Onz D Statman

PIU Completes Accreditation Response

2011-05-11T21:10:00.000-07:00

This week PIU received notice from our accreditor TRACS that we have completed our response to the recommendations made by the TRACS team in May of 2009 during their reaffirmation of accreditation visit. According to the letter from TRACS president Paul Boatner, "At the April 11-13, 2011 TRACS accreditation commission meeting, the commission voted to accept the Progress Report of Pacific Islands University. After the staff review of your Spring 2011 response, you are now in compliance on all recommendations noted by the visiting team. No further progress reports are required." We are very pleased to have completed this task in less than two years after our reaffirmation visit. We know that it often takes 5-7 years to move into compliance with all the recommendations. The term of our reaffirmation goes until 2019 and we will have a mid-term visit in 2014. This was an accomplishment of the whole PIU family, but we are especially thankful to Nino Pate (center) who coordinates all the Institutional Effectiveness efforts at PIU.

I'm back to work again! Starting to Activate...1...2...3

2011-01-30T00:55:00.000-08:00

Hello Everybody!

I'm back! Am so happy to be back again in this website. For no apparent reason, I decided not to update the site a year ago...

Today is my birthday and I wanna thank our Almighty Father for all the blessings He has given me. Thank you lord for your love...

Statman

My Wife is Pregnant!

2011-01-18T04:04:00.000-08:00

Wow! Am gonna be a daddy soon? I am so happt announce that my wife is pregnant now. The doctor said that she is 5 weeks pregnant. Thanks to my wife for completing me...

2010 2010 2010

2010-12-31T17:55:00.000-08:00

more update in my facebook account....

Our Wedding Day

2010-10-28T15:38:00.000-07:00

October 28, 2010...a very special day of my life. Our wedding day...to my dear wife ghie. I am so thankful that you've given me the opportunity to share my love with you for the rest of my life. I'm finally "IN" to the world of full excitement and new challenges in life. WHEWWWW!!!

ONz & Ghie

Pate Attends ADB-UNSIAP Statistical Workshop

2009-02-12T18:50:00.000-08:00

The College's Institutional Research Analyst and Assessment (IRAA) Consultant, Niño Pate attended the United Nations Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (UNSIAP) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Training Workshops on MDGs and Use of Administrative Data System for Statistical Purposes in collaboration with Office of Planning and Statistics (OPS), Ministry of Finance, Republic of Palau on January 19-23, 2009. A total of 38 officials from Ministry of Finance and the line ministries including Health, Education, Labor, and other government agencies participated and completed the course. Speakers were Gamini de Silva, Statistician of UNSIAP and Kaushal Joshii, Statistician of ADB.

The training course was designed principally for statisticians involved in the compilation of indicators for monitoring MDGs, particularly those related to education, health and vital statistics. In addition to the subject matter discussions and class exercises, participants also undertook group work on handling data quality issues relating to subject areas of Health, Education and Vital registration sectors.

“Let us seize this opportunity before us to begin the journey to improve both the human and technical factors that will lend support to improving Palau’s data collection, analysis and overall statistics production. A five, working-day may not be enough to improve our country’s statistical paucity or insufficiency, but this is an opportunity for you all to learn new statistical methodologies and refresh your memories so that we can all collaborate in our respective functions and duties to further improve Palau’s statistical capacity.”, Vice President/Minister of Finance Kerai Mariur said during the opening of the workshop.

Consultant Pate is one of the key persons responsible for the Institutional Research directives of Palau Community College as well as the Annual Stanford Achievement Test (SAT 10) Report under Educational System of the Republic of Palau. “The workshop provides network opportunities with other professionals in the field of statistics particularly data management. Healthy discussions followed by presentations of findings were made initiating important dialogue to bridge much needed communication gap between the OPS and the line ministries concerned.”, Consultant Onz Pate said.

Spring 2008 Palau-Wide Stanford Achievement Test (SAT 10) Report

2008-11-19T23:33:00.000-08:00

For the past couple of months, the College's Institutional Research Analyst and Assessment Consultant, Niño Pate has been working on the Spring 2008 Palau-Wide Stanford Achievement Test (SAT 10) Report. The SAT 10 was administered to two private elementary schools and five high schools in of Palau namely Maris Stella, Seventh Day Adventist, Belau Modekngei School, Bethania High School, Emmaus High School, Mindszenty High School and Palau Mission Academy. The 2008 report was disseminated to the respective schools already. Copies will be furnished also to the President’s Office, Vice-President’s Office, Senate, Delegates and Ministers.

This report presents an overview of the 2002 enabling legislation to test all students with the SAT 9 (later updated to SAT 10), background information about the SAT 10 that was first administered in 2004 to public and private schools in Palau, and a summary report of results from the 2008 Spring SAT 10 results from Palau private schools. Tables, charts, and descriptions of the results Palau-wide, by school, by grade level are included. Comparisons of scores from 2004-2008 Palau-wide and private schools are also presented.

In the first SAT 10 administration in April 2004 pursuant to RP 6-25, more than 80% of the enrolled public and private school students were tested (2004 SAT 10 Student Data CD). Palau’s total public and private school spring 2004 enrollment was 4,222 (MOE Statistics). In 2005, the private schools that participated in the testing program consist of approximately 25% of the total public and private school enrollment. The total enrollment for the private schools participating in May 2006 SAT 10 test administration is 1,031. Approximately 89% or 915 of the private school students took the test in 2006 while 92% or 1,007 students in 2007. For the spring 2008, 97% or 990/1016 of the private school students took the SAT 10.

The college would like to extend its appreciation to Dr. Elizabeth Rechebei who prepared the 2004-2006 SAT 10 report. Should you need further information on the 2007-2008 SAT 10 report please contact “ONZ” at the PCC Development Office, extension 251.

Trip to PI and HK

2008-10-30T18:32:00.000-07:00

I'm back to Palau now. Its been a while since my last blog...Well my sched is just so hectic. Anyway just wana share with you that my trip was absolutely amazing...I missed my family so much. You know what??? It was the first time for me to see my father cry...It was a great surprised! For sure my "Papa and Mama" just missed me so much. I had a great 5 special days in Davao. First night is of course with my family...I'm so thankful that I have a great family. I can feel that their always with me wherever I go. :) Cheers!!!

My trip to Hong Kong was also a Dream come true. I dreamed last year that I'm in the airport with these "Chekwa" then here I am...in less than a year, I was able to visit the place of chekwa... had great fun with them.

Well for you to see some of my great pics during my trip, you can open my site at http://onzpate.multiply.com... Hope you love it!

First Trip Back to Philippines

2008-08-28T17:11:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I’m so excited for my flight tonight back to Philippines. At last am going to see my parents, brothers and sister after 1 year and 6 months working here in Palau. J Below are my itineraries for the 10 days break! A bit hectic schedule but for sure I will enjoy my trip that much. My whole family will pick me up in Davao International Airport on Aug 30 at 6:30am. God Bless my trip!

CONTINENTAL AIRLINES

MANILA Itinerary

ROR-MNL FLT893 Aug29 Dep735pm-Arv910pm

MNL-ROR FLT892 Sep10 Dep1145am-Arv325pm

https://www.continental.com

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES (PAL)

DAVAO Itinerary

MNL-DVO FLT809 Aug30 Dep430am-Arv630am

DVO-MNL FLT818 Sep05 Dep425pm-Arv620pm

http://www.philippineairlines.com

CEBU PACIFIC AIRLINES

HONGKONG Itinerary

MNL-HKG FLT5J118 Sep06 Dep440pm-Arv640pm

HKG-MNL FLT5J111 Sep09 Dep1100am-Arv100pm

http://www.cebupacificair.com

Palau Paradise

2008-08-20T17:18:00.000-07:00

Palau is the last word in underwater wonderlands. It also features Micronesia's richest flora and fauna, both on land and beneath the waves, and what's more, they released an Elvis Presley postage stamp a full year before the USA got around to doing so.

Getting There

Continental has daily flights to and from Guam. Far Eastern Air Transport has four-weekly flights to Taiwan and another option, if travelling from the USA, is a Circle Micronesia air-pass. Other connections are through Guam and Philippines. The airport is a 25-minute drive from the capital Koror; travelers leaving Palau must pay a US$20.00 departure tax.

Although there are inter-island boats within Micronesia, it's rare to find any sort of passenger vessel going to Palau from countries outside the region, aside from the occasional private yacht and live-aboard dive boat. Organized tours focusing on diving, snorkeling and - in dwindling numbers - guiding WWII veterans back through the islands in which they fought during the war, are also available.

Getting Around

A few hotels provide airport transportation for their guests. Otherwise, taxis and car rental are available at the airport. Because Koror is the nation's commercial centre, Palauan commonly commute by private speedboat between Koror and their home villages on other Palauan islands. You can sometimes hitch a ride with them by offering to chip in for gas. Ask around at the gas docks. Otherwise, there are occasional flights aboard small Cessnas and weekly trips by government boats from Koror to Peleliu and Angaur. Visitors are allowed to drive in Palau for 30 days with their home country's driver's license. Driving is on the right, and the speed limit is a doddering 40km/h (25mph).

I’ve been here in Palau for 1 year and almost 6 months now. Working hard here to improve the economic status of my family is my main goal. Though I miss my family, relatives and friends so much, but I have to sacrifice a little bit for me to attain my goal. However, I’m pretty much excited to see them all next week. The day I’ve been waiting for, to be with my family for a short period of time. I will take a short break to see my loveones in the Philippines on Aug 29-Sept 10, 2008. See you all!

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/palau

Palau Long Beach Island Tour

2008-07-27T17:34:00.000-07:00

I spent my weekend at the Long Beach Island of Palau together with the Upward Bound Math and Science students. It’s a fantastic place to visit with. The island is like a paradise to me. An ideal place for lovers and friends. I met two half Palauan and African "friends" Cuttie and Mike.

http://www.visit-palau.com/aboutpalau/index.cfm

Basic Statistics Training Held for PCC Staff

2008-03-11T00:38:00.001-07:00

The Institutional Research Analyst and Assessment Consultant Niño T. Pate conducted a 4-hour basic statistics refresher course to PCC staff last Friday. The training covered the basic concepts in statistics such as commonly used statistical terminologies, descriptive statistics, and effective use of graphic/chart presentation. The training was geared at helping staff who collect, interpret, and use data in their professional capacity further hone and update their skills.

According to feedback from the eighteen participants, the training was helpful but participants further requested that a follow-up session which focuses on a more hand-on approach in using an Excel-based program to apply what was discussed in this training.

Participants included administration, registrar, admissions & financial aid and TRIO staff.

http://www.palau.edu/mesekiu/feb15issue.htm

Basic Statistics Refresher Course at PCC

2008-03-11T00:24:00.000-07:00

The Development Office in collaboration with the Continuing Education (CE) office has put together a refresher course in Basic Statistics. The 4-hour course on is scheduled for today, Friday, February 08, 2008 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the CE training room.

The course will be taught by Niño Pate, the Institutional Research Analyst and Assessment Consultant of the Development Office, and it will cover basic concepts in statistics such as statistical terminology, descriptive statistics, and graphic presentations. It is also designed to help college staff who collect, interpret, or use data in their professional capacity. The course contains two sections with four modules. The achievements of learning goals are channeled through readings of four assigned modules.

The topics of the course will be covered according to the following scheme:

Section A: Math Refresher Module
Module 1: Review of Ratio and Proportion/Review of Percent (1hr.)

Section B: Descriptive Statistics Refresher Module
Module 2: Introduction to Basic Statistics and Statistical Terminology (1 hr.)
Module 3: Frequency Distributions and Graphic Representation (1 hr.)
Module 4: Mean, Module, Median, and Standard Deviation (1 hr.)

For more information, please call Human Resource office at 488-2470/2471 ext. 227.

http://www.palau.edu/mesekiu/feb8issue.htm

First PCC Graduating Student Exit Survey Results- Part II

2008-03-11T00:22:00.000-07:00

Last week, we featured the introduction of the survey and its highlights, this week we will feature the results of student's satisfaction by department/major; educational experience; and overall experience.

For the satisfaction with the department/major, about 84% and 89% of the graduating students are "very satisfied"/ "satisfied" with the openness of the faculty and staff to assist students; and proper opportunity for the students to evaluate instruction in their major respectively. The statement with the lowest level of agreement (67%) is "Friendliness and helpfulness of the office staff in your department".

An ambush interview was conducted to validate the question to at least thirty (30) respondents consisting of fifteen (15) office staffs and fifteen (15) regular students. The actual survey showed that 80% of the respondents were dissatisfied with the friendliness and helpfulness of the office staff.

As for educational experience, more than 80% of the students also agreed that instructors made use of computers or advance technology as aid in instruction; adequacy of classroom facilities and computer resources; and participate apprenticeship, community involvement and outreach programs. The statement with the lowest level of agreement (75%) is "Improve my ability to utilize computers and other technical equipments".

Based on the survey, when the graduating students were asked about their overall experience at PCC-whether it helped them develop their career for advancement or not, about 89% of the students say that their experience in PCC is really helpful (combining "very helpful" and "helpful"); 7.9% and 3.2% of the students feel that it "help moderately" and "help a little" respectively. Very high percentages of students (95%) indicate that the overall quality of their department/major is either "very effective" or "effective".

Pate is now preparing the next assessment- Freshmen Student Entrance Survey. Other up-coming assessments include: Student Instructional Response and Satisfaction Survey; Faculty and Staff Perception Survey; and Administrative Survey.

Further information on this survey is available at the Development Office.

http://www.palau.edu/mesekiu/aug10issue.htm

First PCC Graduating Student Exit Survey Results

2008-03-11T00:19:00.000-07:00

For the past couple of months, the College's Institutional Research Analyst and Assessment Consultant, Niño “ONZ” Pate has been working on several surveys for the school. The results of the first completed survey are now compiled in the Graduate Student Exit Survey Report for 2006-2007. This report summarizes data collected in 2007 survey of all graduate students registered at Palau Community College. The survey was performed at the initiation of President Dr. Patrick U. Tellei who constituted the planning and evaluation to improve institutional effectiveness. The major goal of the survey was the collection of information that would be useful in making recommendations to improve the teaching, learning and general environment of the College. The report provides an overview and general analysis of the survey results, along with the recommendations. Quantitative data form the core of the Report, but comments from the graduate students are included as well. The Report should not be considered as the final word, or as a medium for the examination of every possible issue that could be explored with the data at hand. The subjectively-oriented questions tap students' perceptions of their graduate experience, and, as such, are extremely useful. Ultimately, it is perceptions that determine whether the graduate students' experience is positive or not.

To demonstrate that the College creates a change for the students' benefit, Pate developed a number of methods to access students and staffs progress. For the end-users, an institutional effectiveness cycle has been created. It is a systematic step that comes together to contribute to the goal of successfully developing and implementing an effective assessment plan.

In 2006-2007, the College awarded sixty-seven (67) graduate degrees. Ninety-four (94) of the graduate students completed the Graduate Student Exit Survey. With the percentage of students completing the survey, the results reflected the views of the class of 2007. Here are a few highlights of the 2006-2007 survey:

Twenty-four (24) out of twenty-five (25) or 96% were graduates from the School of Arts and Sciences; twenty-four (24) out of twenty-five (25) or 96% from the School of Business; and fifteen (15) out of seventeen (17) or 88% from the School of Technical Education completed the Graduation Student Exit Survey.

Ninety-four (94) of the graduate students satisfied the quality of instruction in their major; ninety-five (95) satisfied with the academic advising they received from the faculty.

Over ninety-five (95) agree that they gained general education; 74% of the students improved their ability to utilize computers.

Some of the students would like PCC to improve the library facilities, classroom and computer resources; 33% of the graduate students said they were uncertain and dissatisfied with the friendliness and helpfulness of the office staff.

Copies of this survey will be available next week at the Development Office.

http://www.palau.edu/mesekiu/aug3issue.htm

Pate's Thesis Once Again Accepted to International Conference

2008-03-11T00:08:00.000-07:00

Having his master's thesis entitled Technical Efficiency of Philippine Rice-Producing Regions: A Stochastic Frontier Approach first recognized and accepted to an international conference in Zimbabwe, Africa was a great achievement itself for Niño Pate, the College's Institutional Research Analyst and Assessment Consultant. However, to also have the same paper accepted to international conferences in Bologna, Italy; Bangalore and New Delhi, India; and now Slovenia, is an overwhelming success. This week, he was notified that his paper will be presented during the Applied Statistics 2007 conference in Slovenia at the end of September of this year. This will be the 5^th international conference to recognize his master's thesis.

The main goal of Applied Statistics 2007 conference is to provide an opportunity for researchers in statistics, data analysts, and other professionals from various statistical and related fields to come together, present their research, and learn from each other. The four-day program consists of invited paper presentations, contributed paper sections from diverse topics, and finishes with a workshop. The conference is organized by Statistics Society of Slovenia and University of Ljubljana in cooperation with Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia and is sponsored by the Slovenian Research Agency.

Congratulations once again, Pate! From all of us at the College.

http://www.palau.edu/mesekiu/jul13issue.htm

Hard Work and Perseverance Pays Off

2008-03-11T00:01:00.000-07:00

What does it mean to be hardworking and persistent? The College's Institutional Research Analyst and Assessment Consultant, Niño Pate is a great example of someone who has been consistently hardworking and persistent. Pate's Masters Thesis "Technical Efficiency of Philippine Rice-Producing Regions: An Econometric Approach" and his advisor and co-author Dr. Augustina Tan-Cruz's thesis were chosen to be presented at the 10thNational Convention on Statistics under the Econometrics/ Statistical Modeling Category in October in Philippines.

"When I first saw my name on the National Statistical Coordination Board website, I was very happy and proud. My dream came true! I graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics and since then, I've always wanted to attend the National Convention. Then in 2004, I was able to join the rest of the nation's statisticians in the 9th convention. The minute I heard one of the presenters, I instantly vowed that I would present my paper at the next convention. I have finally been recognized for my hard work! If it weren't for my postgraduate studies in econometrics, I wouldn't have been able to achieve a statistically significant research paper and get to where I am now", said Pate.

The National Convention on Statistics (NCS), held every three years, is one of the major statistical events conducted by the Philippine Statistical System (PSS) and spearheaded by the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB). The highlights of the two-day Convention include the developments affecting the PSS; and to elicit the cooperation and support of statisticians and professionals in related fields from the government, academe, and private sector towards a more responsive statistical system.

"After six years, my dream finally came true. It's a great fulfillment for me. Therefore, my challenge to all students is to try to aim high and hit the mark. With hard work and perseverance, you can fulfill your dreams. The road may not be perfect, but it's worth experiencing", says Pate.

Congratulations Niño, from your family at PCC!

http://www.palau.edu/mesekiu/jun8issue.htm

Pate, New PCC Endowment Fund Member

2008-03-10T23:55:00.000-07:00

PCC Institutional Research Analyst & Assessment Consultant, Niño Pate is the newest member of the Endowment Fund. PCC welcomes the new supporters of the Endowment Fund and invites others who have not signed up to show their support as well. For more information about the PCC Endowment Fund, please contact Hulda, Dilubch, or Koyungil at Development office at 488- 2470 ext. 253.

http://www.palau.edu/mesekiu/may4issue.htm