To empower the new hires in the University, DMMMSU spearheaded the training/workshop titled SM.I.LE which stands for Self-Mastery, Image, Leadership Education on September 10, 2021.

The said training aimed to provide professional upskilling to prepare the participants for 21st century self-leadership skills; help participants in understanding the importance of self-mastery, image enhancement, and leadership education in facing the VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) world and in dealing with the complexities of the new normal; and offer practical protocols to support each participant in achieving work performance that delights the leaders and stakeholders they serve.

The training was led by Dr. Estrella N. Perez, DMMMSU Vice President for Administration, and Atty. Kristine Gay B. Balanag, University Human Resource Management Officer and Director for Administrative Services.

One hundred-fifty (150) non-teaching/support staff and new hire faculty members from different operating units of DMMMSU participated in the said training.

The lead facilitators were Prescilla M. Villanueva (SLUC), Maria Cecilia P. Fontanilla (CA), Judyleen M. Sanchez (NLUC), Claudia Denisse P. Barbadillo (OUS), Rafhie C. Nullar (MLUC), Benjamin F. Rivera (SRDI), and Venelyn L. Bersamira (NARTDI).

Canvas LMS was used as the mode of delivery while Zoom was used in the conference and other breakout sessions. Nonetheless, for the collaborative activities, some operating units decided to convene in a common venue and had the centralized virtual viewing and participation in the different sessions.

In the training design, VP Perez stipulated that there is a need to assist workers in understanding themselves in order for them to adapt faster and better to the current societal and work conditions. She went on to say that successful and satisfying service delivery in the midst of the pandemic is critical, and the well-being of the employees who have kept their jobs is one of the school administration’s top priorities.

The training was conducted in collaboration with Bryce Inspired Careers, a first-to-market full-service career development institution that pioneered the industry-bridge-within-a-school model in the Philippines and throughout the region. The model focuses on integrating the Employability Quotient-Driven model into the curriculum as a novel and cost-effective way to reap the benefits of smaller-scale but cutting-edge skill training to supplement learning in the formal education system. (Jerald Saculles)