UP in the 21st Century
Esnaen M. Catong
Ph.D. Student (CSSP), UP Diliman


At the outset, congratulations to President Emerlinda R. Roman and the other new leaders of the country's premier university!

Amidst crisis, the University of the Philippines has vibrantly proven herself in serving the nation and the people of Asia in the past several decades, and the rest is history. What role will the university play in 21st century and beyond will be more interesting to see.

The new university administration’s biggest challenge would be the upcoming centennial celebration considering the economic condition of the country. The university’s performance especially in the realm of research output, strength of faculty, state subsidy, et.al. will be gauged not only by the influential church-ruled academic institutions in the country but also by the fast-growing national universities in Asia.

In this light, let me emphasize that it is in the best interests of the Filipino people if the UP leadership will establish more linkages not only in the country's academic and research institutions but also in the Asia-Pacific Region, West Asia, and other parts of the world.

The leadership should be more pro-active in the promotion and advancement of engineering, science and technology research programs, and history and social sciences, as well as interdisciplinary studies using the inherent talents and human resource capabilities of the brilliant Filipinos here and abroad.

Let us seek the help and assistance of each and every Filipino scholar and of the U.P. alumni for many of them are eager to share. The concept of bayanihan and the spirit of belongingness should be promoted by the leadership for the members of the UP family and community to help the university in various ways.

In these difficult times, the OFW phenomenon should not be seen as a liability but a fair asset for national survival. The national leadership should support technical and health education so that our human resources will be equipped enough in facing the challenges brought about by the stiff competition in the labor market.

In this kind of situation, the university should push for a comprehensive yet affordable OFW re-integration program that includes health, education, and housing programs.

UP should spearhead in promoting peaceful co-existence between brothers and sisters regardless of beliefs, ethno-linguistic tribes, and political aspirations. Of course this can be attained if only our leaders in all institutions, government, non-government, and peoples' organizations, sectarian as well as non-sectarian, will lead by example.

UP as a prime institution of higher learning should lead the country in fostering a transparent mechanism for a corrupt-free society.

We should continue working hand in hand towards a highly educated society which does not sacrifice the socio-economic component of the nation. Let us maintain and enhance academic freedom, respect for human dignity, and religious tolerance in the UP academic community.

Finally, we should take care of the university's human resources. Our faculty and staff deserve reasonable salary, housing, and other benefits to uplift their morale. The retirees of the university should be accorded utmost honor and respect for they were instrumental in the being of the university. Above all, let us not forget the disadvantaged members of Philippine society… In so doing, the University of the Philippines will rise again.

Mabuhay ang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas!


Originally posted by Esnaen M. Catong: Sat April 16, 2005 8:30 am @ http://dg.up.edu.ph
Re-posted by him on Wed, 04/04/07 11:17 PM @ http://www.friendster.com/group-discussion/index.php?t=msg&th=347582&start=0&

The Western Mindanao State University is the lone state university in Region IX, and one of the leading institutions of higher learning in the Philippines.

Historically, this institution was (and still is) proud in serving as the center of academic excellence in the region. She exuded greatness in doing her pivotal role in educating the people (the then Indios, Infieles, and the Moros---a Spanish colonial classification of the people in the Philippines that lingered during the American Occupation and beyond).

In fact, this historic institution was part of the grand design of the Americans (public school system) to neutralize the Moro resistance against the military campaigns in the region viewed by the natives as colonialism. She stood up and herself witnessed the experiences of the populace under the Bureau of Non-Christian Tribes, the Old Moro Province, the Commonwealth, the Japanese Occupation, the Philippine Independence, and the Post-war Philippines.

Recently, pursuant to the university leadership's sponsored research, it was unveiled that WMSU as it is better known today is one of the oldest public schools in the Philippines (the old Normal School) which was founded by the American government in 1904. Had it not been because of the lack of "know-how" due to historical distortions---that the public thought that she was established in 1918,---the Centennial Celebration of WMSU was supposed to be in 2004.

Consequently, better late than never. Various sectors joined the WMSU family in celebrating the most awaited 100 years of existence of our dear alma mater. The all-year round activity that culminated in December 2006 was a convergence at its best.

WMSU produced and is continuously nurturing successful (top-notch professionals) graduates in various disciplines, and leaders in their respective fields of specialization. This academic institution was part and parcel of the infrastructures for peace and development in Mindanao and Sulu. Above all, she has served and is proudly serving the marginalized and underprivileged sectors of the Philippine society.

Congratulations!

At the turn of the 21st century, what is very interesting to see is the transformation of this more than a century-old state academic institution. Let our concern be felt, wherever we are---Zamboanga Peninsula(Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga Sibugay), Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Palawan, in any part of the Philippines, or abroad---let us support, in whatever capacity, the Western Mindanao State University---where we belong!


Originally posted by Teng Catong @ http://www.friendster.com/group-discussion/index.php?t=msg&th=247919&start=0&
Mon, 03/05/07 01:05 AM