By: Liezel A. Vidal
University of San Sebastian – Recoletos (USS-R) or San Sebastian University – Recoletos (SSU-R)? SSC-R Manila had its soft launching for University Status last June 21, 2019 at the St. Thomas of Villanova College Library. The event was participated by all members of the Sebastinian community.
Prior to the said launching, a Eucharistic Celebration was held at the St. Ezekiel Moreno Chapel as Thanksgiving for passing the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) re-survey visits to the Grade School and Junior High School programs. Rev. Fr. Nemesio D. Tolentin, OAR officiated the mass and concelebrated by other Religious Administrators.
The launching was facilitated by Dr. Rodrigo F. Ponce, Jr., the Director of Quality Assurance Office (QAO). The two principals, Dr. Juliet M. Baltazar of the Junior High School Department, Mrs. Olga O. Paguia of the Grade School department, and Dr. Lolita A. De Guzman, the Dean of the College department, delivered their messages of gratitude to the Sebastinian community for extending help and support to make the re-survey visits a success.
The ten-point agenda was presented by Dr. Rodrigo F. Ponce, Jr., Director of the Quality Assurance Office. First, on CHED accreditation, to maintain the Autonomous Status granted by CHED until 2019, to pass the CHED’s Institutional Sustainability Assessment (ISA), to be granted Center of Development (COD) in at least two (2) programs. Second, on local and international accreditation or certification, to be granted international certification (program-or institutional-based), to be granted institutional accreditation by the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) and the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) and/or other institutional certification such as International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The third to tenth agenda are as follows: to produce above national passing percentage in all licensure and bar examinations; to increase the ratio of faculty members with aligned master’s and doctorate degrees; to increase the total number of program offerings of undergraduate and graduate academic programs; to publish refereed research journals with increased faculty members’ research outputs and presentations and forged linkages with other research institutions; to increase local and international linkages with Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA); to increase administrators’ and faculty members’ involvement/membership in local and international associations and organizations; to achieve 100% involvement of stakeholders in community outreach and extension development; to increase the number of awards received in different academic competitions, sports, etc.; and to attain comprehensive learning resources and support structures.
Rev. Fr. Nemesio D. Tolentin, OAR, the College President, delivered his inspirational message. It was followed by a commitment signing of the entire Sebastinian community led by the Religious and Lay Administrators who signified their commitment for the realization of SSC-R Manila’s University Status.
