University of Batangas remains engaged in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The University continues to mobilize its resources and community to respond to the crisis.
Academic Continuity in times of Crisis
In response to the suspension of classes after community quarantine was placed over the country, the Academics has arranged all the guidelines to guarantee that learning continues despite the crisis. Online learning through UBian Learning Management System (LMS) was used with special considerations and modifications as regards compliance with learning outcomes and competencies. The faculty members were reminded of realistic workload and deadlines in consideration of students who do not have or limited access to internet connection.
University Relief Efforts through Community Extension Services Office
The University saw the need for intensified support for the frontliners who devoted themselves and rendered services to save lives and prevent the spread of Covid-19. With the full efforts of the health work forces, the University aimed to support them as they serve community during this pandemic. University of Batangas raised funds for a span of two weeks to buy the needed Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the frontliners working in hospitals and laboratories in Batangas. From the first wave of the fundraising drive, the University through the Community Extension Services Office was able to raise twenty two thousand five hundred pesos (Php 22,500). With the shared financial donations, first fifteen sets of PPEs were purchased and donated to the health work forces of Batangas Medical Center last April 20, 2020. Also to mention, representatives of UB Graduate School donated washable cloth face masks for COVID-19 frontliners and some personnels of gasoline stations around Batangas City last April 22, 2020. Indeed, small actions combined together can make a difference.
Online Career Guidance, Employment Coaching and Job Postings through Community Relations Alumni and Placement Office (CAPO)
As the world wrestles with the unprecedented implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Relations, Alumni and Placement Office of the University continuously provide support to the valued clientele. From the household, the alumni and the future workforce players can still access Career Guidance and Employment Coaching from the CAPO personnel. Placement services such as Resume Review, Interview Advice, and Individual Advising are unceasingly provided by CAPO staff. Also, valued clientele remains updated with the latest career options through job postings on the official Facebook page of UB CAPO. The CAPO lives up to its commitment to assist students and graduates in achieving career aspirations.
Pioneering PEN-DEMIC 2020
During this global crisis brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, people tend to be involved in another kind of pandemic which many fail to put much attention- misinformation. With this, PENDEMIC 2020, an online contest was organized by Westernian Pioneer and Tunog Pamantasan, the Official Student Publications of UB Junior High School Department, with the theme of “Might of Pens: Shading Misinformation by Writing what is Right.” Through pens, people may fight and purge misinformation. The contest was open to all Grades 7 to 12 students of UB. Incoming Grade 7 and 11 students were also highly encouraged to join. The contest was divided into four categories: Essay Writing (English/Filipino), Poster Making, Infographics, Developmental Communication. Guidelines and criteria for each categories were posted online for everyone’s reference. Entries were submitted from April 20-27 through private message on the official Facebook page. After two days, winners were announced in the Facebook page of the publication. Cash, Certificate and Pioneer shirt were the prizes for the winners. Through this, students were reminded to practice responsible handling of information, and to shade out false facts with the truth.
Guidance Counseling and Health Office (GCHO) Online Services
With everything that is going now, UB Guidance Counseling and Health Office assures to be at service and ready to give support even from a distance. The office provides Online Psycho-Educational Materials that provide worthwhile information that uplifts spirit of individuals, Mental Health Center Directories with a list of credible mental health providers with their respective contact details who offer telehealth in case someone needs them, Official COVID-19 updates such as links for the reliable sources of information concerning the current global pandemic and Continued Online Consultation with on-going counseling cases. To know more about the online services of the office, students may visit the official Facebook Page of GCHO.
University Operations (Online Payment and Admission Procedures)
Flexible work arrangements which include telecommunicating and work from home were observed by the community to ensure that services and operations of the University continues. Affected employees are expected to deliver outputs based on deadlines set and keep communication lines open such as phone, email and virtual meeting.
Also, to mitigate the COVID-19 impact on the admission process, students may undergo online application to process the admission to University of Batangas. UB Admission Tests (UBAT) for A.Y 2020-2021 for Basic Education and College are waived. Students or enrollees who will undergo Online Application will be considered conditionally admitted and will be given slots for enrollment upon resumption of operations. However, students who cannot avail online application due to unavailability of internet connection may call or send message at 09666476034. Moreover, students who previously took their online application as well as those who had undergone entrance examination for this Academic Year do not need to take another online application. Likewise, enrollees who have graduated from them University do not need to comply anymore on this requirement. Different channels of settlement were offered by the University for the safety and convenience of the valued clientele.
University of Batangas is in solidarity with the students, parents and community during these trying times. The University assures that it will remain committed in providing support and resources.