Dagupan City, June 24, 2024 — In a significant stride towards integrating sustainable practices and advanced technological skills into its educational framework, Lyceum-Northwestern University (L-NU) hosted two pivotal initiatives: LNU-LEAP (Leadership, Engagement, and Action for Progress in Sustainable Development Goals) and IGNITE (Innovative and Generative AI Training for Educators). Held at the Salvador T. Duque Fieldhouse, the event saw the enthusiastic participation of 163 L-NU personnel.
These initiatives, crucial for the collective growth and development of the university, were meticulously organized by the Center for Curriculum Innovation and Professional Development under the Academic Affairs Office. They were conducted in collaboration with the International and External Affairs Office, the Information Technology Technical Support Group, the Human Resource Department, and the Quality Assurance Office.
LNU-LEAP-Embedding Sustainability in Education:
LNU-LEAP is a strategic initiative focused on embedding sustainable development principles into the university’s core activities. This program aims to foster leadership, enhance engagement, and drive actionable progress towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Participants also received an orientation on university rankings such as THE Impact Rankings, WURI, and UI Green Metric.
The day commenced with an invocation, the National Anthem, and the L-NU hymn, led by the Information Technology Technical Support Group. Dr. Marina O. Abella, Vice President for Academic Affairs, delivered the opening message and inaugurated the LEAP segment with a talk on “The Role of HEIs in Fostering Global Citizenship.”
Dr. Rodney Odesson Raguindin, Head of the Center for Curriculum Innovation and Professional Development, followed with an insightful session on “The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.” He also conducted a workshop on mapping programs and curricula according to the UN SDGs. Mr. Zachary Javelona, Head of Quality Assurance, showcased a video about “The UI GreenMetrics,” further emphasizing sustainability metrics.
The segment concluded with a talk on “The World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI)” by Dr. Veronica Aquino, Vice President for International and External Affairs, who announced a contest for the best SDG initiative.
IGNITE-Empowering Educators with Advanced Technological Skills
The IGNITE initiative aimed to empower faculty members with cutting-edge skills in Google Workspace, Cybersecurity, and Generative AI. The training included practical exercises, collaborative projects, and real-world applications to help educators seamlessly integrate these technologies into their teaching methodologies.
Ms. Angel Lim from the IT Technical Support Group kicked off the IGNITE session with a talk on Google Workspace. This was followed by an engaging workshop on Generative AI and Cybersecurity by Dr. Elizalde Berba, Head of the Information Technology Technical Support Group. Dr. Rodney Odesson Raguindin then presented a lecture on “Assessing with Integrity: Strategies for Authentic Evaluation in AI-Enhanced Learning.”
The day concluded with a wrap-up and synthesis session, culminating in a closing message by Mr. Marcelino Santiago, Director of the Human Resource Department. He emphasized the importance of these initiatives in preparing L-NU educators to meet the demands of 21st-century education. Mr. Joel Cerezo, Principal of the Creative Montessori Center, served as the emcee of the said event.
Moving Forward:
The successful execution of LNU-LEAP and IGNITE marks a significant milestone in Lyceum-Northwestern University’s journey towards sustainability and technological advancement. As the university continues to integrate sustainable practices and advanced technological skills into its educational framework, these initiatives lay a robust foundation for future growth and development.
L-NU remains committed to fostering an environment of continuous learning and innovation, ensuring that its faculty and staff are well-equipped to lead the way in sustainable development and cutting-edge education technologies.






