New UPV Chancellor bares plans and programs
(Excerpts from an interview by Lyncen M. Fernandez, UPV Information and Publications Office)
Dr. Glenn D. Aguilar
On November 2, 2005 the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UPV) officially welcomed its new Chancellor Dr. Glenn D. Aguilar. To serve until October 31, 2008, Dr. Aguilar is well-equipped to take the helm of the UPV Chancellorship seasoned by administrative work as former Director of the Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology at CFOS and as Vice-Chancellor for Planning and Development. Young, energetic, brimming with bright ideas, these well describe Dr. Aguilar.
What the UPV community may expect
On what the UPV community may expect from the new administration, Dr. Aguilar has this to say:
'Foremost, I think, that as a University, we really have to sit down and plan then decide on what we have to do within the framework of the UP System because if we have a plan, then we pursue the elements of those plans. Essentially, I want to work within the framework of the UP Plan and find out how UPV can fit. I would like to build a sense of community where everyone works together for a particular goal such as academic excellence and have programs that are relevant to the region or the country. And of course, we have to involve everybody in the decision-making process. Our five-year plan ends in 2005. We do not have another five-year plan. This time we have to do the planning more seriously.'
IPO: Do you have any specific projects that will most likely be given priority?
Dr. Aguilar: There are several projects that I have initially listed. Some of these are close to my heart. Every time I think of something I list it down. Some of the those that immediately come to mind are infrastructure, research and academic project initiatives.
Number one is the UP signage at the main entrance of the Miagao campus. I think Globe wants to donate. I don't know what happened to that proposal. I hope it can still be pursued.
Second, I would like to look at the efficiency of our operations. Why is it taking us such a long time to purchase things? Where is the backlog? I want to look at the process of procurement. Why is it very difficult to get supplies? Why does it takes several months to get a computer? Maybe we need to look at some structural sets ups or have an organizational or operational review. Maybe we can look at some programs that can be included in the planning workshop.
In terms of operations efficiency, we would like to formally have an MIS (Management Information System). What will this do for us in terms of efficiency? For example, in this recent call for promotion, we collect so many data. If we can formalize the data that we have collected, we can put them on file. Of course everyone has his/her own personal file. A copy is found at the HRDO. If we know where they are, in the future, we will know how to locate them. It's a pain to look for records but if they are organized and stored properly, then it would be easier to locate them.
A More Beautiful, Environment Friendly and Informative Campus
Dr. Glenn D. Aguilar
Chancellor Aguilar: Then I would like to also get my hands on campus beautification. I would like to make our campus beautiful. We would like to implement garbage segregation. We just need to add the number of garbage cans or waste baskets and distinguish the bio-degradable from the non-biodegradable. For every unit we should have a recyclable paper collector so that at least we will have a visible garbage segregation scheme.
In addition, we would like to have gardens sponsored by student organizations that are easy to maintain –you know – pocket gardens. For instance, around buildings so that these structures would have a sense of personality or character. I hope that there are student organizations that can help maintain these gardens.
The Importance of First Impressions
Dr. Aguilar: I have not actually concretized this idea in my head but I want to do something about the first impression that people get when they enter the university. I want them to have that impression that they can get a lot by being in UPV. Like when they enter our buildings, it would be great if they can immediately obtain some kind of 'knowledge.'
Reviving Enrollment at CFOS
Dr Aguilar: Ever since, fisheries is not a very popular course. On top of that, we have to compete with the popularity of high demand courses such as nursing so nobody enrolls in fisheries anymore.
Actually, we can have two approaches to that. We should encourage our students to attract fellow students to get into the program especially starting at the high school level. We must also have an aggressive information campaign - come up with materials that show where our graduates are. Make them see that being a Fisheries graduate will actually help them go places. Make the program more saleable.
I have started a GIS presentation for our batch, some kind of a 'where in the world are we now?' kind of thing. When my batch mates who were BFAR scholars knew about this, they immediately launched a Professorial Chair grant. Yes, this is one thing that I would really like to do. Point out where in the world are our fisheries graduates. Track how far they have gone. I hope to plot out where our graduates are.
Other Areas of Importance and Concern
Dr. Aguilar: I would like to do something about our land grants. Take a closer look at that. Come up with really good maps of our campuses. A map is a good database. When you take a look at universities abroad, they always have good maps and give a sense of where they are.
Of course, we also would like to have additional computers. For instance our library lack computers. I do not know if we can get more money from the System for this. Maybe also from donations. Additional wirings for these hot spots that should be networked and wired to the net are also needed.
Also, the UP centennial is coming up. We should start planning for that, form several committees to prepare for this big event.
Empowering the Deans
All these things plans and programs, I have to work with the team that I will form. From them, essentially, I would like to strengthen our deans especially in terms of academic programs and research. The deans should be very powerful and should be the leaders, not the Vice-Chancellors. The Vice-Chancellors are staff, what they essentially do is staff work. The deans are the front liners of any university because they are the ones that handle the faculty. The deans are the most important managers in the university. The deans play a crucial role. 'Dapat talaga magaling ang dean kasi walang mangyayari pag mahina ang dean.'