Led by the sponsoring department from the EAC School of Business through Dean Cecilia Navarro, an academic convocation was successfully concluded in line with the 37th foundation celebration of the Emilio Aguinaldo College with the theme “Philippine Higher Education: CHED and the Philippine Education highway” conducted at the EAC Yaman Lahi Theater last February 16, with it keynote speaker Commission on Higher Education Chairman and Secretary Emmanuel Y. Angeles.
Emceed by Dean Nelida Lares of School of Liberal Arts, the convocation began with a doxology succeeded with the singing of the national anthem and EAC hymn led by our very own EAC chorale. An opening remark was given by Atty. Joseph Noel Estrada emphasizing the day as the highlight of the foundation celebration, He also articulated the academic concerns of the EAC in accordance with CHED “In EAC community we strive hard to ensure that the best education is provided to our students to be able to equip them with knowledge and competencies for global competition and survival.” Dr. Jose Paulo E. Campos introduced the keynote speaker CHED Chairman and Secretary Emmanuel Y. Angeles, in the opening of his speech shared his personal knowledge and friendship with the late National Scientist Dr. Paulo C. Campos and called him “one of the stalwarts in Medical Education and Health Care by establishing the Medical Center Manila for the Filipino people.” He also congratulated EAC President Dr. Jose Paulo E. Campos for carrying out the vision of his father which is “a commitment of providing quality education for our young people”.
In his topic of discussion Chairman Angeles discussed the “PGMA Higher Education Milestones (2001-09) and Proposed Action Plan (2010-15)”. He hashed out the snags regarding faculty development, student scholarship, research and development, facilities improvement, and quality assurance. He also talked on the current percentage of education budget vis-à-vis with the Gross National Product (GNP) 2.35% with an equivalent amount of 204.32 B pesos; he presented the number of non-board passers exceeded the number of passers by 64% from 2001-2008 across all board programs and proposed the implementation of Bologna process in the Philippines, this is a 15 years educational system firstly adopted by 2 Asian and 44 European countries.
In his vision in the future of higher education Chairman Angeles stated, “The government aim’s to provide education to the poor bright and deserving students. It is important that we elect a president that is for the youth, because they are the greatest asset of a nation.” He also called on educators the need to emphasize “love of country”.
Following from the talks was the presentation of plaque of appreciation awarded by Dr. Jose Paulo Campos and the opening of the floor for reactions, comments and suggestions came from various EAC schools and students. One of the topics covered with the Secretary was “no permit, no exam policy” which he himself exemplified as one of the oppositions. He, in fact, appealed to College administrators to give priority consideration to students through promissory notes instead of completely barricading the student’s right.
As a windup to the academic convocation, School of Science Dean Eduardo Senajon spoke a summative statement of the day’s significance “As partners in the academic community, a developmental paradigm shift in the educational system must be anchored on a solid foundation in basic education whose trajectory path must be directed towards a pre-university prior to a college or university work. This, however, entails a strong bond between the government sectors like CHED, DepEd and TESDA as well as the private sectors,” he addressed.
(by Regine Sidocon/Magdalo Publication and eaparas/EAC Publication)