging backdrop is a rare experience. We may only get to do this at a time of a global pandemic!” Asst. Prof. Angelia shared. “I am grateful to this team for the push they gave to achieve the goals of the projects under the #samaOLL program — Learning During the Quarantine (LDQ), Interactive Learning Assets for Digital Delivery (iLeaD), self-paced Blackboard courses for MCL faculty, and MCL Lifelong Learners. Most of all, I admire the grit and positive mindset of the MCL community at such a difficult time. We inspire each to grow together as a team, everyone included, #samaOLL.”

The program name “#samaOLL” is a play on the modern Filipino saying “Sana all” and OLL, which stands for Opportunities for Lifelong Learning.

“We’re pleased to honor this year’s Blackboard Award winners for their commitment to improving the educational experience for all learners through EdTech and sharing these insights with the broader community,” said Lee Blakemore, Chief Client Officer and President, Global Markets at Blackboard. “We’re proud to partner with institutions who are innovating to advance student success.”

MCL’s team was announced alongside other Blackboard winners during TLC Asia Pacific, Blackboard’s annual user conference held virtually last August 26 to 27, 2020.

Malayan Colleges Laguna (MCL), through its Admissions Office and Office for Educational Content Management (OECM) and in coordination with its faculty members from the colleges and MCL Senior High School (MCL-SHS), is holding MCL CyberCamp 2020: A Walkthrough of MCL’s Virtual Learning Spaces this July 21 to August 21.

Designed to help acquaint new enrolled students with MCL’s learning management system (LMS), which is key to the school’s New Normal Learning Delivery Program, CyberCamp 2020 is also an opportunity for new students to review essentials in Math, Science, and English.

“We made sure we covered the relevant topics as freshmen take their online academic courses for the incoming school year. It also gives them a chance to practice answering assessments, discussion boards, and connect online with their peers and mentors,” said Asst. Prof. Abigail Joy Rodelas-Angelia, OECM Director. “Exposure to these skills is crucial to student success, that’s why their participation in CyberCamp can propel them to do better in their academic courses. This way, they can warm up to a learning platform that may otherwise be unfamiliar to them.”

According to Asst. Prof. Angelia, CyberCamp 2020 is a freshman encounter, an acquaintance party, and a deep dive into the MCL online academic platforms. The experience also boosts of perks such as free access to Coursera, live virtual classes from expert mentors, and rich discussions with classmates and peers.

“This year is remarkable and exciting because not only will MCL offer online courses, we will also offer fully online degrees, and the CyberCamp experience will give students a head start on our platforms,” Asst. Prof. Angelia continued. “While it’s a fact that younger students are more comfortable with technology (Czaja, etal., 2006), there’s still a learning curve that students need to surpass in order to be more familiar and competent with the use of apps and tools related to learning. It is the team’s hope that this learning curve will be less steep for students who joined this course.”

Based on comments from participants, CyberCamp 2020 has been successful so far in helping students adjust to the New Normal that is online learning.

“We are overwhelmed with the response and positive feedback from new MCL students regarding their experience,” shared Asst. Prof. Angelia. “It is not only a chance for new students to get to know MCL better, but it is also an opportunity for the mentors to get to know how creative, talented, and smart this new generation is.”

New MCL-SHS students and college freshmen may join CyberCamp 2020 by logging in to Blackboard Learn, the MCL LMS.