After he delivered his graduation message during the 62^nd VSU Commencement Exercises on April 22, 2015 at the VSU Gymnatorium, Hon. Carlos Jericho “Icot” L. Petilla, Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE), proceeded immediately to the VSU Renewable Energy Research Center (RERC) under the direct supervision of Dr. Roberto C. Guarte, VP for Administration and Finance and concurrent Dean of the College of Engineering,   for the inauguration of the said Center.  The occasion was also graced by the Leyte Vice Governor Carlo P. Loreto, Baybay City Mayor Carmen L. Cari, PRC Regional Director German Palabyab, An Waray Partylist Congresswoman Victoria Noel, PIA Regional Director Alicia Nicart, and other dignitaries.

The first Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Dr. Gerardo P. Sicat, visited the Visayas State University (VSU) on May 7-8, 2015 to discuss about agricultural situation in the region with some VSU key officials. Dr. Sicat was warmly welcomed by Dr. Jose L. Bacusmo, VSU President, and afforded a tour around the campus with the VSU President as the tour guide.  He personally observed the different facilities of the University including the research centers, academic departments, and other laboratories. 

In recognition of the achievements earned by the VSU alumni in the 2014 Board Examinations conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), the Visayas State University (VSU) accorded medals and cash awards to those who were placers in the different Board Examinations.  The awarding ceremony was held during the 62^nd VSU Commencement Exercises on April 22, 2015 at the VSU Gymnatorium. 

The Office of the Vice President for Instruction (OVPI), under the leadership of Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin, facilitated on May 4-5, 2015 a Seminar-Workshop on the Implementation of Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) at the VSU Convention Hall. It was participated in by 249 faculty members from the different colleges of the VSU Main Campus and four satellite campuses.

The Visayas State University (VSU) accorded the highest academic honor of Summa Cum Laude to Miss Angelica Joy G. Yu, a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (BSChem) graduate from Pawing, Palo, Leyte, for garnering a Grade Point Average of 1.141 during the 62^nd VSU Commencement Exercises on April 22, 2015 at the VSU Gymnatorium. 

The country’s oldest and largest professional organization of teachers of media and communication recently elected its next set of trustees who will lead the organization in the next two years.

The Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE) elected 15 trustees from its roster of members during its National Conference and General Assembly held on April 16-18, 2015 at the De La Salle University-Dasmariñas.

Three of the 15 trustees are faculty/staff of the Visayas State University (VSU)—Dr. Wolfreda T. Alesna and Mr. Jed Asaph D. Cortes of the Department of Development Communication (DDC) and Mr. Ulderico B. Alviola of the Information Office, who will soon join DDC after finishing his Ph.D. in Development Communication at UP Los Baños.

The new board is led by Prof. Marco M. Polo of DLSU-Dasmariñas who was re-elected as president. Joining him in the Executive Committee are: Prof. Joeven Castro of Far Eastern University (FEU) - Vice President for Luzon; Mr. U. B. Alviola of  VSU - VP for Visayas; Prof. Mahalia Acuña of Central Mindanao University - VP for Mindanao; Prof. Mark Lester Chico of University of the Philippines Los Baños – Secretary; Mr. J. A. D. Cortes of VSU - Assistant Secretary; Prof. Monina Bello of St. Paul University, Quezon City – Treasurer; Dr. Bettina Joyce Ilagan of Cavite State University - Assistant Treasurer; Dr. Rowena Capulong-Reyes of FEU - Public Relations Officer; and Prof. Gene Pamittan, Jr. of FEU - Compliance Officer.

The trustees are Prof. Ben Domingo formerly of Central Luzon State University and Chair of the CHED Technical Committee on Journalism, Prof. Nicky Salandanan of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), and Dr. W. T. Alesna of VSU. Serving as first term trustees are: Mr. Cortes of VSU, Prof. Janet Tibaldo of St. Louis University, and Prof. Joseph Tubilan of Cebu Normal University.  Dr. Gwen Pusta of UST is Ex-Officio trustee having been the OIC President of PACE before Prof. Marco Polo was elected President in 2012.

The new board is comprised of 12 trustees who were re-elected, three new trustees and one ex-officio. They will serve from School Year 2015/2016 to School Year 2016/2017.

In his message during their induction, Prof. Polo thanked the body for their trust and support to the Board and he urged them to continue to be actively involved in the various projects and programs of PACE.

This year’s election was semi-automated as members in good standing were allowed to vote online. The election committee was comprised of Prof. Melanie Briones of the University of the Assumption (Chair) and Prof. Ernest Collo of Benguet State University (member).  Rowena Capulong-Reyes/PACE Public Relations Officer

Greetings…

“Where your heart is, is where your home is.”

I’ve said same phrase two years ago in welcoming the alumni and I think it is worth repeating in this occasion. Your coming back to our alma mater means your hearts are with Visayas State University. For that we are all thankful. Welcome home! Welcome to your alma mater!

While you were away let me assure you that your alma mater is in good hands.

The quality of our instruction continued to soar. Thanks to Dr, Edgardo Tulin’s leadership.

Our first batch of Civil Engineers had 100% passing rate in the PRC Board Examination, our senior students in Mechanical Engineering had 100% passing rate in PRC Board examination m for Plant Mechanics, our nursing graduates have 94.2% passing rate making us one of the best school for nursing in the country and we have a board topnotcher in the PRC Board exam for Agriculture in the person of Mr. Nick Oswald  Borines. These are just some results of the board examinations our graduates took.

On programs, our agriculture program attained level IV- the highest level of accreditation. We have the highest number of Level III accredited programs among SUCs. Our university continues to be an ecologically friendly university. In 2013, our university was hailed as the most eco-friendliest/most sustainable campus in the Philippines.

On research and extension, we have not experience a year like this-when external funds for research is on the highest in the history of this institution. Thanks to Dr. Othello Capuno our VP for research and extension. We are now implementing relevant researches and extension in partnership with international agencies, LGUs, civil societies and line agencies. We are helping our brothers that were severely affected by Typhoon Yolanda and succeeding typhoons, rebuild their lives and livelihoods.

On resource generation, last year and we expect same this year, couldn’t be better. Our businesses were and are doing well. Thanks to Dr Vic Asio.  We have now undoubtedly become an event and tourist destination, an R&R university meaning a research and resort university.

On facility development, you just have to go around the campus to see and believed.  We owe this to the leadership of Dr. Roberto Guarte.

This afternoon, we launched the new function hall of our VSU Hostel. We will also be constructing a restaurant next to the Hostel so the VSU Hostel occupants need not walk to the guest house to eat or CCE for meeting. We will renovate the rooms so you will not try to outdo each other anymore to get rooms in VSU Apartelle.

We also had the newly renovated convention hall blessed. The building has undergone renovation in looks and now better floors. The rest rooms will also be renovated to meet international standards. To be truly a convention facility, another air conditioned break-up room will be added.

We are constructing an Olympic size swimming pool at Molave Hills and two new basketball courts, two new volleyball courts, two new tennis courts and host of other facilities for sports events in our upper campus sports complex. We will be more than ready to host the SCUAA this October.

We are working on the final phase of our new library. We have renovated and is converting the greenhouses along ITEEM into classrooms. We are adding new dormitory and studio apartments. We are adding another building for our engineering programs. We are working on the final phase of our new library.

We have other projects to implement this year but we don’t have enough time to discuss each one of them.

So folks, rest assured that your university/ your home is in good hands. As much as you love this university, we who are left behind also do.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the alumni for your trust and support to this stewardship.  As great rivers are formed by small tributaries, our university today is a product of contribution of each one of us, of each one in the university and even the community. It was truly an eight-year period of shared stewardship and all indications seem to suggest that we succeeded.

(but) Like water in the river, it has to flow out of the sea or the river will stagnate and stink.

My term will end this October, I have served notice to our BOR and I can’t wait a day longer to go back to research and farming.

Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you from the bottom of the hearts of all the present administrators of the Visayas State U.

JOSE L. BACUSMO