De La Salle University-Dasmariñas ITC Updates

In coordination with the HRMO, headed by Dr. Cris Alonzosana, the OIPR Unit organized an IT Training for Support Staff from August 30-September 1. This was carried out to improve and keep the personnel's technical skills steady with the university's IT development. Three sessions were devoted to the topics: Basic Computer Troubleshooting and Macromedia Flash, which were thoroughly discussed by the two resource speakers from the Computer Studies Department: Mr. Amiel Del Rosario and Mr. Elmer Bertudez. The training was well attended with at least 20 participants in each of the three sessions.

For almost two months of implementation, 116 significant events in the university have been posted thru the Post Events Online, web unit's automated system devised to easily facilitate sending of event details for posting as announcements. Such figures reflect the dedication and motivation of the users, the office/department/college clerks and secretaries . To recognize their active participation in keeping the DLSU-D community informed about events which involve our students, faculty, administrators, and staff, the top 10 early senders and the top 5 users for August were given souvenir items as token. The unit hopes that all users would continuously send details of their offices ' activities through Post Events Online as it is indeed a tie-up of the said sector and the unit in disseminating information. Web Unit, which could be reached at local 3195, will be grateful to accommodate those who have not yet attended the Post Events Online Training.

1. Maedelyn Obispo                  OSS
2. Dina Gagasa                         COE
3. Rhowie Flores                       HRMO
4. Ruby Saquiton                      VPDEA
5. Edith Saulog Jordan               LCDC

1. Luisa Abiador                CLA
2. Felicitas Poblete            AEA
3. Edith Saulog-Jordan       LCDC
4. Venetia Druza                KFP
5. Florence Cagas             CMO
6. Katheryine Bengil           ULFO
7. Rhowie Flores                HRMO
8. Ruby Saquiton               VPDEA
9. Marilyn Montemayor       ICO
10. Marichu Tolentino           MD

A project initiated by the Office of the VPFAS in response to the findings and recommendation done by Mr. Sancho Castro, a Finance Consultant, payroll decentralization has been conceptualized. It aims to improve alignment of function, eliminate duplication of office efforts, enrich document and process control and optimize the use of IT resources. To note, o ne of the recently accomplished automation projects is the payroll system.

To rejoin to the concerns , specific functions were delegated to the Human Resource Management Office and the Faculty Resource Development Office, instead of hemming everything in within the bounds of the Accounting Office, particularly Payroll Section. Modules which involve ranking, assignment, attendance, adding of employees and all other matters dealing with faculty and staff information will be later turned over to the HRMO. ITC, through the Information Systems (IS) Unit conducted an orientation last September 22. After which, the system was installed in the HRMO's computer units.

IS Solutions Developer, Mr. Liel Ongkengco, discussed the process of the automated system, as well as the detailed delineation of tasks. There will be a parallel testing this October 15 to synchronize the procedure among all the assigned offices. Present in the orientation were ITC Director, Engr. Noel Genova, VP for Finance and Administrative Services, Dr. Epifania D. Anfone , HRMO Director, Dr. Rosalinda Garibay,IS Unit Head, OIC, Ms. Venus Rivera, HRMO and some ITC personnel.

After the 2nd launching of mydlsu.d portal last June, ITC has innovatively promoted the portal's new features and packaging. From the center's vast promotional initiatives through the Web Unit, like having set up tarpaulins about the portal features, portal orientation for freshmen during the library orientation from August 1-18, the online portal quiz introduced August 18 and done twice a month, information dissemination through the portal primer, down to the latest portal features and the portal's access to a bountiful info, all these had seemingly contributed to the increased number of portal users.

my_dlsu.d was conceived out of ITC's aspiration to serve the different sectors of the community, starting off with students and faculty. The center sees to it that this resource could be maximized by the end users, the reason why this year it is one of Web unit's key targets ; in fact, the portal usage has been monitored electronically by Ms. Venus Rivera, former Asst. ITC Director and current IS Head, OIC.

Based on the summary of portal users reflected below, tremendous growth could be gleaned especially from the time it was introduced _ from 2002 to 2006, 5,290 for students and at least 356 for faculty. There may have been a decline especially in the 1st semester of SY 2005-2006; however, this semester, the number of users has increased by 480 for students and 91 for faculty in a matter of 4 months. With the center's persistent efforts to promote the portal and the willingness of students and faculty to use it, the succeeding semesters could double or even triple the number of portal users.

TERM	Portal Users (Students)	Portal Users (Faculty)
2nd sem SY 2002-2003	1358	102
1st sem SY 2003-2004	1719	140
2nd sem SY2003-2004	4668	378
1st sem SY 2004-2005	4581	351
2nd sem SY 2004-2005	5834	432
1st sem SY 2005-2006	5160	368
2nd sem SY 2005-2006	6168	367
1st sem SY 2006-2007	6648	458

To fill in the positions and to keep on with the tasks of certain unit heads who are on leave, four of the ITC ASF were recommended to the VPFAS as Officers-in-charge.

1. Ms. Venus Rivera- IS Unit Head, OIC	September 11-December 31, 2006
2. Ms. Angeline Cayago- Web Unit Head, OIC	September 11-November 6, 2006
3. Mr. John Mendez-Database Administrator, OIC	October 2- May 31, 2007
4. Mr. Marvin Legaspi- IS Team Leader	September 11- May 31, 2007

Ms. Rivera has been faithfully serving ITC for almost 7 years now. She started as a programmer, became the Web Unit Head, and was eventually appointed as Asst. Director prior her current post. Ms. Cayago, hired as a part-time ATF in 2002, is now an ASF of ITC who has started out as a Web Editor since November 2005. She is also an affiliated faculty of the Languages and Literature Department and the Language Learning Center . Mr. Mendez has been one of the efficient Solutions Developers of IS Unit for 3 years now, likewise, Mr. Legaspi, who has devotedly worked as such for 4 years.