Desiree Mae Sabado & Michael Adrian Buenaobra
BCU’s College of Business Administration welcomed freshmen to fourth year CBA students when it hosted its Student Orientation on August 29, 2025, at the Margarita J. Fernandez Hall, organized to guide students in becoming well-informed, engaged, and responsible members of BCU-CBA as they begin the new academic year.
After the preliminaries, Dr. Elma D. Donaal, Vice President for Academic Affairs, delivered her welcome remarks where she extended her greetings and officially opened the program. This was followed by Dr. Cherrie Mae M. Manuel, the Dean of CBA, who introduced the faculty members of the college, allowing the students to become familiar with their mentors for the academic year. Before the proper orientation began and to energize the students, the masters of ceremony, Ms. Jane Cabugos & Ms. Marielle Kryzyl Datuin, taught the students the eagle chant which was followed by a dance exercise led by the faculty members.
The orientation began with the presentation of the college’s vision, mission, goals, and objectives delivered by Ms. Marga L. Taganas, who also asked students to participate in reciting the VMGOs. She also presented the various academic programs offered by the college and their industry linkages. Through these, the students were provided with a clearer understanding of the values and direction of the institution, as well as the opportunities available to them as members of the BCU-CBA community.
The following presentation showcased the accomplishments of the CBA for AY 2023−2024 and AY 2024−2025, as Ms. Khea Joy H. Botes highlighted milestones that could inspire students to aim higher and outlined some of the upcoming activities and plans for the department for the current academic year. To further assist students in adapting to academic life, Dr. Jolly B. Mariacos presented the facilities and laboratories of the CBA department, giving them insights on the development of the college throughout the years. Meanwhile, Mr. Junik Cris Calahi provided a detailed discussion on the CBA uniform policies and student discipline, explaining the dos and don’ts that every CBA student must follow to maintain professionalism and uphold the values of the college.
The program continued with the student research orientation delivered by Dr. Michael T. Sebullen, the University Research Director, who introduced students to research aiming to empower them to embrace inquiry, innovation, and integrity in research and not to view it as just an academic requirement. He also discussed Turnitin, a research plagiarism checker, and explained its vital role in ensuring academic integrity. He then addressed the students’ questions, clarifying their concerns about research practices and requirements.
An open forum was also conducted to answer and clarify the concerns of students before a group photo opportunity took place, followed by evaluation of the activity, ensuring feedback for continuous improvement. These final moments highlighted the department’s dedication not only to excellence but also to creating an engaging and supportive academic environment. As Dr. Manuel concluded with her closing remarks, she encouraged students to seize every opportunity, reminding them that being part of CBA is about building character, gaining confidence, and fostering a strong sense of community.