Saint Louis University (SLU), through the Human Resource Department (HRD), Information Systems and Technology Services Department (ISTSD) and Data Protection Office (DPO), conducted an educational workshop about Data Privacy and Office Productivity titled, “Digital Stewardship: Protecting Data, Empowering Productivity” on 29 October 2026, at the Fr. Francis Gevers Hall, Diego Silang Building, SLU Main Campus.
This initiative was designed to strengthen the digital skills of administrative and clerical non-teaching employees, focusing on the use of Gemini as a Google Workspace tool to improve task management, collaboration and workplace productivity.
The program commenced with the opening remarks of Human Resource Department Director, Jeremy Lee L. Dela Cruz, emphasizing that people live and work in a world where nearly everything is digital, stating that convenience comes with a greater responsibility, hence, digital stewardship. He added, “protecting data and boosting productivity are not opposing forces,” stating how sufficient knowledge and practice of good habits can boost one’s overall performance and safety.
In the learning session, Chief Information Technology Officer Cecilia Mercado, PhD, discussed four ways by which authorities can ensure ethical and responsible use of AI: through academic integrity, data privacy, critical verification, and accountability. She highlighted the importance of knowing how to properly and responsibly use AI according to the university guidelines.
The workshop then focused on hands-on activities in using Google Gemini that included prompt generation, Smart Email, Smart Inbox Management, Email Encryption, Safe Sharing of Attachments and Links, and Google Drive functions. These exercises introduced particular ways to organize tasks, manage communications, and improve productivity in daily administrative work.
The event concluded with a reminder that while AI may be used in administrative tasks and in developing learning materials, this should be done in accordance with the SLU Brand Guidelines issued by the University Information Office (UIO) that ensure the University’s visual identity and institutional authenticity. This aligns with one of the university’s key directions on stewardship of reputation, particularly brand Integrity and public trust. In light of AI discernment, Louisian employees and students must know when, how, and whether to use AI, and critically assess its output.
The Data Privacy and Office Productivity workshop demonstrated the synergy and collaboration of HRD, ISTSD and DPO in steering the Louisian community towards building perspective, knowledge, and skills in digital workspaces, while fostering SLU’s commitment to navigating such spaces thoroughly, critically, and ethically.
The initiative supported United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 4 (Quality Education) by cultivating knowledge for the university personnel’s digital literacy; and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which emphasizes SLU’s commitment to strengthen ethical stewardship. It further promoted responsible digital navigation and efficient organizational productivity, deeply rooted CICM advocacies of justice, peace, and integrity of creation. (Article by Angela Faye Dimapilis, UIO intern | Photos by Hanz Viloria, UIO Intern)
