USP
PREPARING FOR 2015
Mrs. Teresita Villa-Ponce
Vice-chairperson, USPF Board of Trustees
The story of the
University of Southern Philippines is a story of a love affair between a man
and his vision; between a dreamer and his dreams.
Today we celebrate the
65th year of the Charter of the University. In 1949, the forerunner of the University –
then known as the Southern College - was granted the university status by the
Department of Education. It was part of
the vision of the founder of this school, the late Agustin Jereza, that this
school is meant for a higher purpose; that this school should nurture the young
and open for them greater opportunities to grow. That it has become a university was a
singular honor that he had aspired for.
It was a compelling goal of the founder that it should become a hub for the
education of the young and in so doing, be a more active, relevant and
meaningful contributor to the development of society and the country as a
whole.
We have grown in the
number of curricular offerings and programs; we have raised the competencies of
our faculty. We have the wherewithal to claim our rightful place in the
community of educational institutions. We, as a university, have lived true to
our commitment to quench our students’ “thirst for knowledge and quest for
truth…”. For what is a university if not
to liberate a person from the prison of ignorance and transform him to into a
valuable and productive member of society.
Today, new challenges
face the University. So it stands poised
as it flexes its institutional arsenal of academic programs, of management and
faculty competencies, facilities, and most of all, its institutional spirit of
foresight, dynamism and growth in order to meet the challenges ahead. The ASEAN Economic Community in 2015 is just
around the corner. How have we prepared
for this? Have we adapted a global
mindset and have we contextualized our paradigms as educators beyond the
classroom to the larger reality in a world that has become borderless and a
world whose technological advancements have grown faster than the human mind
can comprehend? How have we prepared for
the short term setback for our colleges lacking in enrollment when the reality
of the effects of K to 12 have set in?
We will hear today the
report of our dear Dr. Cabatingan on the University’s scorecard for the past
year and the plans for the coming months and years. It is worthwhile that we are abreast with
internal developments but more specially so with what is happening around us - our
immediate community, our country, our region, our world.
Our 65 years as a
University is indeed something to be proud of.
The richness of our history as a university can only be as meaningful
and significant as our ability to respond to the challenges we face and make a
difference.
Let me go back to where
I started - to the love story of the man carving his vision; the dreamer
pursuing his dream. Through his
creativity and innovativeness, coupled with grit and determination, the man,
Agustin Jereza, gave us this
University. Together, under our helm, we
should give this University a lasting future.
WE CAN DO NO LESS.
I welcome you to the 65th
Charter Day Celebration of the University of Southern Philippines and join me
in thanking God for the opportunity He has given USP to serve the youth.
Welcome Remarks
USP 65th Charter Day Celebration
July 8, 2014
