Bannering the theme, “Bicol HEIs: Shaping the Future Together in the Era of Social Media and AI,” Sorsogon State University (SorSU), together with Veritas College of Irosin, hosted the two-day 2024 Bikol Foundation for Higher Education (BFHE) Conference and General Assembly, which runs from August 13-14, 2024, at the SorSU Social Hall, Sorsogon City Campus.
In her welcome remarks, SUC President III, Dr. Geraldine F. De Jesus, expressed the University’s full support and assistance in the success of the two-day regional conference. SorSU President De Jesus underscored in her message that the administration, curriculum planning and design, instruction, and evaluation must be adapted to integrate technological advancements, like social media and AI, in education, as these are now replacing time-honored resources associated with the educational process.
She remarked, “We hope that, at the event’s conclusion, the technical innovations and practices presented will enrich and inspire all of us who participated — and share all learnings to others in our own institutions.”
Meanwhile, Hon. Maria Ester E. Hamor (City Mayor, Sorsogon City) encouraged attendees to strive for a fitting balance between timeless methods and today’s social media and AI innovations.
Dr. Ethel Agnes Pascua-Valenzuela (CHED Commissioner & SorSU BOR Chairperson), the distinguished keynote speaker, engaged the participants on the promising role of artificial intelligence in the education sector, highlighting its potential and challenges, as well as its opportunities that the HEIs could capitalize on, such as nurturing AI talent and upskilling workforce, supporting AI innovation system, and investing in AI research and development, among others.
Prior to Comm. Valenzuela’s keynote message, Dr. Fay Lea Patria M. Lauraya (President, University of Nueva Caceres & Vice President, BFHE) provided the conference overview, while the participants/participating schools/sponsors were introduced/acknowledged by Atty. Remeliza Alfelor-Moraleda (Secretary, BFHE).
The afternoon session highlighted plenary lectures, comprising Plenary Talk 1: Internationalization of HE: Challenges and Opportunities in the AI and Digitization Era and Virtual Plenary Talk 2: Artificial Intelligence for Higher Education Institutions; BFHE’s business meeting; Conversation on Internationalization with British Council Country Director and Team; and election of new set of officers among the elected members of the BFHE Board. Additionally, a Dinner and Solidarity Night with cultural presentations is also arranged for the participants in the evening event. Further, Day 2 featured a Research and Development forum through parallel sessions.
Among the objectives of the two-day conference are updating the BFHE members on BFHE organizational milestones to promote a higher level of collaborative engagement among Bicol HEIs; evaluating the challenges and opportunities to Bicol HEIs of social media and artificial intelligence; and facilitating the exchange of best practices and innovative approaches among HEIs in areas of instruction, research, extension, production, and administration. (SorSU PIO)
