PROFILE OF UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
Dr. Silverio Ramon Dela Cruz Salunson is an esteemed academic leader who currently serves as the President of Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU). Having worked in higher education for more than twenty years, Dr. Salunson has shown outstanding skills in business administration, management information systems, and educational leadership.
Fondly called Sir Vermon, the second president of TAU was born in Victoria, Tarlac, on 5 November 1977. Since childhood, he was very promising in all his academic pursuits. He had formal schooling from 1984 to 1990 at the Victoria East Central School, and then he got enrolled at Victoria High School, where he completed his secondary education and laid a strong foundation for his future.
He then went to the Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA) in 1994 to commence his college journey; he completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), Major in Management Information Systems. This would equip him with a perfect combination of business understanding and high-tech competency to face up to the challenges that await him.
His ambition to become an outstanding teacher motivated him to pursue many doctoral degrees. Dr. Salunson continued his study after receiving his bachelor's degree, attending Tarlac State University (TSU) for his postgraduate studies. From 2003 to 2007, he obtained master's degrees in both business administration and education. Such an avid learner would achieve his peak performance when he completed his Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) in the year 2015.
The diverse educational experience of Dr. Salunson provided him with a unique view that embraced business strategy, educational theory, and practical leadership abilities.
Dr. Salunson's professional journey is one of gradual rise with added responsibility: from being a property staff back in 1997 to becoming an Instructor of AMA Computer Learning a year later, he has had a brief stint in the private sector as a consultant in customer care and returned to academia at Holy Cross College from 2000-2005. In 2003, he transferred to Tarlac College of Agriculture(TCA), now TAU, where he made the largest impact in his career.
From 2007 to 2014 at TCA, he was able to advance his position from Instructor I to Assistant Professor II. From 2009 to 2016, he improved his expertise in academic administration and gained insight into the needs of both students and faculty while working as the Director of Admission and Registration. Upon the conversion of TCA into TAU in 2016, his leadership abilities were recognized as he was appointed Dean of the College of Business and Management (CBM). He had turned creative ideas and had an impact regarding the orientation of TAU's business education program before assuming office as SUC President on 3 June 2024.
Beyond his administrative duties, Dr. Salunson wears many hats: he is an educator, inspiring the next generation of business leaders. In his role as a mentor, he directs students and colleagues towards achieving excellence. In his capacity as an accreditor, he ensures that TAU upholds the highest standards of educational quality. Being an innovator, he always seeks innovative methods of enriching the college experience. As a business incubator, he is keen in promoting industrial cooperation and entrepreneurship to particularly support the students and society at large.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Dr. Salunson dedicates a significant amount of his time to serving the community and holds leadership roles in various civic groups. Presently, he serves as the Vice President of Council of Deans and Educators in Business Region III (CODEB III) and Assemblyman for Northern Luzon Region VI in the Fraternal Order of Eagles - Philippine Eagles, Inc. He also served as Club President of the Tarlac Alab Tala Elite Eagles Club for the years 2022 and 2023.
In addition to his academic qualifications, Dr. Salunson's commitment in academia and community service has contributed to his excellent leadership in education and business administration. His commitment to furthering academic achievement and advancement of education is still evident in the organizations and communities he is involved in.
TAU under Dr. Salunson: Pioneering SMART Revolution in Central Luzon
Under the new leadership of this visionary president, TAU is at the "threshold of positioning" itself as the frontline model of sustainability and innovation in academia. TAU commits itself to the establishment of a successful educational setting through infrastructure development, accreditation, relevant research, and modern technology in line with the needs of students, the community, and the industry. Such an approach prepares its graduates well enough for the challenges that lie ahead while putting TAU as one of the leaders in agricultural education and sustainability within the locality and worldwide.
Dr. Salunson’s administration promises to transform TAU into an exemplary institution, a technologically-equipped campus with modern amenities, and a hub for research, innovation, and community engagement. Creating a sustainable and green campus is a crucial aspect of this viewpoint as the university's dedication to sustainability is the beginning of achieving sustainability goals. The President aims to establish an even greener campus through renewable energy and developing agro-technopreneurship and labs as innovations in business. In doing so, sustainable practices can be sewn into daily life of each student and stakeholder to allow them to understand the value of preserving the environment. Community gardens, solar farm projects, and other training programs in modern farming technologies that are both financially feasible and environmentally friendly shall be put up in place.
As improved facilities are crucial to a modern academia in the 21st century, the President looks forward to seeing ample improvements in the infrastructure. Modern technologies will be incorporated into the blueprint of the campus, giving TAU useful sensors, data processing, and reliable internet connection. Above all, these fresh ideas will help in improving the ways in which students are engaged and interacted with, thus making instruction more effective in a technology-driven setting while readying students for the global job market.
Dr. Salunson also focuses on program accreditations especially AUN-QA and PQA and continuous ISO recertification to meet global education standards. TAU aims to be globally recognized and respected by ensuring that all its programs meet international standards for quality management systems. This commitment will enhance TAU's reputation and provide students with a broader selection of courses.
The research goals need to be in sync with what the community requires. Part of the President's plan involves creating effective SMART research and extension programs that are suitable for both educational purposes and the industries TAU is catering to. These research efforts focus on advancing the adoption of technologies created into usable applications. By doing that, TAU will transform into a tangible tool for local farmers and businesses, enhancing economic growth in the region.
Collaboration is essential for achieving technological progress. Working alongside tech companies and government leaders as well as academic institutions, Dr. Salunson aims to provide the university with a valuable source of educational materials. He is looking for new modes of learning and external funding, so that the students may be adequately prepared for bursting career opportunities in technology-based industries.
To ensure that the university works properly, TAU’s current administration is committed to adequate and comprehensive training programs for administrators, middle management, and rank and file employees. Well-informed stakeholders knowledgeable in top practices related to higher education administration work at the university. This will ensure that students are in a supportive and responsive learning environment that enhances their academic experience.
Creating a one-stop center that intends to offer holistic service connecting students, faculty, staff, and alumni seamlessly is also a priority. It is expected to provide new methods to simplify registration, course scheduling, academic advising, financial aid, and other vital support services. Hoping to become a more holistic and integrated university for all stakeholders, TAU streams this process.
The spread of IoT devices throughout the campus would ensure efficiency and connectivity in the future at TAU, with a residual effect on the handling of transportation management, navigation of the campus, and monitoring of the environment. Better use of resources, for example, reducing waste through sensors, and practicing smart agricultural practices would improve campus operations and create an educational environment for the students to engage in exploring smart agriculture.
Dr. Salunson’s Visionary Journey in Making TAU a Premiere SMART University
In this constantly evolving scenario of education, Dr. Salunson is endowed with the visionary approach of renovating and reshaping the role of academic establishments in facilitating innovation, sustainability, and community involvement. Under his tutelage as president, TAU strives hard to fulfill its mission through focus on six attributes forming a SMART university: SMART People, SMART Learning, SMART Research and Training, SMART Environment, SMART Technology, and SMART Security. Every element is crucial in shaping the university's destiny and enhancing its influence on society.
The President emphasizes that any member should contribute to the goals of the university. TAU strives to give potential students from different walks of life an opportunity to receive a top-notch education through its dynamic scholarship program.. The university plans to enhance collaboration and support its research and community efforts through partnerships with diverse partners.
Gathering input from various sectors is crucial for this approach. It helps improve services and promotes a sense of belonging. The University President plans to enhance collaboration and boost its research and community projects through partnerships with nearby companies.
Thorough training guarantees that teachers and staff stay up-to-date, while extracurricular and academic activities enhance the overall educational experience. Programs will be consistently evaluated to ensure its faculty remains at the forefront of educational quality.
Fulfilling the university’s vision requires a dedicated emphasis on creative teaching methods. The President is committed to accrediting TAU programs to ensure they meet strict international educational standards in order to achieve this objective. Utilizing advanced Learning Management Systems (LMS) simplifies the transition to digital education by enabling the development and maintenance of modern online learning platforms that cater to different learning styles.
In order to show a commitment to accessible education, Dr. Salunson is investing in fiber-optic infrastructure to ensure extensive Wi-Fi coverage across the campus. This investment enhances students' educational experience and prepares them for the digital landscape they will enter after they graduate.
TAU is ready for significant advancements in research thanks to the development of SMART research and training programs. The President looks forward to high quality and quantitative output in research while pursuing collaborative SMART research and development programs that will allow for greater links between the academia and the industry, thereby enhancing deeper engagement with farmers and the agricultural sector.
To protect the innovations and findings from SMART research efforts, the President commits itself to operationalizing the Intellectual Property Rights Office. Updating the SMART Research & Development Agenda regularly will ensure that the research efforts undertaken by the university are relevant and impactful. Further strategies for the development of a vibrant research culture at the university include mentoring junior researchers by senior faculty members, with continuous evaluation of research programs.
Emphasizing the importance of sustainable development, Dr. Salunson has committed himself to turning TAU into becoming the very first mover in SMART environmental practices. This will be encompassed by undertaking large-scale construction of smart physical infrastructure as well as upgrading the existing buildings to support SMART technologies. An important endeavor is making advanced waste management systems a hallmark of greater contributions from the university toward environmental sustainability.This will be through renewable energy solutions as well as investment in different energy storage technologies, further enhancing the green initiative initiatives. Recycling encouragement and waste reduction efforts should constitute elements of this environmental focus to put TAU at the forefront in sustainable practices.
To be able to function properly in the new data-centric world, Dr. Salunson identifies a need for a place where advanced technology could be integrated into its own processes. He has partnered with third parties to establish advanced data centers where better management of data can be achieved with improvement in research capabilities.
There is a strategic shift to focus on resource allocation towards technological advancement, which can result in the generation of mobile applications and AI tools enhancing learning activities and the efficiency of operation. Smart sensors from the implementation of IoT shows TAU's commitment to facilitating technology in pursuit of sustainability objectives by building an intelligent ecosystem within the campus.
Along with these new technologies, there is the need to provide security measures; the administration of Dr. Salunson is devoted to ensuring that the campus is a secure environment through multidimensional SMART security. Campus-wide Wi-Fi systems and covered pathways will create better security when navigating through the grounds.
Building of automation systems and smart security technologies safeguards both the students as well as the staff with advanced real-time tracking systems that even detail safety matters. Establishing rigid cyber security measures ensures data integrity and security for the benefit of all the various constituents of the university.
With Dr. Salunson at the helm, TAU is moving towards becoming a leading SMART university that not only teaches but also makes a significant impact on the community and global community. Through developing intelligent individuals, promoting intelligent education, progressing intelligent research and training, dedicating to an intelligent atmosphere, incorporating intelligent technology, and guaranteeing intelligent security, TAU is effectively getting ready for a future characterized by innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. By implementing this comprehensive strategy, the university strengthens its commitment to supporting students and cultivating a successful academic environment, ultimately setting the stage for a brighter future.
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