MPG at helm as 1^st TAU prexy

TAU celebrates University Inauguration      

The Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) celebrated its successful bid for university conversion on the 8th of December 2016 for the formal Inauguration of the University.

The celebration commenced with a Thanksgiving Mass at 2 p.m. which was immediately followed by the Inauguration Proper at 4 p.m. Congratulatory messages were delivered by the members of the Board of Regents, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) officials and government leaders who were instrumental in the measures of the university conversion. The University Symbols (mace, academic collar, academic gown) were also presented during the Investiture of the University President.

Dr. Max P. Guillermo, the first University President, delivered his Inaugural Address accentuating his appreciation to the sponsors and authors of the bills (SB 2744/ HB5833) which eventually led to the signed R.A. 10800. He also acknowledged the contribution of all the University stakeholders for their support and efforts in all aspects required and undertaken during the Universityhood process.

The Journey to Universityhood: A Glimpse of Its Legislative History

Three (3) previous conversion attempts from 1999 to 2005 which ran through 11th, 12th and 13th Congress motivated the present administration to continue what has been started by the former presidents whose passion and dedication to convert the Tarlac College of Agriculture (TCA) into a university never faltered.

Confident that the institution has become progressively compliant with the requirements of CHED for the conversion of state colleges into universities, the Universityhood Committee conjured the endorsement of the legislators from the House of Representatives and the Senate who favorably sponsored bills for the conversion of the TCA into Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU).

TAU’s legislative history for the 16th Congress had a duration of one (1) year and six (6) days from the day Senate Bill 2744 has been filed by Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV on May 4, 2015 followed by the filing of House Bill 5833 which later on became HB 6212 by Rep. Noel Villanueva on June 2, 2015. The latest conversion attempt has been formally sealed through the signing of Republic Act 10800 (An Act Converting the Tarlac College of Agriculture (TCA) in the Municipality of Camiling, Tarlac into a State University to be known as the Tarlac Agricultural University and Appropriating Funds Therefor) by President Benigno Aquino III on May 10, 2016.

CHED Certification of TAU’s Substantive Compliance: University Conversion Through Merit

Prior to the signing of R.A. 10800, the CHED has already certified the substantive compliance of the institution to university conversion requirements in accordance with the provisions of CHED Memorandum Order No. 46, s. 2012, “Policies and Standards to Enhance Quality Assurance (QA) in Philippine Higher Education Through an Outcomes-based and Typology-based QA.” After thorough deliberation and upon favorable recommendation made by CHED Task Group on SUC Conversion, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commission en banc confirms by virtue of Resolution No. 080-2-16 dated February 9, 2016 the substantive compliance of the then Tarlac College of Agriculture with the CHED requirements for university status.

The Commission issued the certification on February 19, 2016 duly signed by the CHED Chairperson, Dr. Patricia B. Licuanan.

First University President

Section 9 of R.A. states the provision that in order to effect a smooth transition to a state university, the incumbent President of TCA shall serve as the first President of the University.

Thus, Dr. Max Pastor Guillermo, 5th TCA President on his 6th year at the helm, became the 1st University President of TAU. He has pursued a new strategic planning initiative: TCA @ 2015 (AIM HIGH) and now TAU @ 2025 (AIM HIGHER) that outlines the formulated institutional plans, based on strategic programmatic strengths supported by a comprehensive development plan that makes the institution an energized incubator of new ideas and center of innovation.

An alumnus of the University, Dr. Guillermo earned his BS Forestry degree in 1986. He specializes in Environmental Science for both his master’s and doctorate degrees at the University of the Philippines.

His experiences and training as former Director of the Planning and Development Office and later as Vice President for Administrative and Financial Services capacitated his leadership capabilities on institutional development and management.

Prospects

The University’s structural and institutional evolution greatly marked its vast contribution in developing the agri-based economy in Tarlac and the neighboring provinces.

TAU which started as an agricultural college aims to deliver the services as a specialized agricultural university in the Region envisioning to become a trailblazer of research and technological breakthroughs toward agricultural sustainability and food security not only in the local community, but in the Asian Region as well.

The University will continuously respond to the thrust of the government to prosper in the agriculture sector and in responsible effort to arrest environmental degradation. An agricultural university, such as TAU, is undeniably a viable solution to re-educate our people in this part of the country. While the industrial economy continues to prosper, the agriculture sector remains to be at the threshold of the lives of the people. 

It shall also considerably make its share in the attainment of the ASEAN’s objectives of increasing access to quality, increasing quality of education on performance standards, lifelong learning and professional development and in strengthening cross-border mobility and internationalization of education.