The new Tarlac State University administration along with the Board of Regents immersed in a four-day strategic planning workshop for the calendar year 2023 focused on making TSU a “go-to” university for instruction, research, extension, and production.
The body convened from January 31 to February 3, 2023 at Acuatico Beach Resort in San Juan, Batangas with agenda consisting of 2022 accomplishments and 2023 plans. The proposed TSU vision, mission, core values, roadmaps, and organizational structure were also discussed and critiqued.
With the TSU Administrative Council taking the helm of implementing the plans for the university, Regent Evelyn N. Castro, National Economic Development Authority Regional Office III OIC Director, posed a challenge to the “cream of the crop” to lead the university in a “witty way.”
She went on to describe TSU using the acronym “Totally Scintillating University,”
“Please remind yourselves of that (scintillating or witty). Because that means, as the crème de la crème [or] cream of the crop of the university as leaders, you need to really lead the university in a clever and witty way… people who are dazzling, brilliant, and exciting,” she said in her inspirational message.
Moreover, Regent Castro stressed the importance of strategic planning as it dictates the direction of the university. This is in response to TSU president Dr. Arnold E. Velasco’s perspective on setting the direction of the university as the “captain of the ship.”
“I liked the word that you (activity host Prof. Augusto N. Lulu Jr.) used; you addressed me as the ‘captain of the ship.” With that naalala ko lang ‘yung one quote from Jimmy Dean (award-winning country musician and actor). He mentioned ‘We cannot control the direction of the wind, but we can always adjust our sails to reach our destination,’” Pres. Velasco said.
“In our planning today, of course, we are advancing actually the things that we will be doing, not only what we will be doing but also when it will be done, most especially how to accomplish these plans and also by whom these plans must be done,” Pres. Velasco added.
TSU as a “go-to” university
Members of the Board of Regents gave inputs to the plans presented by selected university officials with a consensus that TSU must continue making an impact within the community.
Both regents Castro and Engr. Dennis Norman T. Go, BOR member representing Hon. Mark O. Go, remarked that TSU must be a relevant and reliable partner of government agencies and the private sector since it is recognized as a premier state university in the northern part of Central Luzon.
“So, when it comes to research and extension, dapat go-to university rin tayo. When you say local governments would need something, would like to study something, let’s say, for example, the impact of making Capas a city… magtanong tayo sa TSU kung anong maitutulong nila to research… Punta tayo sa TSU, ipaaral natin. So, ‘go-to,’” Regent Go said.
Regent Castro also commented that the university must come up with niche projects and programs that can impact the community and strengthen relationships with universities outside the country.
Meanwhile, Regent Dr. Alvin P. Belarmino, private sector representative, shared the concept of minimizing the instance of migration and urbanization in the context of offering quality academic programs, particularly the in-demand medical programs, within the borders of the province.
“’Yung mga anak natin they really have to go to Metro Manila just to get their college studies. Kung itong mga pangangailangan na ito we consider them and put these courses as part of our curriculum and courses that we will be offering, then malaking tulong sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.
This was seconded by Regent Go noting that the university could pioneer program offerings that are responsive to the needs of the community and the industry.
On the other hand, alumni regent Dr. Reynaldo L. Catacutan commended the engineering and architectural designs of buildings at TSU, particularly at the Lucinda Campus, which are outputs of its graduates.
“I do believe that the graduates of TSU are really magagaling… Ako ay naniniwala sa mga kabihasnan ng mga engineering graduates at engineers natin sa TSU,” he said.
Regent Jose D. Lacson, also a private sector representative, highlighted the relevance of studying the financial investment in education and focusing on the cost correlation in curriculum development for data-driven decision-making.
He also commended the university’s information systems, hoping to see more of the learning component in the system by having smart classrooms and campuses.
Faculty regent Prof. Douglas C. Ferrer and student regent Bea Claren D. Tagasa also provided inputs in support of the sectors they represent.
