Dr. Efren L. Linan, SUC President III of Capiz State University (CAPSU), successfully concluded his campus visits on November 11 at Dayao and Pilar Satellite Colleges, and on November 12 at Pontevedra and Burias campuses. The visit was full of colors, merriment and celebration, as each campus held its own unique way of showing their warm welcome and appreciation to the president.
In Dayao Satellite College, Dr. Sebastian C. Caduco Jr., the Satellite College Director, led the welcoming of the president together with the faculty members, non-academic staff and students who lined-up along the driveway going inside the campus gym to welcome his arrival. After meeting and speaking with the students, Dr. Linan led the ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the two-storey building with 10 classrooms of Criminology Department.
In Pilar Satellite College, students were all smile as they waited the arrival of Dr. Linan from the campus entrance to the school’s covered gym where the event was held. Dr. Linan remembered his elementary days seeing the Rondalla band of Pilar Elementary School whom the campus had invited to perform. The president also expressed his delight as he danced with the faculty and staff during an intermission number led by Dr. Jennifer P. Benliro, the Satellite College Director.
In Pontevedra Campus, the President did a short tour around the school before joining the administration personnel, faculty and staff and student representatives from different organizations led by Dr. Honey Lee E. Casa, the Campus Administrator, at the event hall. Dr. Linan expressed his sincere appreciation to the unique and grand way of welcoming him in the campus. The faculty and staff serenaded the president with a song, to the delight of the president, before the program ended.
The final stop was at Burias Campus, the alma mater of Dr. Linan, where he finished his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering degree and worked as a full-time instructor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. It was like a homecoming for the President as he reminisced his study days and meet his former colleagues during the early days of his career. It was a perfect ending as Dr. Linan began his campus tour at Mambusao Satellite College, where he spent his high school under the Agri-Science curriculum at the then Panay State Polytechnic College, and ended it in Burias Campus where he obtained his bachelor degree and began his career in CAPSU.
Upon his arrival, Dr. Linan was paraded around the campus before entering the hall where the faculty members, admin staff and students led by Dr. Rodyard B. Madiclum, the Campus Administrator, are waiting and excited to meet him. Dr. Linan expressed his heartfelt appreciation to them and to all the campuses for their unique way of welcoming him. “Kanami batyagon nga ang inyo nanari-sari nga paagi sa pag-abi-abi sa bag-o nga presidente, nagapabusog sa akon tagipusuon kag sang akon lawas to continue working para sa Capiz State Univeristy’, Dr. Linan said.
These visits were an opportunity for the newly-elected President to present his plans for the university which is encapsulated in his vision – To become a leading university of academic excellence and innovation for future-ready communities. This vision is rooted in the values of Probity, Efficiency, Accountability, Collegiality, and Equity (P.E.A.C.E). The President also shared his mission and goals – Relevant Research and Innovation, Inclusive Education, Sustainable Production and Extension for Enterprise (R.I.S.E.).
Dr. Linan also presented his six-point agenda – Institutionalization of Relevant Research and Innovation; Melioration of Production and Enterprise Development for Sustainability; Progressive Management and Steward Leadership; Advancement of Excellence through Internationalization and Program Configuration; Contextualization of Inclusive Instruction and Training; Transformation of responsive extension programs and significant local and global linkages (I.M.P.A.C.T.).
Dr. Linan also presented his plans for introducing niche programs to each respective campuses thru the RISE CAPIZ program – Criminal Justice for Dayao Satellite College; Information Technology for Pilar Satellite College; Sustainable Seafood Initiatives for Pontevedra Campus; and Agricultural Technologies and Organic Agriculture for Burias Campus. Dr. Linan also pointed out that the other programs will not be left behind, but instead be strengthened further, as the university will always give its best to offer quality education in all curricular programs. “This is also one way of creating a brand for CAPSU. Branding is very important when we go global. So we hope that with the brand that we are going to develop, CAPSU will be on top among other universities not only in region but also in the whole Philippines’, Dr. Linan explained.
University key officials joining the president on this final leg were Dr. Wennie F. Legario, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Mary Ann B. Martelino, Vice President for External Affairs and Linkages; Dr. Susan O. Dangan, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Leo Andrew Biclar, OIC-Vice President for Research, Development and Extension; Dr. Cleo Jude A. Joaquin, University Business Affairs Office Director; Dr. Lucille L. Marquez, University Director for Gender and Development; Dr. Salvacion J. Legaspi, University Director for Crop Science, Research and Development Center; Prof. Jocelyn S. Legaspi, University Director for Extension; Dr. Aldin C. Lorenzo, University Director for Eco-Tourism, Landholdings and Physical resources; Mr. Federico L. Linan Jr., University Internal Auditor; and Dr. Arnel Van V. Aleligay, University Director for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management.
Text and photos by Frederick D. Almeida, CAPSU-PIO