NDMU Graduate School Strengthens Students' Academic Readiness through Intensive Introductory Academic Program

Notre Dame of Marbel University Graduate School formally welcomed its new and returning students through a two-day event combining the General Assembly and the Introductory Academic Program (IAP), held last July 20 and August 10, 2025, at the Bro. Renato Cruz Convention Hall. The morning of Day 1 featured the General Assembly, which opened with preliminaries and key messages from administrators, followed by an orientation on academic and non-academic policies, quality assurance, scholarships, and available facilities. Students were also briefed on the University’s core advocacies, including environmental sustainability, gender and human development, and essential campus services.

The afternoon session of Day 1 was dedicated to the IAP, highlighting the Graduate School’s commitment to equipping students with competencies required for advanced academic work. Lecture 1 on academic writing was delivered by Dr. Ma. Magdalena Cobrador, Graduate School professor and Dean of the College of Education, followed by Lecture 2 on preparing and formatting reports by Dr. Susan

Joji V. Rolluqui, Graduate School professor. These sessions were designed to develop the technical skills essential for scholarly output, aligning students with the rigorous demands of graduate-level education in both subject expertise and the precision of academic documentation.

Day 2 continued the IAP with a full-day program designed to deepen academic readiness, facilitated by Dr. Karla Jane Cabiling Dalipe, Program Coordinator for MAED/PhD. The morning began with a recap and Lecture 3 on academic integrity and plagiarism by Dr. Wilter C. Friales, Director of OSAD and QUAPS, Graduate School professor, followed by Lecture 4 on the ethical and effective use of technology and AI in academe by Mr. Vince Sabado, Program Coordinator for MIT. In the afternoon, Lecture 5 on research fundamentals was conducted by Mrs. Sheila B. Roma, Director of the Research and Publication Center and Program Coordinator for MPA, followed by Lecture 6 on research ethics and privacy by Dr. Aldrin Quintero, Director of the Ethics Review Board and University Data Privacy Officer.

The comprehensive IAP, delivered by NDMU’s expert faculty and administrators, provided graduate students with the academic tools, ethical grounding, and research skills necessary for success. Through these sessions, the Graduate School reinforced its mission to develop competent, principled, and research-driven leaders who contribute meaningfully to their respective fields and to society.