21/09/2026
RSU, 20 other SUCs, benchmark SLSU Learning Commons, institutional best practices
September 16, 2026 - Romblon State University (RSU) joined state universities and colleges in a benchmarking activity at Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), to study practices in library transformation, digital learning, internationalization, sustainability, disaster risk reduction, and institutional development.
The visit places particular focus on the SLSU Learning Commons and its integration of physical learning spaces, digital resources, technology, and student-centered services.
RSU aims to draw relevant practices from the activity as the University strengthens its Learning Resource Center and advances its Smart Campus initiatives.
RSU delegation joins benchmarking initiative
RSU President Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani led the University delegation, accompanied by Strategic Communications Officer Maria Josefa O. Punongbayan and the Director of the Learning Resource Center Dr. Carlo Joseph Juanzo.
The delegation joined the activity to examine practices that RSU could contextualize in improving its Learning Resource Center, particularly in space planning, digital services, resource accessibility, technology integration, and student engagement.
The benchmarking activity also provides RSU an opportunity to examine how another state university links its library services with broader institutional priorities, including research, internationalization, sustainability, information systems, and innovation.
Rather than directly replicate SLSUโs facilities, the RSU delegation seeks to identify approaches suited to the needs, resources, and multi-campus setting of the University.
SLSU shares practices in library transformation, innovation
SLSU President Dr. Jude A. Duarte welcomed the participating SUCs and encouraged the delegates to learn from the Universityโs experiences and exchange practices that could strengthen their respective institutions.
Commission on Higher Education Commissioner Dr. Michelle A. Ong, Chairperson-Designate of the SLSU Board of Regents, delivered the keynote message and challenged higher education institutions to rethink libraries as spaces for learning, creativity, independence, and aspiration.
Drawing from her experience growing up in a small town and spending much of her student life reading in the library, Ong described how libraries allow students to encounter ideas and experiences beyond their immediate environment.
โThere is freedom in the library. There is independence in the library. There is imagination in the library. There is creativity in the library,โ Ong said.
She praised SLSU for paying attention to the purpose behind its Learning Commons, from its physical spaces and displays to the experiences created for students.
Ong also challenged participating institutions to resist simply copying what they see at SLSU. She urged delegates to understand the reasoning behind each practice before adapting lessons to their respective contexts.
โThe question is never what. The question is why and how,โ Ong said.
She emphasized the role of university presidents, governing boards, librarians, and other institutional leaders in developing libraries that respond to student needs rather than treating library development primarily as a compliance requirement.
Following the keynote message, SLSU Head of Learning Commons and Library Services Ms. Geanrose L. Colonia discussed the transformation of library services through ODILO and the SLSU Learning Commons.
Her presentation included a quick tour of the university library and a briefing of its flagship services.
Mr. Francis Rey F. Padao, Director of University Information Systems and Analytics, presented the process of developing the IDIG proposal for the SLSU Learning Commons, including proposal development, costing, and technical specifications.
The afternoon sessions expanded the benchmarking activity to other areas of university operations.
Dr. Ingrid M. Uy, Director of the Global Engagement and Strategic Partnerships Office, shared SLSUโs practices in internationalization through the comprehensive enumeration of programs under the SOARING internationalization framework.
Mr. Leo A. Omamalin, Director of University Planning and Development, discussed LIMPYO SLSU and the Universityโs learning and implementation models for practical zero-waste operations.
Dr. Jannie Fleur V. Oraรฑo, Director of Research, Innovation, and Publication Services, presented the Universityโs GIS innovations in disaster risk reduction and management.
Participants also toured the RIES Building, GIS Tech Center, Information and Systems Analytics Office, and other areas of the campus to observe SLSUโs facilities and practices.
Inside the SLSU Learning Commons
At the center of the benchmarking activity is the SLSU Learning Commons, which brings together conventional library resources, digital platforms, collaborative environments, and specialized learning spaces.
The facility provides different spaces according to the learning activities of students. Discussion rooms accommodate small groups of 10 to 15 students, while a conference room accommodates up to 30 participants. A mini theater provides space for activities involving up to 200 participants.
The Periodicals Section provides access to journals, magazines, newspapers, and other serial publications, while the Reference Section houses materials for research and academic information needs.
The Filipiniana Section maintains books and resources centered on Philippine history, culture, and national identity.
SLSU also maintains a Graduate Learning Commons for graduate students, faculty members, and researchers, with access to specialized books, electronic resources, journals, theses, and other scholarly materials.
The General Reading Area supports everyday academic work, while the Silent Study Room provides an environment for individual reading and research.
A Collaboration Area supports group activities and academic interaction, while the Open Learning Hub provides another space for independent learning, research, and access to educational resources.
Digital services extend the Learning Commons beyond its physical spaces.
Students and faculty have access to SoleySU Learning through ODILO, the Online Public Access Catalog, GALE eBooks, ProQuest Research Library, Tritech Digital Media, and Philippine E-Journals.
The library also operates an Electronic Document Delivery Service, where users request digital copies of available articles, book chapters, and other materials for electronic delivery.
A self-return book drop supports the return of borrowed materials beyond regular library hours.
These features reflect Ongโs call for universities to see libraries not simply as repositories of books, but as environments designed around how students learn, interact, explore, and develop aspirations.
From benchmarking to RSUโs Smart Campus
For RSU, the benchmarking activity comes as the University continues to strengthen its Learning Resource Center alongside the implementation of its Smart Campus initiatives.
The lessons from SLSU provide reference points for RSU as the University examines how its existing and planned technologies could connect with library services, learning spaces, digital resources, research support, and student services.
The benchmarking also gives the RSU delegation models to study in redesigning spaces around different learning behaviors. These include areas for quiet study, collaborative work, graduate research, digital learning, multimedia activities, and larger academic engagements.
For RSU, the next step will involve determining which practices fit the Universityโs own academic programs, campuses, student population, available resources, and Smart Campus infrastructure.
This direction echoes Ongโs challenge to the participating SUCs. The goal of benchmarking is not replication, but understanding why a practice works and translating its principles into solutions responsive to each universityโs context.
RSUโs visit to SLSU provides both a benchmark and a continuation of efforts as the University works toward a more connected, accessible, technology-supported, and student-centered Learning Resource Center.
