Ian Paolo Villacencio, Maria Nicole Silva
As part of the innovation of its facilities, the revamping of Mindanao State University-General Santos’ (MSU-GSC) gateways has been mechanized in order to provide more organized access for the students, faculty, and visitors, with the goal of being a 'SMART University'.
The university's Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO), the project leader of the said program, stated that the two gateways, the main and the back gate, will feature turnstiles, in which Radio-frequency identifications (RFIDs) to be provided will be scanned, and closed-circuit televisions that will bolster student access and security.
Photo by: Katrina Elises
However, they emphasized that the renovation is currently prioritizing the back gate as many students are situated in that particular area.
"Di natin pwedeng ipagsabay (main gate and backgate) kasi wala tayong dadaanan papasok. Pwede din naman gawan ng alternative way (the backgate). Yung ginawa ng PPD, binutasan dito sa gilid. Kasi 'pag sa main gate natin ginawa yun, wala tayong mabubutasan dun so kaya inuna ang sa backgate," ICTO clarified.
They added that the project is divided into phases, in which the first phase is still ongoing since late June of the current year.
Step forward to SMART campus
The ICTO also emphasized retrofitting among laboratories, including the transformation of their old office, which will turn into a Digital Media Lab that will be opened for the students, faculty, and staff.
Additionally, libraries will also be included in the said renovation, with the installation of turnstiles to record attendance and bookkeeping and kiosk online reservations that will quicken the book borrowing process.
“This time, yung may access lang ng WiFi is nasa mga academic buildings kasi yun yung kasali sa phase one, but in the phase two, all the buildings na ng campus ang may mga WiFi access na for student, including ‘yung open spaces,” ICTO stated on strengthening internet access for the students.
Students’ expectations
When asked for her opinion, Angel Grace Llamelo, a fourth-year History student, said she appreciated the efforts of the university on improving security, as it's been a concern in the past.
“Ga-strive man pud ang university nga maging globally competitive in a sense nga hindi lang sa pagtudlo, pati pud sa technologies na ginagamit ta diri,” Llamelo said.
Meanwhile, Alice Orayle, a first-year BAELS student, is glad that the higher-ups are starting to digitalize IDs in tracking the attendance of the students.
On the other hand, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development (OVCPD) and Physical Plant Division (PPD) Director, Engr. Randy Asturias declared that the modernization project is the biggest project by the university to date.
“By next year, ma-improve na yung ating ICT facilities. Yung internet natin, meron nang bagong connection,” Asturias optimistically said.
He added that this campus wasn't only the recipient of the said project, but also other MSU system campuses.
Comments