by Alexis Sybert Narvaez, B.S. Mechanical Engineering student

Accountancy students from Malayan Colleges Laguna’s (MCL) E.T. Yuchengco College of Business (ETYCB) emerged victorious in all three levels of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Laguna Chapter Accounting Quiz Bee held last February 22, 2021 via the Zoom video conferencing application. The six student representatives from MCL swept all the top places in the academic competition, winning as Champions and 1st Runners-Up in Basic Level for first year students, Intermediate Level for second year students, and Advanced Level for third year students.

Bagging the 1st place and the runner-up finish in the Basic Level category are Rhian Mico M. Fabella and Raiven S. Pabalan, respectively. Finishing in the first and second places in the Intermediate Level category are Christal Mae R. Villamin and Michael Antonio S. Santos. For the Advanced Level category of the quiz bee, Jana Marice O. Bercasio and Andrea Jane A. Arce won as the champion and the first runner-up, respectively. The coach behind the winning six-member pool of quizzers is Accountancy Program Chair Prof. Rizalina B. Ong.

The students however achieved this feat not without having to overcome challenges along the way, as this was their first experience taking part in a quiz bee held in a completely virtual environment. Also, they had to juggle between preparing for the competition and completing their course requirements as they took on the quiz bee on a short notice of less than a week of preparation.

“With the online setup, I was really worried about internet disruptions and other environment distractions,” shared Villamin. “However, our program chair kept saying that we should not worry because at the end of day, the experience is what really matters so we just have to enjoy it and give it our best,” said Bercasio. On the other hand, “It is a fulfilling experience to uphold the reputation of our institution and bring honor to it,” Santos stated.

With the excellent performance of garnering the top places in all levels in the PICPA Laguna Chapter showcase, our student representatives earned the right to participate in the PICPA Regional Accounting Quiz Bee on April 23, 2021.

Message from Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea, former President and CEO of Malayan Colleges Laguna and Malayan Colleges Mindanao

Starting April 12, 2021, Engr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo will be the President and CEO of both Malayan Colleges Laguna and Malayan Colleges Mindanao. It is an appointment he richly deserves as the person most instrumental in the establishment, growth and success of both institutions. Let us all wish him well and continue to support him in his new positions!

Reynaldo B. Vea
President & CEO

April 11, 2021

Congratulations, Engr. Dodjie Maestrecampo!

As the new President and CEO of MCL and MCM, he will continue to strive towards excellence in innovative digital learning to empower students and faculty in our journey to build professionals.

Prior to this appointment, Engr. Dodjie Maestrecampo served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Malayan Colleges Laguna from 2006 to 2017, and of Malayan Colleges Mindanao from 2018 to 2021.

With this change, MCL renews its commitment to its mission to provide quality education, enhance the employability of graduates, and contribute to the solution of real world problems through research, all while fulfilling its vision to become a global steeple of excellence in these fields.

Through the promise of striving for student success, Engr. Maestrecampo will carry on in leading the Laguna and Davao counterparts of Mapúa University towards building Filipino education to consistently meet global standards.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hui-Lin Ong from the University Malaysia Perlis served as the plenary speaker of the 2021 MCL Faculty Research Colloquium.

by Jameela Lim, B.S. Chemical Engineering student

With the theme “Research Innovations for the Service of the Society,” Malayan Colleges Laguna (MCL) conducted its 2021 MCL Faculty Research Colloquium last 24th of March 2021. Led by Prof. Dr. Liza B. Patacsil, Director for Research Promotion and Coordination Office (RPCO), the online conference was divided into three sessions, and featured different scientific research spearheaded by members of the MCL community. The platforms used are Blackboard Collaborate for the plenary, and Microsoft Teams for the breakout sessions.

The colloquium was initially graced by the presence of plenary speaker, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hui-Lin Ong from the University Malaysia Perlis, with her speech titled “Scholarly Writing of Articles for Publication and Research Proposals”.

SESSION A: MAPUA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IN LAGUNA (MITL)

Internet-Based Electric Meter with Theft Detection, Theft Notification, and Consumption Monitoring for Residential Power Lines Using Wireless Network Technology. Presented by Electrical Engineering Program Chair Engr. Maria Criselda Loyola, this research is currently published in the International Journal of Electrical and Electronic Engineering & Telecommunications (IJEETC), and initially won Session IV’s Best Presentation Award at the International Conference on Information and Electronics Engineering (ICIEE) 2019 held in Japan.

Mechanical Properties of Recycled Polypropylene Macro Flat Fiber Reinforced Concrete with Rice Hull Ash as Partial Replacement to Cement. This research was elaborated in the colloquium by Civil Engineering Faculty Member Engr. Neslyn Principio and was initially presented at the International Conference on Composite Material, Polymer Science and Engineering (CMPSE2019) held in Thailand last October 2019.

Characterization of Low-Pressure Nitrogen Plasma Discharge and Pre-Oxidation on the Surface Characteristics of Activated Carbons. Detailed in the conference by Chemical Engineering Faculty Member Engr. Ria Grace Abdon, the mentioned study was initially presented at the International Conference on Material Science and Engineering Technology (ICMSET2019) held in Singapore last October 2019.

Steam Integrated Flattening Machine for Bamboo Units. This study was the first out of five successive papers shared to the audience by Mechanical Engineering Faculty Member Engr. Alexander Hamilton Atienza. It is currently published in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering Volume 739.

Multi-Directional Forced Convection Kiln Oven Drying System for Bamboo Culms. This research was presented at the International Conference on Advanced Materials, Mechanics and Structural Engineering (AMMSE2019) held last October 2019. It can also be accessed in IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering Volume 739.

Small Scale Bubbling Fluidized Bed Gasifier for Syngas Extraction from Napier grass.

Solar Dryer with Reheating System for Annatto Fruit Pericarp.

Dual Grinding and Mixing Machine for Vermicompost and Worm Biomass Production. This study, the last of Engr. Atienza’s presentations, was initially featured at the 1st International Conference on Biomass Utilization and Sustainable Energy (ICoBiomasSE) held last December 2020 via Zoom.

SESSION B: COLLEGE OF COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCE (CCIS)

BMIMATIC: Body Mass Index Derivation from Captured Images. One of the two investigations presented by Information Technology Faculty Member Dr. Adomar Ilao, this study was first elaborated at the 11th International Conference on Digital Image Processing (ICDIP2019) in the Republic of China last May 2019.

Transcription of Guitar Chords from Acoustic Audio. The last of Dr. Ilao’s presentations, this study was initially presented at the Asia Conference on Machine Learning and Computing (ACMLC2019) held in Hong Kong last December 2019.

Computation and Numerical Modelling Simulation for Classification of Water Quality at Laguna Lake. Detailed by Computer Science Program Chair Jonalyn Ebron, this study was also initially featured at the ACMLC 2019.

Web and Mobile Ticketing and Service Tracking for Customer Engagement of a Small Accounting Firm. This research was elaborated to the colloquium attendees by Information Systems Faculty Member Dr. Ellenita Red, and was presented at the 5th International Conference on E-business & Mobile Commerce in Taiwan last May 2019.

Web Log Analysis of a Digital Game-based Learning System in Vocabulary Enrichment for College Students. The last of Dr. Red’s presentation for the colloquium, this research was one of the many presented at the ACMLC 2019 in Hong Kong last December 2019.

Simuline: Cloud-Based Waiting Line Management Tool with Mobile Technology. This study was the first out of two successive papers presented by Information Technology Faculty Member Rhea Tortor.

Online Workflow Management System for Streamlining the Processing of Business Permits in a Local Government Unit. This research was initially elaborated at the 5th International Conference on E-business & Mobile Conference.

Wireless Network Enabled Rice Black Bug Traps with Meteorological Wind Sensory System and Intelligent Trap Distance Detection via Dynamic Univariate Data Analysis. This study was one of the three successive research elaborated by Information Technology and Computer Science Faculty Member Dr. Dennis Martillano. The said study was initially detailed at the International Conference on Networking and Information Technology (ICNIT2019).

Borehole Wells and Near-Surface Greenhouse Real-time Gas Emission Monitoring System for Solid Waste Management Facilities with Self-Calibrating Algorithm via Linear Regression and Zone-based Data Analysis via Clustering Technique. Determining Smokers’ Quitting Behavior Patterns for Multi-level Intervention of a Smoking Cessation Program. This research was initially presented at the International Conference on Knowledge Discovery (ICKD2019).

SESSION C: COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCE (CAS), MAPUA-PTC COLLEGE OF MARITIME EDUCATION & TRAINING (CMET), & E.T. YUCHENGCO COLLEGE OF BUSINESS (ETYCB)

My Research Journey: The Long and Winding Road to Happiness. Detailed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evangeline Timbang CHE, CGSP.

A [Research] Writing from Scratch! Presented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Millano Torres.

Research for a Cause: A Philippines for Live Strong Experience. Elaborated by CAS Faculty Member Algene De Guzman.

Emerging Strategies for Resource Recovery from Wastewater. This study was presented by Ms. Amelia Parao.

Complete Tripartite Graphs with Spanning Maximal Planar Subgraphs. The research was published in the Journal of the Mathematical Society of the Philippines Col. 42 No. 2 (2019) pp. 1-10, and was elaborated in the colloquium by CAS Faculty Members Velimor Almonte and Emmanuel Natalio.

The MCL Faculty Research Colloquium is an event done annually with the aim of showcasing the community’s contribution to the pool of knowledge available worldwide. Much of the research done have received recognition both locally and internationally.

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.