𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒 | 𝐏𝐔𝐏 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬, 𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐮𝐩𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐀𝐔

Article | Jerome L. Duque (External Linkages and International Affairs)

Photos | John Paul Q. Gordovin (External Linkages and International Affairs)

More than 40 officials composed of college deans, directors, and chiefs of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) from its main campus in Sta. Mesa, Manila and 22 branches and satellites visited Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) to conduct another leg of its Leadership and Management Program (LAMP) at TAU AgriTourism Hostel Function Hall on 3 March.

TAU President, Dr. Max P. Guillermo, warmly welcomed the PUP delegation by introducing TAU’s humble accomplishments and flagship products. “Walang sekreto ang TAU sa kaunti nitong tagumpay. Siguro ay nadala lang talaga sa pagtutulungan ng lahat,” Dr. Guillermo underscored. Also, Dr. Guillermo informed the participants about TAU’s profile. “Isa kaming agricultural university kaya naman ang mga banner commodities namin ay mga produkto ng maliliit na magsasaka.”

In the morning session, TAU officials narrated experiences and best practices in their respective offices. Dr. Marianne P. Villaruel discussed the university’s gender and development program while Dr. Maria Elena T. Caguioa presented TAU’s research and development agenda.

The plenary was continued in the afternoon by Dr. Yolanda S. Guillermo who explained TAU’s extension and training policies and programs. It was followed by Dr. Christine N. Ferrer’s talk on internationalization which Dr. Sanjay P. Claudio, Chair of the PUP LAMP Committee, regarded as the reason for TAU’s transformation. However, in her reply during the open forum, Dr. Ferrer clarified that whatever TAU has achieved is a product of stakeholder collaboration.

Panels focusing on human resource management office (HRMO) development and financial management and integrity development ensued. Such were led by: Ms. Abigail O. Manaloto, HRMO Chief; Mr. Lyde G. Ragus, Budget Officer; Mr. Eduardo Cabrera II, Procurement Management Services Unit Chief; Ms. Novabina C. Eugenio, Property and Supply Management Office Chief; and Ms. Maryjean Poquiz, Accounting Office Chief.

Meanwhile, Dr. Claudio praised TAU’s hosting of the event. “Mula sa masasarap na pagkain hanggang sa napakainit niyong pagtanggap, maraming salamat kay President Max at sa buong TAU sa lahat ng aming natutunan ngayong araw.” He also recalled that a decade ago, he served as an accreditor to the former Tarlac College of Agriculture (TCA). “In ten years, napakalaki ng pinagbago ng TCA. This is the reason kung bakit pinili talaga namin ang TAU mula sa mga state universities and colleges (SUCs) sa Pilipinas.”

Before heading home, the PUPians were toured by Dr. Ma. Asuncion G. Beltran, Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training, Ms. Eugenio, and staff of External Linkages and International Affairs (ELIA), inside several of TAU’s strategic centers which include the Free-Range Chicken Farm, Engineered Bamboo facility, and SMART Agriculture Center.

#TAUGlobal #PUP