July 18, 2025

BSU faculty and staff members gathered for a workshop focused on integrating Gender and Development (GAD) best practices into curriculum, instruction, and student services. The activity titled “Sharing of Best Practices of Integrating Gender and Development in Curriculum and Instruction Including Student Services,” was organized to enhance understanding and implementation of GAD principles within academic institutions. The activity aimed to promote a more inclusive and gender-responsive educational environment by equipping attendees with practical strategies for GAD integration.

Imelda G. Parcasio, Special Assistant to the Office of the VP for Academic Affairs welcomed the participants. She described the activity as a significant step in equipping the faculty and academic units with the knowledge, strategies, and perspectives necessary to mainstream gender awareness into their respective disciplines- be it in the sciences, humanities, education, technology, or professional programs. She added that academic excellence must go hand with social relevance and responsiveness, and GAD is at the core of that mission.

Afterwards, Jude L. Tayaben, Director of the BSU-GAD Office introduced the resource persons and the rationale behind the activity. The morning session was highlighted with the “Sharing of SLU Best Practices of Integrating GAD in Student Services” by Triceayn Marie D. Prestousa, Office of Student Affairs Director at Saint Louis University, Baguio City and a lecture on GAD integration in instruction by Parcasio who stands as GFPS TWG member and a Resource Pool Member of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).

Director Prestousa highlighted SLU’s best practices in promoting gender sensitivity and inclusivity, including initiatives by the GAD Committee, use of sex-disaggregated data, educational posters across buildings, gender-inclusive restrooms, and an inclusive dress code. On the other hand, Parcasio emphasized on her lecture that the strategies to engender the curriculum may include gender audit of existing content, training of faculty members on gender sensitivity, and the integration of gender analysis in discussions and activities.

In the afternoon session, Tayaben introduced Ferdinand P. Gonzales, also an esteemed member of the PCW Resource Pool. Gonzales shared best practices in mainstreaming GAD lens in instruction. He discussed that going back to the basics of Gender Sensitivity Training- by building a solid foundation in GAD and developing a deeper understanding of its concepts- can help achieve a strong GAD lens. All the sessions were followed by an open forum.

The workshop concluded with the awarding of certificates to the resource persons and closing remarks by Tayaben.//