Written by Lorienne Joy Mana-a (HR Associate, HRMC)
In its ongoing commitment to nurturing academic leaders across its community, the University of Baguio launched the Professional Reinforcement for Innovation and Mentorship in Education (PRIME) Series, a structured development program that offers practical insights and strategies to support institutional growth and educational quality. Following the success of PRIME Series 1A and 1B, the University of Baguio successfully conducted PRIME Series 2 on July 3, 2025, at the Smart AVR, with the theme “Leading with Insight: Conflict Resolution and Data-Driven Decision Making for School Leaders.”
The session was made possible through collaboration with the Academic Council and the Human Resource Management Center (HRMC). This session brought together teachers and leaders from the Basic Education Department, including principals, assistant principals, subject heads, and grade level coordinators, to build capacity in managing school-level challenges through reflective leadership, strategic planning, and data-informed decisions.
The first session, titled “Handling Conflict or Conflict Resolution,” was facilitated by Atty. John Ray M. Libiran, Dean of the School of Law. The discussion highlighted effective approaches to conflict management in educational settings. Topics covered included relevant laws, communication strategies, conflict resolution styles, and techniques for de-escalation and negotiation.
Emphasis was placed on active listening, empathy, and trust-building—skills essential for creating a healthy and productive learning environment. Participants were encouraged to apply these approaches in managing challenges within their respective school communities.
The second session, “Data Analysis for Policy Making and Decision Making,” was delivered by Dr. Donnavila Marie B. Panday, Director of Research Innovation Extension and Community Outreach (RIECO). The session underscored the importance of using reliable data in shaping sound decisions and effective school policies as well as educational improvements.
Participants explored different types of data analysis and were introduced to tools for data interpretation and visualization. The speaker also shared methods for identifying policy gaps and evaluating school effectiveness using surveys, documents, and interviews. Real-life examples demonstrated how data could serve as a foundation for sustainable and evidence-based
The PRIME Series serves as a strategic initiative of the university to strengthen institutional leadership and promote a culture of continuous improvement. By equipping basic education leaders with practical skills in conflict management and data-driven planning, the program contributes to the university’s goal of fostering responsive and forward-thinking academic leadership.
The University of Baguio looks forward to conducting more sessions under the PRIME initiative in support of its mission to deliver quality education through innovation, mentorship, and professional excellence.
