2023 State of the University Address: For sustainability and greater opportunities

To our dearest Vice Presidents of the VSU system, the Directors of our ever-growing research units, our dynamic department heads, other members of the University Administrative and Academic Council, the Chancellors of our component campuses in Alangalang, Isabel, Tolosa, and Villaba, and the Deans of the Graduate School and Students, to our alumni who are here and watching us via our livestream, our administrative support staff, beloved students, guests, ladies and gentlemen, a pleasant afternoon to all of you.

It is my joy to see everyone gather together in significant events such as this one, during which I will share with you the humble successes that we collectively achieved over the past few years. 

Needless to say, we feel a distinct vibe when our campuses are full of eager and committed students whose ultimate goal is to succeed in life and contribute to the greater welfare of our society and country.

Our accomplishments in the year 2023 cover the areas of (1) Administration, (2) Academic and Student Affairs, (3) Research, Extension, and Innovation, (4) Planning & Resource Generation, and of course our VITA Campuses (Villaba, Isabel, Tolosa, & Alangang)  

All of these areas that we will cover were the strong foundations that allowed us to build and bolster our systems to prepare us for sustainability and expanding opportunities for this year and the years to come.

First, Administration. This covers our linkages forged in 2023, Internationalization initiatives, hosting of local and international conferences, and university activities and awards. 

At VSU, we believe in forging meaningful collaborations to enhance our mission and deliver more excellent value to our community. This year, we have forged a total of 323 stronger links with other academes, private organizations, and government agencies through the Memorandum of Agreements and Memorandum of Understanding between our international, national, and regional, SUCs and other agency partners. To mention a few of our international partners; First, we have renewed our MOU  between the Masaryk University of the Czech Republic and Visayas State University. The MoU will serve as a foundational agreement to promote academic, research, and cultural exchange, and to foster joint initiatives that benefit both universities.

(2) We are now in collaboration with Tottori University, one of Japan’s national universities on two research projects that will be useful for jackfruit and cassava growers.  

(3) Jeju National University’s Subtropical Horticulture Research Institute (JNU-SHRI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Visayas State University’s Philippine Root Crop Research and Training Center (VSU-PhilRootcrops) to engage in field characterization of root crops using drone technology. 

(4) We renewed the signing of a MOA between the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (TUAT) and VSU to collaborate on various initiatives such as student and faculty exchange programs, joint research projects, and other academic activities. 

(5) VSU also forged a partnership with the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) also known as the Fulbright Commission in the Philippines to send more students to study in the United States. 

(6) Meanwhile, VSU also pursues greater global relevance here in Southeast Asia. With that three Indonesian faculty members from Universitas Negeri Malang (UM) visited the university and held a special dialogue on sustaining inclusive pathways for growth and innovation mainly organized by the College of Management and Economics (CME).

These and many more international partnerships mark a significant step forward in our commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and cutting-edge research & technology and beyond. By joining forces, we can create new opportunities for our students, faculty, and the wider academic community.

In terms of our support in IT infrastructure, roughly 4 million was invested in the FREE MICROSOFT 365 Accounts for VSU’s 18,000 faculty, staff, and students across all five campuses including the Integrated High School. We are grateful to PLDT for helping us realize this project. 

Furthermore, I’m thankful that VSU has been a fertile ground for hosting Regional, National, and  International Conferences. Recently, we hosted the 2nd International Conference on Development of ADCEP Philippines and the 5th UC Faculty Forum, the National Fruit Symposium among others.

Another notable achievement we attained this year is the official recognition by the National Book Development of our VSU Printing as a Publisher of Print and Digital Books. Indeed, such recognition will help us work towards becoming a university publishing house, launching our first book(s) during our centennial year. 

Next, VSU’s humble accomplishments and awards signify the quality of service we provide at this University. 

I just recently received the ICONS Award-Internationalization Leadership Award.

We are glad that VSU is in its Magic 10 position in this globally recognized assessment system that analyzed 366 Philippine higher education institutions and more than 31,000 universities and colleges globally. 

For two consecutive years, VSU has been hailed as the Top 1 Performing State University by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP)—the country’s largest accreditation body for universities and colleges. Furthermore, VSU also officially received the plaque of recognition for its Level IV institutionally re-accredited status making the university the first in both Visayas and Mindanao to get the highest institutional accreditation from AACCUP. 

Viscans, we’ve made it to be enlisted in the prestigious roster of top Universities in Asia, the Times New Higher Education World University Rankings (Asia University Rankings 2023) by getting a Reporter Status along with 5 other universities. 

Lastly, for the Institutional Awards, VSU is the 9th best University in the Philippines according to the latest edition of an independent assessment system called UniRank!

Congratulations VSU! These awards are for you, my dear VISCANS. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the VSU Faculty, Staff, Administrators, Stakeholders, and Alumni for your tireless support and collective effort. 

Now, we move forward to Academic and Student Affairs. This part covers the Accreditation, Support to Students, Enrollment, Faculty sent to Graduate Studies, and Webinars Facilitated activities of the University. 

This year, VSU was re-certified by TÜV Rheinland as compliant with the standards of ISO 9001:2015. 

VSU has exponentially increased its number of takers to 13,311 this School Year 2022-2023 with more than half the number of qualifiers. Our academic institution has a total of 10,043 enrollees in the main campus only.  

VSU always plays an active role in its support to students. This year, 828 students were recommended and Approved for Scholarship and grant applications for 1st Sem 2022-2023, 367 Scholars and grantees were given Stipend Payroll,  25 Scholars for Samar Leyte Texas (Payroll for Stipend), 386 Endorsed scholars for Opening New Accounts at LBP Branches Processed MOA between CHEd and VSU for ACEF-GIAHEP are among others. 

Four new international students have enrolled from Bangladesh and Belgium bringing our total of international students to eleven. Among them, two gentlemen from Bangladesh are pursuing Master's degrees in Tropical Ecology and Soil Science, while the two ladies are participating as exchange students from KU Leuven in Belgium.

VSU now has its own Veterinary Teaching Hospital that offers different veterinary services including general veterinary practices, clinical pathology and diagnostic services, surgical, and other specialized services for our pets and livestock animals. 

These are some of the VSU academic and student-related activities for 2023. 

I always appreciate VSU’s quality of students who are brimming with brilliant minds who excel in various competitions and rank top in licensure examinations. 

Our chemistry students, Marigold G. Lao, Nathan Kelsey B. Omandam, and Vic Andre G. Resmio for winning the 1st Chem-Olympiad organized by Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU)! Shekaina Love G. Aniban won the research competition held during the first-ever National Geodetic Engineering Summit (NatGES) and the 15th Geodetic Engineering Student Conference (GESC). 

We got back-to-back top 3 licensure exam topnotchers this year!  Engr. Jesriel C. Casinillo and Engr. Engr. Kenzo Braye Rendora Gerale, RCE, RMP. Engr. Casinillo took the 3rd spot in the licensure exam for agricultural and biosystems engineers last September 2023 while Engr. Rendora is top 3 during the  Master of Plumber Licensure Exam, respectively. 

Our strong support for further studies has sent many of our faculty and staff to prestigious universities abroad, Ms. Aira Mae T. Gavan now pursuing a full-time Master of Environmental Management (MEM) program at the Yale School for the Environment (YSE) and Dr. Ea Kristine Clarisse B. Tulin, a faculty at the Department of Biotechnology is also pursuing her postdoctoral studies at Harvard Medical School. 

Of course, our VSU faculty and staff are also on top in terms of awards and recognitions. Dr. Justine Bennette H. Millado brought home the Best Research Proposal presentation after pitching SEARCA and CHED’s joint research training. Then, 9 #ProudViscans were declared as CSC outstanding gov’t workers in Region 8 Daniel Leslie S. Tan, Marlon M. Tambis, and Inish Chris P. Mesias bagged the Presidential Lingkod Bayan (PLB) Award under the group category. The VSU Peatland Conservation Advocates consisted of Hermerose E. Matutes, Judith B. Jomadiao, Lilibeth G. Miralles, and Syrus Cesar P. Decena bagged the Civil Service Commission Pagasa (Pagasa) Award also in the group category. Meanwhile, Anabella B. Tulin and Armando M. Pabon conferred the Outstanding Public Official and Employee Award or Dangal ng Bayan (DNB) Award, respectively.

Dr. Mark A. Vega from Philippine Normal University. DPM alumnus and current Chief of the RCPC Division of DA-RFO7 and #ProudViscan won this year's PMCP GO Ocfemia Outstanding Plant Pathologist Award in Extension and Community Development in the person of Bienvenido Acabal Jr. For our faculty awards, we have Dr. Moises Neil V. Seriño, Dean of the College of Management and Economics (CME), who won the Outstanding Young Scientist of the Philippines given by the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST PHL).

At this juncture, I am glad to present to you the highlights of our Research, Extension, and Innovation accomplishment, which covers: Summary of Accomplishments, Research and Development, Extension Activities, Technologies Commercialized, and Innovation. 

REI summary of accomplishments includes 124 VSU Funded Research Projects, 45 VSU Funded Extension Projects, and 7 TBI projects with a total of 99,121,040.54 pesos funds generated for REI projects. 9,248 beneficiaries were trained from various communities in the country. And 10 MOA/MOUs signed with partner organizations and institutions. 

88,445,225.98 total funds were generated for 115 research projects. VSU has a total of 93 externally funded research projects recorded from local, national, and international partners. We have published 13 journal articles for research across journals. 

Furthermore, VSU extension initiatives have a 9.4% increase in Budget allocation from 2022 with 5,726,000.00 pesos GAA 2023 allocated. It has 49 continuing projects and 10 project proposals. 

Moreover, in terms of Technology Protection, VSU has 15 IP Filings (2 patents, 5 Utility Models, 2 Industrial Design, 5 Copyright, and 1 Trademark) and 12 patents and utility models under observation. 

In addition, VSU’s innovation initiatives gained a million budget allocation from GAA for Innovation projects, 28 various activities conducted, and 4 MOA/MOUs forged. It has 8 IP filings, 11 under examination, 4 patent searches conducted, and 4 IP applications drafted for approval. 

VSU -Innovation and Technology Support Office Got the Bronze Award in the 2022 ITSO 2.0 Clustering Program by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) during the ITSO Presidents’ Summit on March 28, 2023, at Sequoia Hotel, Manila. 

The Planning and Resource Generation highlights the status of major infrastructure projects. 

Three departments are now occupying the fully-renovated old library building of Visayas State University which is situated just above the Graduate School. The relocation of the departments will serve as a strategic move to provide students and faculty with a revitalized and conducive learning environment. The new space of the three departments offers 14 newly added rooms including the three separate offices for mathematics, physics, and statistics.

A data center is now in place adjacent to the Department of Information and Computer Technology Building. This center secures archives of electronic data stored on our Database Servers and NAS.

Our VSU Component Colleges are also successful in the implementation of its programs and initiatives. This year VSU Tolosa is the top Performing Criminology School in Eastern Visayas. VSU Tolosa obtained an institutional passing percentage of 51.43% for first-time takers which is the highest rating under Category A (above 100 takers).

VSU Tolosa also produced 3 regional top scorers in the April 2023 CLE with John Ryan A. De los Santos getting the 3rd highest percentage in Eastern Visayas while Arnold B. Ramis and Glen D. Manito secured 5th and 7th spots in the regional rankings of CLE takers this year. In addition, Mr. Sander Senado secured the 4th spot during the August 2023 Licensure Examination for Criminologists. Congratulations Tolosa!

With the aim to go global, it is indeed high time to continue intensifying VSU’s grit to fulfill its goal. Truthfully, a well-thought-out plan with action is the main pillar of a rewarding accomplishment.

So, for the coming years, strong plans are now in store at the forefront of the cutting edge of a century-old VSU.

First and foremost, Viscans brace yourselves for we are going to Celebrate a Century of Excellence next year during our Grand Centennial Anniversary! Mark your calendars on April 25-27, 2024, and keep posted for other centennial activities, which will officially commence in January 2024!

We are now a few steps closer to opening our own College of Medicine. On September 25, 2023, House Bill No. 7412 An act that seeks to establish the VSU College of Medicine was finally approved during its third and final reading. Along with the University of Eastern Philippines, VSU will be pioneering the Doctor of Medicine Program in the Eastern Visayas region.

In preparation for the VSU CoM establishment, the VSU College of Medicine committee conducted benchmarking activities both at leading SUCs and private institutions offering the said program. 

The VSU community would like to thank Hon. Carl Nicolas C. Cari, the Leyte 5th District Representative for authoring this bill, and Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical, and Vocational Education, for making this aspiration of our beloved university possible. 

We are currently creating the framework for the implementation of our Futures Thinking Initiative, which aims to make us a green metropolis national university of the Visayas based on our deliberate efforts in sweet potato and jackfruit research and innovation.  This is one of our groundbreaking initiatives that would potentially put VSU in the national spotlight for research and extension as both sweet potato and jackfruit offer so much potential in bringing in inclusive and sustainable productivity for our people here in Eastern Visayas and beyond.

Part of this Futures Thinking Project is pushing VSU into becoming a National Green University in charge of sustainable and inclusive agricultural practices that carry green innovation strategies in protecting the planet and building resilient communities that are ready for the many challenges of the 21st century.

Another major plan towards excellence is the VSU target as to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for giving us time to present our humble plans for the Centennial celebration of the Visayas State University. With your commitment to support the growth of our institution, we’re hopeful that this will translate to greater international prominence through the provision of our needed infrastructure projects that will help us push our collective aspiration to become a National Green University of the Philippines.

For VSU, technology advancement is not an afterthought but a core part that speculates on the future with Smart Campus Infrastructure. Smart classrooms and the Data Center are the essence of this project.  A further increase in our institutional subscription to leased line providers will soon be realized to be able to provide faster and more stable internet connectivity for everyone.

VSU is close to completing the Land Use Development Plan which will be the policy guide for the effective utilization of our existing land resources that can potentially generate future income for the university.

Another plan VSU has in store is to construct a Two-Storey Dormitory for Undergraduate Students located inside the VSU main campus which is intended to accommodate 222 undergraduate students. The project is in addition to the 24 existing dormitories and cottages operated by the University. There are 37 rooms and in each room, 6 students can be housed. Two rooms are specially designed to accommodate PWDs on the first floor. 

Next is the construction of the (3)-Storey Academic Building of the Main Campus, which is composed of 39 classrooms, specifically 13 classrooms per floor. With the realization of this building, we can cater to more students who aspire to study at VSU. 

For our internationalization efforts, VSU continues to forge strong collaborations with universities and research institutes in Japan, Germany, the Czech Republic, Cambodia, Belgium, Samoa, and the Fiji islands. We continue to strengthen our relationship with the European Union in line with our directions for massive internationalization of our curricular programs. 

Another internationalization initiative VSU has in the plan is the offering of Joint Degree Programs. Enabling credit transfer mechanism and joint degree programs in at least 2 universities in the ASEAN region involved in agriculture, environmental conservation, and related fields and possible expansion in European partner universities. 

With the plan to increase the mobility of VSU faculty and students by at least 10%, VSU will also strengthen its Innovation and Advanced Technology Development. New innovation areas in molecular markers for pest and disease diagnosis, material science from natural fibers including abaca, and natural products from indigenous medicinal plants for agriculture, health, and wellness will complete this initiative. 

Consistent with this, is our drive to be included in the global rankings of both Times Higher Education (THE) and the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). We have been given a Reporter Status by THE for this year and we hope to improve this next year guided by the suggestions given to us by our independent evaluators. As for QS, our application for global rankings is now in place and we’re hoping to be part of this elite circle as early as next year.

Another significant aspect of VSU's future plans is its commitment to providing quality education to its students. VSU aims to produce a Learning Resource Center that provides competent and ethically knowledgeable solutions for our students. To achieve this, VSU will continue to establish this center, ensuring that it is relevant to the needs of the VSU community it serves. The university will also improve its teaching methods and strategies, incorporating technology and innovative pedagogies to enhance student learning. 

Of course, attaining all of these will require the collaboration of our four component campuses, and for us to prepare them for a better future, we must also align the systems and procedures of VSU Alangalang, Isabel, Tolosa, and Villaba to international standards by subjecting them to ISO accreditation. We have accomplished this on the Main Campus, and our component campuses can surely do the same anytime soon.

I’m confident that with your enabling help and support to the VSU administration plus the unwavering assistance of our national and local officials, we will be able to accomplish more to make VSU relevant to the many challenges of our times. Allow me to thank each one of you for making VSU one of the best universities in the country today.

We will not be content with our existing status and will instead work extra hard to help our beloved university succeed and become a center of knowledge exchange and scientific advances in Southeast Asia and beyond.

As we crystalize these plans, VSU continues to embrace the ideals of diversity, equity inclusivity, and sustainable productivity in Eastern Visayas and beyond.

Finally, it is through you, our dear Viscans, that our vision becomes a reality. Together, let us propel VSU’s initiatives farther and further. 

Daghang salamat kanatong tanan at Mabuhay ang Visayas State University!  

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