“It has been almost a year since, and as I evaluate what we have so far done I am more than delighted to assure you that we have been moving forward – in fact, very speedily.”
Being at the seat as the University President for less than a year now, President JIM, as he is fondly called by his constituents, confidently faced faculty members, nonteaching personnel, students, alumni, and benefactors with a list of major accomplishments as he delivered his University Address during the 39th foundation anniversary celebration of DMMMSU held at the Mid La Union Campus, on January 16, 2020.
Among the major accomplishments that President Manuel highlighted in his address include the following:
- evaluation of the North La Union Campus (NLUC) by Institutional Sustainability Assessment (ISA) in September last year
- 73% accredited programs offered in the University
- three new programs with Level IV reaccredited status
- 100% Outcomes Based Education (OBE) compliant undergraduate courses
- full implementation of GE courses
- two board topnotchers (4th in the Licensure Examination for Teachers, and 6th in the Licensure Examination for Agriculturists)
- three programs with at least 25% higher passing rates than the national passing rates
- 63% higher passing rate of the first batch of graduates of BS Criminology Program compared with that of the national passing rate, making our BS Criminology Program Number 1 in the Province and Number 2 in Region I.
- six research publications in reputable peer reviewed journals
- 32 intellectual property registrations
Bolstering the spirits of his listeners, Manuel also mentioned the 304.5M outsourced funds with CHED giving the largest contribution; 9.8M gained from projects; increased incentives for scholars, athletes, and arts and culture talents; and increased incentives to be given to teachers, students, nonteaching staff, and academic units for their outstanding accomplishments in areas of instruction, research, extension, production, and service.
Moreover, Manuel boasted about DMMMSU’s being the 6th entire the country with the greatest number of Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) beneficiaries, each receiving PhP40,000/year for books, transportation, supplies, room and board fees and other education-related expenses.
Manifesting his heart for saving DMMMSU heritage, Manuel further mentioned about the creation of Land Transfer and Titling Office (LATTO) which has been responsible for securing land holdings and registering them under the name of DMMMSU.
Furthermore, Manuel spoke of the 294M capital outlay for 2020, an enormous increase from the 107M-peso capital outlay in 2019. To advance the teaching and learning environment, Manuel announced the total amount of 39.5 million pesos allotted for repairs and construction of libraries entire the University. He was also happy to report about the 100% campus interconnectivity. Relatedly, he stated that the Mid La Union Campus is now Wi-Fi campus via Smart Google Station.
Manuel narrated that the first thing he and the university officials did immediately after he was installed as President was the review and revision of the organization structure; hence, the Revised Organization Structure. A number of policies, manuals, handbooks, and guides were reviewed, revised, or crafted – an answer to his goal of ensuring a more responsive management and governance.
In addition, Manuel wowed the whole University when he enumerated the numerous accomplishments of DMMMSU in intensifying internationalization endeavors and forging more networks and collaborations: “We now have a more dynamic and functional office of internationalization and global networks.”
Finally, Manuel also commended the alumni office for its efforts in guaranteeing a unified, strong, collaborative and supportive alumni. Dr. Delia Imperial, the Director for Alumni, commended the address: “it’s the first time that the accomplishments of the alumni office was mentioned in the University Address.”
After expressing his deepest appreciation for the support of all the University officials, employees, students, alumni, and benefactors, Manuel concluded his address by asking all the employees of DMMMSU to find joy and purpose in their work every day. Referring to the students and other clienteles coming to DMMMSU for help, Manuel pleaded before the faculty members and nonteaching personnel: “think of how you can brighten their day, how you can make them smile, how you can touch, encourage, inspire, or empower them, how you can help improve their life and their situation in ways you can do.”
Dr. Jaime Ipac Manuel, Jr. (hence JIM) is the 6th President of DMMMSU succeeding Dr. Benjamin P. Sapitula. He formally assumed the Presidency on February 8, 2019. (ayu)