Baguio City, Philippines – May 26, 2025 — The University of the Cordilleras College of Nursing (UC CON), under the leadership of Dean Judith Odannee G. Magwilang, actively participated in the Faculty Development Program – Nurse Educators Workshop spearheaded by the Cordillera Association of Nursing Deans, Inc. (CAND, Inc.), in collaboration with the Association of Deans of Philippine Colleges of Nursing, Inc. (ADPCN). Held at the Main Function Hall of Baguio Central University, the event was anchored on the theme “Revolutionizing Nursing Education: Developing Ethical Guidelines for AI Use in Healthcare.”
The workshop gathered nursing deans and educators across the Cordillera Region, aiming to address the growing integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare and nursing education.
The program commenced with Dean Buna B. Racal (PCC-CON) and Dean Gina L. Casi (BCU-CNSM) facilitating the registration, followed by an invocation, national anthem, and the Cordillera Hymn rendered by the BCU Chamber Chorale. Dean Helen D. Alalag (UB-SON) formally presented the attending delegates, setting the tone for a day of insightful engagement.
In her welcome message, Dr. Perfecto Lopez, Vice President for Administration of BCU, emphasized the importance of ethical stewardship in the age of digital transformation. Following this, Dean Judith Odannee G. Magwilang, President of CAND, Inc., and Dean of UC CON, delivered an inspiring message reaffirming the consortium’s commitment to innovation and ethical leadership in nursing education.
The highlight of the morning session was a compelling keynote address by Dr. Florence C. Cawaon, DNS, EdD, RN, former member of the Professional Regulatory Board of Nursing. Her speech emphasized the critical need for ethical frameworks in integrating AI tools in both clinical and academic nursing settings.
The plenary sessions featured renowned nursing leaders. The first plenary speaker, Dr. John Michael O. Lorena, DNM, RN, Dean of the College of Nursing at Trinity University of Asia, tackled current innovations and the ethical challenges of AI in healthcare education. An interactive session led by Christopher Gaerlan, OIC-Dean of SCI-CON, engaged participants in dialogue and scenario-based discussions.
The afternoon plenary was introduced by Dean Mark U. Gay-as (BSU-CON), Chair of Faculty Development of CAND, Inc., and featured Dr. Jude L. Tayaben, PhD, RN, Director of Benguet State University’s Gender and Development Office. Dr. Tayaben’s talk explored gender-sensitive approaches to ethical AI adoption in nursing education, followed by another interactive session facilitated by Benguet State University.
In her closing remarks, Dean Buna B. Racal (PCC-CON) underscored the collective responsibility of nurse educators in leading transformative change that upholds human dignity in the digital era.
The program concluded with the awarding of certificates to all participants and speakers, alongside a photo opportunity that captured the camaraderie and commitment of nursing faculty members to uphold the ethical dimensions of innovation.
This participation further cements UC CON’s role as a leading institution in championing forward-thinking and responsible nursing education in the Philippines.
