TAU celebrates 5th Charter Day

A virtual celebration with the theme Reimagining International Visibility through Sustainable Inclusive Partnerships marked the five years to the day since the former Tarlac College of Agriculture (TCA) was converted into Tarlac Agricultural University on May 10, 2016 by virtue of Republic Act No. 10800.

The celebration commenced at 8:30 AM with an Ecumenical Service which was immediately followed by the audio-visual presentation of TAU’s recent and major accomplishments in instruction, research, extension and internationalization. The said accomplishments include accomplishments in free-range chicken and sweet potato production and establishment of TAU Smart Agriculture Center for research; virtual inbound and outbound mobility programs for both faculty and students and project-based learning and immersion for instruction; initiatives like webinars and technical supports through various digital platforms for extension; and recognitions for internationalization.

TAU’s Vice President for Academic Affairs Arnold E. Velasco delivered his opening remarks mentioning the efforts of TAU to better its international reputation and visibility.

“Today, we will not only celebrate the noteworthy five years of our institution as a university, but we will also rejoice for our extraordinary milestones of receiving the three-star rating in the Quacquarelli Symonds Stars Audit and of taking the 601-800 spot in the Times Higher Impact Rakings 2021,” Dr. Velasco added.

After Dr. Velasco’s opening remarks, video messages from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), provincial and local government officials, government agencies and international partners were presented along with intermission numbers rendered by staff from the university and by the TAU Chorale and performing guild.

CHEDRO III Commissioner and TAU Board of Regents Chair Hon. Ronald L. Adamat, OIC Executive Director Atty. Lily Freida M. Milla, and CHEdRO III Director Dr. Maria Teresita M. Semana, in their video messages, commended the efforts of TAU to be recognized not just in the Philippines, but also in the world and challenged it for more successes.

“TCA, which is the forerunner of what is now known as TAU, has proven its mettle to be accorded the title of a university. In just a span of five years, TAU was able to rise not only from the national consciousness of people in the higher education sector, but also in the global arena of higher education institutions. From its humble beginnings as a local state college, TAU has grown in the stature as a global and international university,” Dr. Semana said. “Never rest on your laurels and continuously make your institution not just successful, but also significant as the institution adds value to the lives of other people,” she added.

Tarlac Governor Susan Yap and Camiling Mayor Erlon C. Agustin likewise lauded TAU for its international achievements and assured their continued support to all the university’s endeavors. Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo, President of Batangas State University and Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges, and Dr. Crispulo G. Bautista, Jr., DA RFO 3 Executive Director, also extended their congratulatory messages to TAU.

TAU’s international partners such as Dr. Ethel Agnes P. Valenzuela, Director-General, SEAMEO Secretariat, Thailand; Dr. Eva Handriyantini, Rector, Sekolah Tinggi Informatika dan Komputer, Indonesia; Dr. Sonja R. Knutson, Vice President for International Affairs, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada; Dr. Natthaphon Santhi, Assistant President for International Affairs, Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, Thailand; Dr. Hang Le, Vice Provost, Duy Tan University, Vietnam; Dr. Autchariya Kummee, Assistant Vice President for International Affairs, Lampang Rajabhat University, Thailand; Dr. Ir Arief Daryanto, Dean of College of Vocational Studies, Bogor Agricultural University, Indonesia; Dr. Yawteng Tseng, Dean of International Affairs, National Pingtung University, Taiwan; Mr. Muhammad Wahyu Islami Pratama, CommTECH and Study Abroad Program Manager, International Office, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Indonesia, also extended their congratulatory messages to TAU via video recording.

After the congratulatory messages, University President Dr. Max P. Guillermo delivered his message. “Our celebration themed Reimagining International Visibility through Sustainable Inclusive Partnerships reaffirms our steadfast commitment of realizing our vision to become one of the 500 universities in Asia,” Dr. Guillermo said.

Considering TAU’s vision, Dr. Guillermo contemplated on the question, “Where is TAU now?” and then provided, “With our most recent milestones of receiving Three-Star Rating in the Quacquarelli Symonds Audit and for our in in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2021, we could probably answer the question, where is TAU now?” He ended his speech by laying down the actions that shall be done to realize TAU’s aspirations.

During the celebration, TAU’s academic staff and students who received international and/or national awards were given recognition. TAU’s stakeholders were also recognized for their contribution in the QS Stars Audit and THE Impact Rankings.

Dr. Ma. Asuncion G. Beltran, TAU’s Vice President for Research, Extension and Training formally closed the program. Dr. Beltran reiterated TAU’s accomplishments in this year’s QS and THE Impact Rankings, thanked all TAU stakeholders for their efforts that lead to said accomplishments, and encouraged them to continue doing a great job and rendering the usual cooperation, coordination and complementation to have a better TAU. (ABGannod, PDO)