A total of 28 Benguet State University (BSU) graduates have passed the Librarians Computer-Based Licensure Examinations conducted on September 11-12, 2024 in Rosales, Pangasinan and Manila by the Philippine Regulation Commission.

All successful examinees are first-time takers listing a BSU passing rate of 75.68%. The University surpassed the national passing rate of 48.77%.

College of Information Sciences (CIS) Dean Russell B. Dolendo expressed her delight in the university’s continued success in the said licensure exam.

“I am happy that BSU surpassed the national passing rate of the licensure examination and ever since we have consistently surpassed the national passing rate,” she said. She commended the BSU graduates for their resiliency and perseverance in overcoming challenges during their studies and preparation for the examination. She added that despite challenges like the impact of pandemic restrictions on both online and face-to-face classes, remote testing centers, and the unexpected switch to a computer-based licensure exam, the BSU graduates performed outstandingly on the board exam.

Dolendo and Chairperson of the Department of Library and Information Science Elizabeth A. Lascano shared the department’s best practices that contributed to the high passing rate. These practices included curriculum enhancement to incorporate computer-based skills, conducting review sessions, and inviting experts in library science as resource speakers. It included also their support and motivation for their students from admission to graduation and throughout their preparation for the licensure exam.

To further improve the future University’s performance in the librarian licensure exam, they shared the college plans to conduct pre-examination seminars to enhance their preparation for the board exam. Additionally, they also encourage those who did not pass to participate in review sessions to improve their chances in future attempts.

Lascano also shared that they motivate their students by emphasizing the importance of taking the licensure exam promptly after graduation, while the knowledge gained is still fresh. She further said that they urge the students to take the board exam highlighting the greater chances of employability for librarians due to the limited number of professionals in the field.

“We thank the administration for continually recognizing and supporting the Bachelor of Library and Information Science program. We were able to maintain the program and in terms of licensure examination, we appreciate the support of the administration especially to the board exam passers,” expressed Dolendo.//EBawayan