The BS Medical Technology program of Silliman University Institute of Clinical Laboratory Sciences in Dumaguete City was recently granted authorization from the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office 7 to hold limited face-to-face classes.
“The limited face-to-face classes for Level IV students will possibly start early first semester of SY 2021-2022,” ICLS director Evelyn Fajardo said in a statement furnished the Daily STAR yesterday.
Fajardo said the ICLS will utilize the blended learning approach, where students will take part in face-to-face classes for four days and online classes for the next 10 days.
“This 4-10 bubble will allow the Institute to shift to online class in periods where face-to-face classes will be suspended,” Fajardo added.
She said most of the Level IV students, who will take part in limited face-to-face classes, have already received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and are waiting for their second dose in July.
Based on the DOH Covid-19 Vaccination Prioritization Framework, students in health and allied profession courses with clinical responsibilities are part of Priority Group A as they are considered non-professional frontline workers in health facilities.
The authorization document, signed by CHEd RO 7 director IV, Maximo Aljibe, states that the BS Medical Technology program passed all the compliance requirements in the CHEd-Department of Health Joint Memorandum Circular 2020-001 to reopen for limited face-to-face classes.
The CHEd authorization is valid for two semesters, and took effect on June 4.
Representatives from CHEd, the DOH, and the Inter-Agency Task Force of Dumaguete City conducted the documentary analysis and ocular inspection of SU’s BS Medical Technology, BS Nursing, BS Physical Therapy, and Doctor of Medicine programs on April 5 and April 15.
The Doctor of Medicine program of the SU Medical School received the CHEd approval in April, while the Nursing and Physical Therapy programs received permission in May.*