The Hon. LSPU President, Dr. Nestor M. de Vera with Vice-President for Administration, Mr. Efren dela Paz, the Campus Directors of Siniloan and San Pablo City Campuses, Dr. Mario C. Briones, Mr. Romulo Ballesteros, LSPU Board Secretary, Mrs Maricel S. Crucillo, and Dr. Nimfa G. Dimaculangan attended the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) 2018 Midterm Convention which was held on June 27-28, 2018 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City with the theme, Positioning Public Higher Education for Strategic Global Transformation. They enjoyed obtaining new knowledge and updates from a full program of academic sessions from 8:00 o’ clock in the morning to 5:00 o’ clock in the afternoon of the two-day gathering of educators and leaders.
The Convention kicked-off with the processional of the PASUC national officers, guests, and PASUC Regional Chairs. The PASUC President, Dr. Tirso Ronquillo delivered an opening remarks and declared the formal opening of the Convention. The keynote speaker, Hon. Benjamin Diokno, Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary spoke on Funding Requirements of SUCs towards Global Higher Education Competitiveness. Welcome luncheon was served with the PHILSCA’s Sining Himpapawid Dance troupe and Chorale which entertained the participants. Its music punctuated the opening ceremonies and commenced the afternoon plenary session.
The afternoon session was completed by four speakers who dwelt on the Challenges in positioning SUCs for Strategic Global Transformation in Public Higher Education. Dr. Tirso Ronquillo started the session with the PASUC Midterm Report Card; the chairman on Audit, Hon. Michael Aguinaldo presented how COA could be a partner in the PASUC’s pursuit of excellence in governance and administration; the CHED Commissioner, Hon. Lilian de las Llagas identified the qualifications of globally competitive faculty, personnel, and staff after which Dr. Milabel Enriquez Ho facilitated the coffee table discussion. Hon. Pia Cayetano inspired the attendees with her message and pledged 2 billion pesos’ assistance to PASUC which was sent on the third day of the Convention.
On the second day, Hon. Ann K. Hofer gave updates on Committee on Higher and Technical Education. Hon. Alicia dela Rosa Bala, the Chairperson of Civil Service Commission talked about effective SUC governance thru Public Service; Madam Annabelle Echaves zeroed in on the importance of planning in her discussion of cash based budgeting and its implications to capital outlays budget utilization and disbursement of funds. Another CHED Commissioner, Hon. Ronald Adamat identified affirmative programs for marginalized sectors of the country under Universal Access. Dr. Serafin Ngohayon introduced the establishment of PASUC LEADERSHIP Enhancement and development (PASUC- LEAD ACADEMY). He said that all university officials are trained for effective delivery of their leadership. Mr Goh Siak Koon, General Manager of Singapore Polytechnic International presented his framework of international collaboration.
Significant issues and Higher Education Institutions’ concerns such as: governance and leadership, global education, free tertiary education, SUC funding and international concerns were discussed by the rest of the plenary speakers.
(N.G. Dimaculangan)