Hundreds of educators and students from different countries attended the 3rd Passion for Scholarship and Love for Mission (PSALM) International Conference for Teacher Education and Formation held on May 13, 2023 at the UST Frassati Auditorium.
Carrying the theme “Foresighting and Reimagining the Futures of Teacher Education in the Asian Region,” the conference was organized by the UST College of Education, in cooperation with the Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya and Philippine Association for Teachers and Educators-NCR.
Department of Education Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching Dr. Gina O. Gonong delivered the keynote speech on curriculum enhancement and teacher professionalization.
University of Santo Tomas Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH, delivered the welcome remarks, while UST College of Education Dean Assoc. Prof. Pilar I. Romero, Ph.D, explained the conference rationale.
PSALM aims to draw perspectives on the future of teacher education and formation based on insights from Asian country representatives.
Plenary speakers discussed their country’s experiences on teacher education and formation in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers included: National Taiwan Normal University College of Education Dean Dr. Hsiu-Lan Shelley Tien, Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya College of Education Dean Dr. Luciana, Singapore National Institute of Education – Office of Teacher Education Assistant Dean of Teacher Leadership and Professional Inquiry Dr. Yen Leng Stefanie Chye, Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage Head of Mathematics (English Program) at the Faculty of Education Dr. Thanatporn Grace, Kamphaeng Phet Rajabhat University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Dr. Kamonwat Phuwichit.
Poster research papers on teacher education, education and formation, and teaching across disciplines, prepared by faculty members and students were on exhibit at the auditorium lobby. Meanwhile panel and roundtable discussions on hybrid and online sessions were also held.
Lectures under Panel Discussion A included those from University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Education STEMS2 Masters Concentration and UH Manoa Learning Assistant Program Director Dr. Tara O’Neill, and UST Senior High School academic staff Ms. Lorraine del Rosario.
Under Panel Discussion B were presentations from: University of Asia and the Pacific Center for Student Affairs Vice Director Dr. James Lactao, Everest School Principal Mr. Gino Luyaon, and Miriam College Grade Level Coordinator Ms. Phoebe Emmanuelle De Asis.
In Session A of the roundtable discussions, participants were: UST Institute of Religion academic staff Ms. Maria Lourdes Santiago-Antonio, and Atma Jaya Catholic University Religious Education Department Lecturer Mr. Dadi Komsiah,
In Session B, presenters included UST students Ms. Justine Marie Estrada (Bachelor of Early Childhood Education), Ms. Joyce Ann Marie Mangibin (Bachelor of Elementary Education), and Mr. Peter Angelo Estalilla (Bachelor of Secondary Education). Presenters from other institutions were: Ms. Patricia Dennissee Balico (Bachelor of Secondary Education, Mariano Marcos State University), and Ms. Elisabet Nanda Ayu (English Language Education, Atma Jaya Catholic University, Indonesia).
UST College of Education Asst. Dean Louie B. Dasas, Ph.D., who served as chairperson of the PSALM Conference 2023, synthesized the insights of the speakers and lecturers in his closing speech.
