‘PREMIERE RESEARCH UNIVERSITY’: New WVSU president eyes science programs

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

THE newly-elected president of the West Visayas State University (WVSU) aims to make the institution a premiere research university through aggressive research programs.

This is the priority of Dr. Joselito Villaruz who was elected as the eighth WVSU president by the Board of Regents (BOR).

In an exclusive interview, Villaruz said his main vision is to open new programs in the field of natural sciences such as molecular biology, physics, and chemistry.

“My vision is really to look into new programs in natural sciences such as molecular biology, physics and chemistry because I think new knowledge now can be generated in the age of genomics and molecular basis of understanding of phenomena. I think we need these natural sciences programs to explain things and to generate new information,” he told Daily Guardian.

According to Villaruz, he wants the university to be recognized worldwide as a premiere research university.

“More courses for natural sciences would be a very good venue for research production. I want this university to be recognized all over the world as a premiere research university,” he said.

One of his platforms is also to be open and engaged with the student’s concerns.

“My office would be open for your concerns. I am for student empowerment. I believe we can solve problems by having consultations because after all the students are our primary clients,” he said.

Villaruz added that he wants the students to have a say in their learning experience by involving them in consultation programs and curricular review.

I will be suggesting to the involved colleges to conduct appropriate programs to address this problem

“I would like to see them being creative and innovative, I wanted them to have a say of how they are being taught whether they are satisfied with the way they are taught. I want them to have regular evaluation. We already have that but I want it to be more in-depth,” he said.

With his new term, Villaruz said he hopes to build on the quality standards and excellence standards of the university.

“My mission would always be to maintain the quality standards and excellence standards of the university in terms of producing excellent professionals that will serve the human resources needs of the region and the country and of the world,” he said.

“We welcome all students especially hardworking students who concentrate on their students to enroll here in WVSU. We promise to provide you with the best learning experience for you to achieve the different program outcomes that we want you to become in order for you to be competitive n the different work places that you will apply for in the future,” he added.

Villaruz succeeds Dr. Luis Sorolla Jr who served the university as president for more than five years.

In a separate interview, Sorolla is certain that with Villaruz’s administrative experience, maturity, and academic qualifications, he can manage WVSU very well.

“I am certain he can manage the university very well,” he said.

Sorolla who officially ended his term on Tuesday considered infrastructures and buildings; outstanding performances of graduates as topnotchers; high ratings in board examinations; and faculty development as part of his many legacy as WVSU president.