SIIM pioneering batch, SSU freshmen attend general orientation

Along with first-year students from the five (5) different colleges of Samar State University (SSU), the Student Welfare and Development Services (SWDS) held the first general orientation of the pioneering batch of the Samar Island Institute of Medicine at the SSU Gymnasium, October 3, 2024.

The university president, vice presidents, deans, associate deans, and other officials and staff also participated in the event.

Dr. Redentor Palencia, SSU President, lauded the SSU alumni present in the first batch of the SIIM.

“Believe in the power of hard work, believe in determination and perseverance, and most of all, we refuse to glorify poverty,” Dr. Palencia said on his inspirational message during the orientation.

Dr. Palencia also encouraged the students that poverty does not hinder education; education is one of the tickets to success, and each student can reach their goals with hard work and dedication.

Representing the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Felisa Gomba, the acting dean of the College of Education Dr. Laura Boller shared points in her opening remarks emphasizing on the lessons from the camera such as finding your focus, capturing only what is good [in life], learning to develop in the dark, and taking another shot when the picture is imperfect.

The AM session of the day-long orientation focused on the different staff and services offered in the different departments and offices of the university, namely the Student Affairs and Services, Administration and Finance, Research Institute, and Quality Assurance Office.

Meanwhile, in the PM session, Dr. Elmer Irene, Director of International Affairs, attested to the different achievements of SSU done internationally in 2023, along with the benefits of the internationalization of the university and steps on how to become an exchange student.

He also shared a sneak peek at the Vietnamese exchange students who will be coming to study at the College of Education in the coming weeks.

Other details regarding billings, registrar functions, the contents of the sports varsity manual, and the functions and activities of the SWDS were also discussed.

In the discussion on library resources and services, the SSU Librarian Maria Angie Suarez Del Real shared the details on the SIIM library located at the second floor of the College of Arts and Sciences Academic Building.

During the event, the top five students for the entrance examination for academic year 2024-2025 were also announced and given tokens.

To end the re/orientation week for freshmen, returnees, and transferee students, the student onboarding, student organization expo, and freshmen acquaintance will be taking place on Friday, October 4, at the SSU Grounds.