“Nakita niyo naman, malakas ang DMMMSU sa CHED Chair,” CHED Chairperson and Chairman of DMMMSU Board of Regents (BOR), Hon. J. Prospero “Popoy” De Vera jokingly remarked in the middle of his message delivered via video streaming during the University 40th Foundation Anniversary Celebration held at the North La Union Campus (NLUC) on January 15, 2021.
Chair Popoy underscored fund provisions he has approved for equipment upgrades and industrial programs. Inclusive of the said provisions are upgrade of engineering equipment close to 8M pesos, 10M pesos for the Sericulture Research and Development Institute (SRDI), 19M pesos for the upgrading of engineering equipment particularly for the training center for robotics and automation of the College of Technology, and 9M pesos for the Edumedia Hub of the DMMMSU Open University System.
In addition, he highlighted the significance of commemorating the university’s foundation:
“Celebrations of the founding of the universities are important because they are occasions for everyone in the University to reflect on what has been achieved in the past, recognize those who have contributed to the University, and develop a stronger and shared commitment to do better in the coming years.”
Moreover, the Chairman acknowledged the achievements of the University such as accreditation programs, acquisition of Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC), and reaccreditation of existing programs which, as he stated, attest to the high quality of education in the university.
“These accomplishments are a valid testament of the decades of continuous drive for excellence in instruction, in research, in community or public service, in linking with local govts and establishing local and international linkages and networks. But most of all, in producing quality graduates that contribute to the development of the communities, of the region, of the country,” he added highlighting the University’s accomplishments.
He further praised the University for its action plans amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He praised DMMMSU in spearheading and attending series of webinars, developing instructional materials, and construction of a performance-based and alternative assessments. He also commended DMMMSU officials who successfully brought their OJT students from Vietnam and Israel back to the Philippines. This was made possible through the help of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Transportation, Department of Tourism, and through partnering with CHED to successfully bring back the stranded students. He also thanked the University as De Vera for sharing their practices in flexible learning to Tarlac Agricultural University and other HEIs last June 2020.
“This effort complements the initiatives of the commission in ensuring continuous learning and continuous assistance to the faculty and students during this time of crisis. We work with other government agencies through the IATF to create an enabling environment where Universities are given as much flexibility as possible so that they can adjust to what they are doing to the specific conditions on the ground, to consult with local government, and more important, to send the signal to their students and their families that learning will continue.”
In his message, he also shared the implementation of the 3-billion smart campus initiative that involves all state universities and colleges, funding for affected part-time faculty members’ wages and student subsidy who have outstanding financial requirements or who still have unpaid tuition and miscellaneous fees.
“Through the budgeting process, the Commission has helped to ensure the approval not only of the budget of the CHED but also the budget of State Universities and Colleges. Funds for tuition and miscellaneous fees reimbursements, Tertiary Education Subsidy for academic year 2019-2020 to all state universities and colleges are already downloaded. Likewise, they are now processing TES beneficiaries for SY 2020-2021.”
“I’d like to assure all the education stakeholders in DMMMSU that free higher education funding is not only protected, it is increased this year so that together, we can help all needy students complete the university education.”
In his concluding remarks, he again underscored the essence of celebrating the foundation anniversary of the university and encouraged all stakeholders to commit and do better next year.
Lastly, he gave a motivating statement to everyone attending the 40th DMMMSU Foundation Anniversary. “Similarly, in COVID, we can only succeed if we all learn and educate as one.” (John Dovi Gonzales)