CSU launches LIKHA Excellence Awards, inaugural awardees recognized

To recognize the exemplary employees and offices that advanced the pursuit of excellence and innovation in the university, the Caraga State University (CSU) launched the LIKHA Excellence Awards during the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) or PASIDUNGOG on October 4, 2024.

The award system anchors on the LIKHA Agenda set by University President Rolyn C. Daguil, PhD, which outlines CSU’s strategic path toward a transformative university that drives sustainable development within and beyond the region.

The following offices and personnel obtained special awards for their contributions relative to the five indications of the LIKHA agenda:

L - Department of Physics

I - College of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

K - Navigatú

H - College of Humanities and Social Sciences

A -Management Information System

LIKHA Champion (Overall) - Associate Professor Melbert R. Bonotan

LIKHA Excellence Awardees

The Launchpad of Global Talents and Innovators Award was given to the Department of Physics cited for creating significant opportunities for students and faculty to excel on the global stage, notably through its research collaboration with the University of Stavanger (US) in Norway from December 2023 to January 2024. With the initiative, the faculty members linked with the faculty, PhD students, and postdoctoral fellows of the US, introducing fresh perspectives, best practices, and international research opportunities, thereby strengthening the university’s global connections. 

By forging strategic partnerships that promote collaboration and drive significant outcomes for the university, the College of Mathematics and Natural Sciences secured the Interdependence and High-Impact Coalition Award. The same alliance between CSU and the University of Stavanger in Norway, a highly ranked institution in the QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education Rankings for 2024, was instrumental in this feat, which opened doors for CSU faculty and students to access international research opportunities, academic exchanges, and enhanced learning experiences.

In terms of nurturing innovation and creativity, Navigatú, CSU’s Office of Technology Business Incubator, catalyzed opportunities for technopreneurship, which earned it the Knowledge Co-Creation and Entrepreneurship Award. 

In 2023, the office recorded training 1,500 students, 250 professionals, and micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners through sessions on entrepreneurial mindset and skills, as well as startup development. Among its achievements is incubating 37 startups, with two (2) registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Of the two, one (1) secured 3.2 M funding from the DOST Technology Application and Promotion Institute (TAPI). The same incubatees also earned numerous accolades both in regional and national settings.

Moreover, Navigatú is a significant player in the local and global startup ecosystem, with a network of 11 local partners and three (3) international collaborators. With its global partnership with Wadhwani Foundation, it trained 57 faculty members from the Main and Cabadbaran campuses on entrepreneurship courses.

Recognized for its exemplary contributions to teaching, research, and service, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS) earned this year's Hub of Academic Excellence Award. CHASS was honored for its board examination performance with a consistent 100% passing rate for the Social Work Program from 2021 to 2023 and the Psychology Program with a 92.42% passing rate by its pioneering batch in 2023. In 2023, the college also became the first institution in the Philippines to pass the Professional Regulatory Board’s Inspection and Monitoring, which exceeded national standards of academic quality and professional preparedness.

Among the university's strategic directions is strengthening its digitization initiatives. An exemplary office recognized for aiding administrative efficiency and advancing digital transformation is the Management Information System (MIS) Office, awarded the Administrative Processes and Digital Transformation Award. 

In 2023, MIS developed 42 modules across CSU web systems, including the PRIME-HRM Unified System Hub, Employee's Online Service System, and the Financial Automation and Resource Management System (FARMS). It also mainstreamed information systems that improved reporting mechanisms at the Cabadbaran Campus. With the said strategies, MIS pushed to improve the university’s operations.

LIKHA Champion

Completing the LIKHA Excellence awardees is the LIKHA champion awarded to the individual(s) or units that demonstrate exemplary performance across all areas of the agenda. Associate Professor Melbert R. Bonotan of the College of Computing and Information Sciences (CCIS) is this year's champion. 

Professor Bonotan initiated and championed various capacity-building programs in entrepreneurship and guided the incubation of 47 startups. Aside from his contributions at Navigatú, he forged partnerships with local and international stakeholders and established the Caraga-RISE consortium, revitalizing the region’s startup ecosystem. 

As a seasoned coach, Mr. Bonotan mentored the students behind the startup Scrapcycle, which secured 3.2 M funding from DOST. He also led teams to victory in DICT’s Philippine Startup Challenge, obtaining regional championship from 2021 to 2023 and a national championship in the Development Academy of the Philippines' START Hackathon with 150,000 pesos in cash and seed funding.

Under his leadership, TARA was established. This is the second Technology Business Incubator of CSU, which focuses on agriculture and aquaculture startups and currently supports 14 incubatees. With TARA, he secured eight key local and international partnerships that further solidified the office’s role in driving innovation and growth in the region. His remarkable contributions align with CSU’s mission and strategic goals, earning him the prestigious LIKHA Champion award. 

Each LIKHA Excellence Awardee received Php 50,000, while the champion got Php 100,000. The grants are considered tangible resources allocated for official purposes that promote the development of their respective offices or units, be it research, academic programs, innovations, or capacity-building activities.

LIKHA translates “to create” in FILIPINO. As has been the anchor of the university’s strategic direction, the same is true for the LIKHA Excellence Award, which recognizes the exemplary employees, office, or unit that has created meaningful contributions, ultimately supporting the overarching processes of the university as it attains its goals.