As the sole runner for the presidential position in the College of Computer Studies (CCS), Computer Studies Government (CSG) Chief of Staff Hannah Tayzon from Santugon sa Tawag ng Panahon (Santugon) laid down her plans for various pressing matters challenging her college’s student body. Her proposals span from initiatives that connect students to the technology industry, to promoting the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the University.
The LaSallian: AI has been increasingly used by students in your college since it has proven to be very reliable in coding and performing complex math calculations. Do you think the use of AI in CCS coursework hinders the development of students in your college?
Tayzon: With any technology, there is an opportunity for it to do good, but alternatively, there’s also an opportunity for it to do bad things. And as with AI, the situation is exactly the same. So when it comes to [the] hindrance of [the] development of students, there are tendencies that you can use AI to directly answer your homework and solve the problems for you. However, this isn’t perfect yet, and I’m definitely against people using it to directly do things. However, I do also believe that AI can be used to improve the learning experience of students.
For instance, when I was reviewing one time, I used AI to convert certain learning materials into flashcards [so that] I don’t have to do the tedious work. With AI, it’s really important that we use it the right way. It’s also important that we have the right policies to give guidance on that so that there is no extreme “no” on using it because it can really be useful so that we can focus on doing things that we humans are better at doing, right? Especially being creative, for example. However, in the instance that a student does use it to answer their homework or solve a problem for them, this will definitely hinder their development and reduce the amount of skills and problem-solving abilities that they are supposed to learn in the curriculum of CCS.
The LaSallian: One of your programs, Final Fanta-CCS, says it will be an all-in-one platform for students’ career goals by providing them with recommended activities, and skill requirements, among others. Could you explain further how this program will work and how it will help with CCS students’ careers?
Tayzon: When we created Final Fanta-CCS, it actually started with me consulting with one of the ONECCS presidents [because] I definitely wanted to assist fellow CCS students with academics, but I didn’t want to do that in such a way that it would conflict with what is being done already in Peer Tutor Society (PTS). And so I was talking to Adriel [Fancubit], who’s the president, and I was like, “What’s something you wish that CSG could assist in, that you feel like is out of PTS’s scope?” And he mentioned how there are students who still aren’t aware of exactly how diverse the career paths are in technology.
With Final Fanta-CCS, I wanted [it] to be a web application first and foremost, and then we will eventually transition to a mobile application. And this will have an interface that is very gamified, [where] it feels like you are in a [role-playing game] on your own. Once you choose, you’ll see [a] multitude of career paths you could have in tech. And once you choose one, we’ll provide a roadmap [of the] steps you’re gonna take, relevant courses in this career path that you will end up taking, programming languages that you will learn, core competencies that you need to [have in] this position to get this role…We hope that this will give them more guidance and direction in CCS, as it’s hard to feel motivated to do something when you don’t know where you’re heading. If it feels all aimless, mawawalan ka ng gana kumilos.
The LaSallian: CCS has a lot of student organizations, more so than other colleges. Many of these organizations have extracurricular programs that overlap with some of your initiatives, like BreakInTech and LinkedCCS. How will these programs distinguish themselves from or co-exist with similar programs by student organizations?
Tayzon: It’s frustrating for the [organization] presidents [to have] conflict [on our] projects… I was already consulting with them when we were talking about our projects. I consult first to ensure that I’m not getting in anyone’s way. And besides that, collaborate. I’m a major advocate [for] collaboration, so if there are projects that will align with other ONECCS organizations, we will be open to collaborating with them. In fact, I would push for it. [While] for BreakInTech, I don’t see it conflicting, in fact, I want to use it to better amplify the reach of our ONECCS organizations. [Because] plenty of students are unaware of the activities and resources that these organizations already have…It’s just that getting these projects to the audience that they’re supposed to reach can be the challenge. For projects like BreakInTech, I hope that this could help alleviate that problem.
The LaSallian: What are your thoughts on the current initiatives of the University in lobbying policies regarding AI and its concern on Intellectual Property?
Tayzon: Personally, I believe that DLSU, in itself, is very progressive and open to the use of AI. However, I have also received feedback from other students who say that it’s much more strict in their experience. As someone who is in CCS as well, I really admire our University’s stance on AI, which we are advocating for its use, but the right way. I [know that] our Legislative Assembly (LA) candidates or Batch Legislators want to lobby for having a more explicit policy regarding this so that we are open to using it, but also it is something that isn’t abused.
The LaSallian: Which traits or qualities do you possess that you believe will greatly benefit you in your stint as College Assembly President?
Tayzon: When I say these skills… it’s something I want to improve, but it’s something I believe I developed already. One of the skills I have is definitely being super organized and very systematic. So, when I approach projects, when I approach tasks, gusto ko talaga [it’s] the same way I would approach a programming project. You outline the task, [then] you break down the smaller steps. Very systematic yung approach ko so that when I collaborate with other people, it’s explicit who’s doing what, [and] naka set narin yung timeline dun. I believe that this is important kasi when you’re implementing the projects na, you need to be very coordinated because if you’re not and you don’t plan well, and you’re not very systematic about it, chaos will eventually lead to setbacks and these could lead to the project not being implemented at all or [it could have] severe further delays. Another skill I have is I like to think people skills ko from like interpersonal and collaboration as well as communication. These are skills I’ve honed and improved with my past [organization] experiences. And this is important because this job is not a one-woman job or not a one-man job. All the projects we have are very big, and I am aware that I cannot pull this off without a team… if elected and when I’m actually working on these projects, I will do right by, and I will work well with the people that’s gonna be helping me implement these projects.
As for traits naman… I’d like to think I’ve developed empathy and the ability to really listen to people… When you’re working with people to implement the projects, kasi everyone will have their experiences, people will have their thoughts, which enriches the development of the idea of the project, and it’s important that we listen to these because you really can’t get the handle on everything, and you don’t know everything, right? And chances are, some people can have ideas that are better than yours. And then besides that, having empathetic and listening skills is also important, most importantly for a college president, because I want to be the kind of leader that people can approach when they have problems, and I want these problems that they say to shape the projects and the policies that we create… I really want to be the leader who isn’t at the front, who isn’t at the back, but [rather] is with them, so to speak.
The LaSallian: Which of the following problems and issues in your college that you would like to prioritize? If so, why?
Tayzon: I definitely wanted to ensure that my perspectives on the college, on the state of my peers, aren’t something na ako lang nag-isip. So I wanted validation. So when I was asking them and consulting with them “what do you think are the problems of our college?” or “what problems are you currently facing right now?,” kadalasan diyan, people are saying, “Oh, I wish I met more people,” [or] “I wish I had more opportunities to make more friends.” Others explain that they are facing burnout, getting tired and stressed. And personally, first-hand experience ko rin yun… Then, the most popular one, I guess, is always people [saying] they want more internship opportunities. They want to be more prepared when they’re going to work already. Unfortunately, there are people who say that they still feel lost when it comes to navigating this. And so, that’s one of the primary problems I definitely want to help solve or at least alleviate. And then, yung academics as well as developing connections and having a time out from academics.
That’s why we have projects like “LinkedCCS” [which] [is] more recreational, but then also an opportunity to bond with fellow students because I believe na in college, it’s important to have a community and a support system with you kasi it’s really hard to navigate and it’s very tiring. And then besides that, with projects like “BreakInTech”, in fact, even the networking segment of “LinkedCCS” and “Final Fant-CCS,” we hope that this would give us all more direction, opportunities, and even guidance so that we can better navigate the career side of tech. As for academics naman, I definitely look forward to having [a] more consultative approach with the students as well as yun with “Final Fant-CCS” nga, we hope to give a better vision. We hope to give people a better opportunity to see what lies ahead of them.
Going back to the policies naman, and being consultative, I definitely want to investigate all the possible ways we could improve the academic experience of students. This could be from having surveys, focus group discussions, and then with that, I could coordinate with the admin as well as with our [LA] to ensure that whatever policies we create, the decisions being made by the admin are made with the input and the insights of the students in mind.
The LaSallian: In what ways will you ensure that the college continues to be socially conscious of the 2025 Midterm Elections?
Tayzon: First and foremost, if elected, I am aware that it comes with both the privilege and the responsibility of having the attention of my constituents. So, what I say, what I set as an example, is something that people will pay attention to. I believe that’s how it is for any leader. And so with that, the first thing I will do definitely is spread more awareness about it and more information about it based on news, news articles, and factual-based resources so that once they see when I’m being outspoken about this, they are already immediately provided with information and resources, and that they could see the value as well of the elections.
And then besides that, one of our batch legislators’ agendas is to have the USG endorse candidates for the 2025 Midterm Elections. And with that, since we will shed light more information on this, we hope that the students will also be more informed and when presented with this information, they will also see the value of the elections and being informed about it, especially since we are adults already and we can vote.
The LaSallian: Can you explain what your campaign’s slogan, “Realized Lasallian Purpose”, means? Particularly for the position you’re running for.
Tayzon: So, “Realized Lasallian Purpose” means, first and foremost, finding your place in the University and being in a place where you know you belong so that you can thrive. So for CCS, honestly, this vision is so aligned, in fact, with the projects that we have for CSG. So, for instance, Final Fant-CCS, realizing your place, your purpose, and for others, this could be a career. In fact, one of the thrusts I have is goal-driven opportunities. Noong una, ang gusto naming career, but we wanted to have a more holistic approach because not everyone wants to get into the industry.
And so, we’re not gonna push towards the students of CCS na, “Okay, you go into the industry. Okay, you go into academics. Okay, ikaw, you get into startups.” No, we want to have projects and yun nga, with our initiatives, we want to give students an idea of what these paths are and let them choose and let them realize, “Okay, this is my purpose, this is where I want to go.” And that’s the realized Lasallian purpose—finding their place and in CCS, finding that direction really, “Okay, I want to become a software engineer, maybe,” “I want to get into AI”, and so on.
This interview was edited for length and clarity.
