CNU unveils ‘smart classroom’

Local

THE Cebu Normal University (CNU) unveiled its first model smart classroom under its ongoing multi-million Smart Campus Project and reiterated that full face-to-face classes remain unfeasible due to ongoing campus renovations.

CNU President Dr. Daniel A. Ariaso Sr. explained that tile works and other retrofitting activities are generating dust that pose health risks to students and staff, making it unsafe to fully reopen classrooms at this time.

“We requested the contractor to prioritize the chipping works or pagbakbak sa mga tiles because these are all very dangerous sa mga students. That requires complete no face-to-face classes because of the dust,” Ariaso said on Tuesday, August 26.

He added that the university is aiming to complete the chipping work immediately so classrooms can be finished and the hybrid set-up can proceed.

Prototype smart classroom

Ariaso led the ribbon-cutting at the ASAB Building, presenting the prototype classroom that showcases modern features such as air-conditioning, high-definition televisions, digital whiteboards, projectors, and multimedia tools.

He emphasized that the launch represents a historic milestone in the 123-year history of CNU, the only state university in Central Visayas to secure a large-scale modernization allocation in 2024.

The Smart Campus Project is divided into two flagship components: the P998-million Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Development Program and the P947-million Centralized Student Smart Hub.

These were approved by the CNU Board of Regents under Resolution Nos. 266 and 267, chaired by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and co-chaired by the CNU president.

Both initiatives are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, and the Central Visayas Regional Development Plan.

As part of the project, 35 classrooms and laboratories will be retrofitted into digital learning spaces, each with a budget of P1.2 million.

These include 14 smart classrooms, six nursing e-labs, eight physics and chemistry e-labs, and specialized e-labs for tourism, sports, governance, teacher education, and computing and AI. An e-library, a campus-wide Learning Management System (LMS), and a digital broadcasting system will also be established.

Notably, P30 million has been allocated for CNU’s first-ever campus radio station, making it the only state university in the region with such a facility.

The ICT component also covers the procurement of 250 mid-range laptops and 280 high-performance laptops for faculty and staff, along with 1,000 tablets for students.

The LMS will serve as the backbone of blended education, offering online examinations, digital lockers, e-resources, forums, chat functions, attendance tracking, and guardian access to monitor student progress.

Hybrid learning

CNU targets completion of classroom retrofitting by October 15 but anticipates possible delays due to weather interruptions. The administration has committed to fast-tracking civil works to meet the deadline.

Blended learning will resume on September 1, with 75 percent onsite and 25 percent online classes.

This shift follows months of fully online instruction as retrofitting works continue across the campus.

Ariaso said the modernization program is intended to future-proof education, strengthen resilience, and raise academic standards through modern tools and systems.

Under scrutinity

Despite these developments, the university’s earlier decision to shift all classes online drew criticism.

Senator Pia Cayetano described the move as a “failure in academic leadership” and a disservice to students, stressing that poor internet connectivity and limited digital access make exclusive online learning inadequate.

She urged CHED to conduct a formal probe and vowed to file a Senate resolution to ensure accountability.

CHED has since acted on the issue.

In a directive issued on August 5, its Central Office ordered the regional office in Central Visayas to investigate whether CNU violated guidelines on onsite learning when Ariaso issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 43 on July 21, mandating a full shift to online classes.

The agency noted that the circular was released without consultation with students and faculty and without approval from the university’s Board of Regents (BOR).(MyTVCebu)