July 27, 2026 – In line with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) memorandum orders and the growing demand for technology-driven instruction in higher education, the University of Baguio’s School of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (SIHTM) launched its in-service training program with a focus on enhancing digital competence.
The training-workshop, held at the computer laboratory room, centered on building faculty proficiency in the Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS)—the University’s newly adopted platform for the upcoming academic year. Directly aligned with CHED’s digital transformation agenda, the initiative was designed to strengthen instructional practices and ensure that SIHTM faculty are equipped to deliver innovative, student-centered learning experiences.
Through hands-on sessions, faculty members explored the LMS’s key functionalities, enabling them to design interactive course content, streamline assessments, and foster greater student engagement. The training also emphasized alignment with Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) standards and quality assurance frameworks, ensuring that teaching strategies remain responsive to both institutional goals and global academic benchmarks.
Dean Jenelyn Mangangey-Magpatoc emphasized the relevance and timeliness of the training, essential for the faculty to be able to navigate and maximize the LMS and to assist students to thrive in a technology-driven environment.
The training was facilitated by Ms. Joanna Marie Villavicencio, Program Chair for Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management, and Dr. Fernando Bagay, SIHTM faculty member. Their demonstrations and insights provided the faculty participants with a clear understanding of how the LMS works and how it can be tailored specifically for the hospitality, tourism, culinary, foreign language, and management courses.
With this training, SIHTM faculty are now better positioned to integrate digital tools into their pedagogy, enhancing both teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes. This marks another step forward in the University of Baguio’s commitment to academic excellence and innovation, while advancing SDG 4: Quality Education, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education, and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.
