Dr. Aguilar honored by ASU Graduate Students

By Rodolfo Gumabong

For the first time in the history of Aklan State University in Banga, Aklan, more than 115 students of the ASU Regional Graduate Studies Consortium attended the first ever graduate school orientation and Induction and Fellowship held at the main campus of the university in Banga, on August 6, 2005. Dr. Helmar E. Aguilar, President Emeritus of the university was the speaker and honored guest.

The Aklan State University has graduate studies consortium in Iloilo City, Passi City, Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Kalibo, New Washington, San Jose, Antique, and Capiz. ASU is considered as the oldest existing agricultural institution in Western Visayas. ASU is occupying a total area of 99 hectares from the lands donated by philanthropic Banganhons. The Banga Intermediate School offered grade school curriculum until 1917 when a provincial board of Aklan passed a resolution chaired by then Gov. Simeon Mobo, renaming it as the Capiz Farm School, as the province of Aklan was still a part of Capiz province then.

The Aklan Agricultural College (AAC) started to ascend to a novel prominence when Dr. Helmar Aguilar assumed office as superintendent in 1975. The college concentrated on agricultural education, offering varied fields of specialization. It also started to offer master's program in elementary agriculture (MATEA) and agriculture education (MS Ag. Ed.). Under Aguilar's stewardship AAC had been known as the Regional Agricultural College of Western Visayas. Helmar's charisma perked the College's instruction, research, extension and production functions, capturing the hearts of many prominent persons in the local community to go with his dynamic vision.

On April 4, 2001, President Gloria M. Arroyo signed R.A. 9055 which gave birth to what is now known as Aklan State University (ASU), the first and the only university in Aklan, the first in Western Visayas outside of Iloilo City created by law, and the youngest of the SUC's in the region, Dr. Helmer Aguilar was appointed as its first president.

In his discourse to graduate students and faculty members Dr. Aguilar appealed to his audience to turn the nation's problems to opportunity and they should adopt the value formation they have learned as the failure of the government today has failed in its value formation process. He also said that the graduate students of ASU can help reduce poverty in this country by pursuing their researches to discover new methods and technologies for the good of our country.

Aguilar concluded his parting speech by encouraging graduate students of ASU to reduce poverty in this country by dedicating their best to develop power at the grassroots to alleviate their misery.