ADI to host ‘first-ever’ virtual learning innovations confab

No less than Ilongga Utah Valley University (UVU) President Dr. Astrid Tuminez will be one of the six keynote speakers in the first-ever online Society for Technology in Education-Philippines (STEP) 2021 Conference set July 8-10, 2021.

Hosted by Ateneo de Iloilo-Santa Maria Catholic School, the annual national educators’ event is the first of its kind in STEP to use a virtual platform with the most accomplished speakers and presenters.

“I am excited to touch base with my roots and give back whatever I can offer,” Iloilo farming village-native Dr. Tuminez said, adding, “I would like to focus on the themes of the conference: Begin, Innovate, Transform, and share my insights with my fellow Filipino educators.”

With the demand of remote learning innovations amid the pandemic, she said, “I wish to stress to all participants to be intentional for resources are limited, to develop an attitude of curiosity and openness; to learn from failures, keep improving, reflect always for the good of others, and transform communities with a kind of leadership that is centered on empowering others.”

Before Dr. Tuminez became the first female president of UVU, she was a scholar in a private school run by Catholic nuns in Iloilo City which she credits much of her success and accomplishments. She then went to UP-Diliman, earned her degree in international relations at Bringham Young University, master’s degree in Harvard University, and Ph.D. degree in Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She then worked with Carnegie Corporation, AIG Global Investments, Microsoft, and National University of Singapore, among others.

The other five distinguished keynote speakers are: Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design Founding Dean Fr. Johnny Go SJ, Xavier University (XU) Institutional Societal Engagement Director Engr. Dexter Lo, Xavier School-San Juan Principal Ms. Jane Cacacho, ADMU Vice President for Basic Education Fr. Jonjee Sumpaico SJ, and DepEd Senior Education Program Specialist Ms. Mary Anthony Sieras. They will be joined by 6 plenary moderators and 18 reactors, all educational leaders from the different schools and learning support institutions in the country. Also to share their insights in the conference are the 82 breakout session presenters and their 20 breakout session moderators from 60 lecture, idea, and workshop sessions.

STEP 2021 Conference is also granted 15 CPD points by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). As of press time, it has 1,454 registered participants already from 210 schools all over the country. Interested parties can still register at www.step.ph. The registration fee is PhP750.00 per person. An exclusive swap card is to be given to each registered participant where one can get access to all the recorded talks and network with participants for the whole year.

To note, STEP 2021 is also made possible in partnership with Techfactors, Inc. and ADI-SMCS’ sister schools ADMU, XU, Ateneo de Davao University, and Ateneo de Cebu-Sacred Heart School. (Herman Lagon)