CEU ENGAGE and QPQU Digital were created and launched to promote connection and digital wellness for the entire CEU community
During the pandemic, digital media has taken on a larger role in both the teaching and learning set up of teachers and students, as well as the world-from-home arrangements of employees.
The prompt decision of Centro Escolar University (CEU) regarding the continuity of education led to the creation of the CEU Engagement through the Net for Growth in the Digital Age (ENGAGE) for its students and the Quality People Quality University (QPQU) Digital for its faculty and non-teaching personnel. Both programs focus on promoting connection and digital wellness for the entire CEU community.
CEU ENGAGE
The CEU ENGAGE program was launched a week after the opening of classes. A series of online activities were prepared for the students to build and maintain a sense of belongingness and spirit of community within them and with other members of the community, all while keeping themselves safe at the comforts of their homes.
The program comprises six teams: Student Engagement, Successful Online Learners, Digital Well-Being, Digital Citizenship, Digital Etiquette, and Digital Safety. These teams have lined up fun, interactive, and enriching online activities for the students. All of this is with the common goal of helping them be productive, responsible, and safely engaged in the digital world.
During the launch, anime characters that represent each of the teams were introduced. They were given official names through a "Name That Anime Content," students participated and recommended names suited for the roles of the teams and their character representations.
- Student Engagement
Meet Cola, taken from "Escolar," who represents Student Engagement. The team has designed and implemented various activities that not only make Escolarians feel connected to CEU but also challenge their creativity and resourcefulness as they hone their skills and talents.
- Successful Online Learners
Meet Leorio, which means "gift of God," who represents Successful Online Learners. The team has arranged activities that foster a positive and proactive attitude towards online learning. Ultimately, this will help students become successful online learners in their chosen program and future profression.
- Digital Well-Being
Meet Dr. Pierre, with the Dr. title affixed to the name to signal scientific knowledge and sincere care, who represents Digital Well-Being. They offer activities meant to promote a healthy lifestyle by maintaining a balance between digital and face-to-face interactions.
- Digital Citizenship
Meet Carmela and Avel, culled from the names of the University founders Dona Carmen de Luna and Dona Librada Avelino, who represent Digital Citizenship. The team assists students in becoming responsible, ethical, honest, and literate in the digital world. There is a lot of information that students can consume from digital media, but it is important to have the right mindset and behavior when appreciating and using them.
- Digital Etiquette
Meet Larina, taken from "Escolarina," who represent Digital Etiquette. The students are taught the proper "netiquette," the set of rules for acceptable manners and behavior while communicating online. The digital world is no different from the real world in that there are also manners to be observed.
- Digital Safety
Escolarian netizens must be aware of the dangers in using the Internet and, more importantly, must learn and equip themselves with effective ways to protect themselves. With Officer Cyrina, again from the word "Escolar" and "Escolarina," who is in-charge of the Digital Safety Team, who provides infographics, videos, and webinars on the basics and trends of safeguarding oneself and privacy online.
QPQU Digital
The QPQU, a program that is already established and fully operational, pursues activities to ignite real motivation for work among the faculty and the personnel of the University. This makes them extra inspired to turn out quality work and outputs, as well as influence others to be motivated and inspired in leading quality personal and work life.
Both faculty and non-teaching personnel are remotely located and have shifted to online work arrangements. Launched in September, the QPQU have strengthened their commitment to the vision and mission of the University, as well as promote the University's values in their online engagement. The program also advocates the concepts of digital citizenship and technology-life balance.
Four teams were formed under this program: Employee Engagement and Productivity, Digital Well-Being, Digital Etiquette, and Digital Safety.
- Employee Engagement and Productivity
The team conducts fun and enriching activities through various digital platforms to educate employees about digital productivity tools that will help them with their day-to-day tasks.
- Digital Well-Being
Helping both faculty and non-teaching personnel maintain their health and wellness in an environment characterized by digital information and communication overload is the beat and call of the Digital Well-Being team.
- Digital Etiquette
The team promotes desirable manners in online interaction and engagement in all forms of communication platforms, such as e-mails, video conferencing, digital, and social networking sites.
- Digital Safety
The team provides guidelines on how to safely and responsibly use the Internet. They also venture on orienting and updating the employees on security risks associated with, or inherent in the use, of different online platforms.
A well-rounded approach
The well-rounded and holistic approach of CEU ENGAGE and QPQU Digital applies the three principles of online engagement: protecting the safety and promoting the well-being of all members of the CEU community, sustaining the quality of the academic experience, and ensuring the active engagement of the members of the CEU community with one another and with other University undertakings.
"To give students a rich college experience, we have put in place programs to continue to foster a community in the University and address their need for social connections despite physical distancing," says Dr. Ma. Cristina D. Padolina, CEU president and chief academic officer in her message to the members of the CEU community. "Let us promote each one's well-being through kind, patient, and thoughtful social interactions."
The activities of CEU ENGAGE and QPQU Digital teams can be accessed through Facebook Workplace.
For more information about CEU call (02) 735 6861 to 71 | www.ceu.edu.ph | Facebook: @theCEUofficial | Twitter: @CEUmanila, @CEU_makati05, @CEUMalolo