The College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT) conducted a Gender and Development (GAD) Talk on November 29, 2024, at the Research and Development Hall 2, Bulanao Campus. This initiative, themed B4:PR2—Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges towards Partnership, Resilience, and Recovery, brought together CEIT faculty members to promote gender awareness and inclusivity within the university.

Gracing the event were Dr. Abigail Q. Ocay, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and Dr. Rhonda Vail Leyaley, Director of the Quality Assurance Office, who served as reource speakers. In her opening remarks, Mrs. Angeline Valdez, CEIT Faculty Member and GAD Chairperson, emphasized the importance of the program in fostering inclusivity. She also introduced the speakers and outlined the program rationale.

To accommodate the entire faculty without disrupting class schedules, the GAD Talk was divided into two sessions. The morning session (10:00 AM – 12:00 NN), designated as GAD Talk 3, catered to non-technical faculty, while the afternoon session (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM), GAD Talk 4, was held for technical faculty. Both sessions provided opportunities for engaging discussions on breaking barriers and building bridges to enhance resilience and partnership.

In addition to their GAD activities, the college also organized a poster-making and poetry-writing contest for students on November 28, 2024. These activities provided a platform for students to express their creativity while raising awareness about GAD-related issues.

This initiative reflects CEIT’s commitment to fostering a culture of gender awareness within the college and extending it to the university. By integrating such programs, CEIT continues to empower both faculty and students to contribute to an inclusive and resilient academic environment.