Benguet State University and Dr. Rogelio D. Colting
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On July 1, 2003, Dr. Rogelio D. Colting’s term as President of Benguet State University began. He set a ten-point agenda for the University concerning academic programs and instruction, research and development, extension services and outreach, resource generation program, administration and governance, information communication technology, human resource development and personnel welfare, student services and welfare program, culture and arts program, disaster and emergency program and security. The details of his ten-point agenda can be accessed at http://www.bsu.edu.ph/aboutus/op/ten. In tribute to the former University President, here are some highlights of University milestones during his term. His advocacy to organic agriculture has trail blazed major activities in the University such as the First Cordillera Organic Agriculture Congress on January 13-14, 2006 as one of the activities during the 20th Charter Day Celebration. The purpose of the congress was well captured in what a journalist wrote: |
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"The gathering was not meant to be just another congress on organic agriculture. The participants and the speakers did not just hear each from other. Foremost, they wanted the Cordillera to shift from chemical-based agricultural production to organic farming to produce safe and competitive agricultural products for both local and international markets. Because of the support and acceptance for the promotion of organic farming, BSU intends to annually conduct a congress as a venue for organic farming enthusiasts and experts to share their experiences and expertise. Farmers, Government Institutions Unite to Promote Organic Farming in Cordillera." http://www.agribusinessweek.com The program’s framework is premised on the Organic Certification on Center of the Philippines (OCCP)definition on organic agriculture, which is: “the use of agricultural methods and practices that are considered to be ecologically sound and sustainable.” Inspired by this mantra, the BSU-OAP aims to achieve the following: produce organically grown crops for consumers, generate technologies that promote long term productivity of farms, develop a market for organically grown crops and produce graduates who will support the organic agriculture industry. In the following years, the Organic Market and the Cordillera Organic Agriculture Development Center was launched. BSU produced coffee and some vegetables now boast of being certified by the Institute of Marketecology, an international organic agriculture certifying body and the Organic Certificate on Center of the Philippines. Aside from this developments, organic agriculture as one specialization in the degree BS in Agriculture was also offered along with Master of Science in Agro-ecology with specialization in Organic Agriculture at the BSU-Open University in partnership with the ICRISAT. In the context of sustainable development along Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Resources, BSU continues to explore avenues where organic agriculture will see promotion. Dr. Colting’s other prime focus is the students first policy. Supports to students’ activities were given. The campus press was given full freedom to express the sentiments of the students, there was no censorship. In return students continued to perform well in TAYO, TOSP, AYALA Youth, Press Conferences and others. Various partnerships with local, national and international institutions have been formed to provide an avenue for BSU to gain support for its extension services and outreach, students and constituency. Some of these partners include the Asia Vegetable Research and Development Center, Australian Center for Agricultural Research, Australian International Language Academy, Southern Cross International Learning Institute, Centro International De La Papa, In Went Organization, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, Soka University, Plastro Company, ARAVA International Center for Agricultural Training and many more. Locally, BSU partnered with CHED, CICT, Figaro Foundation, HARRDEC, SUCs, NFA, media organizations, farmer’s associations, LGUs, NGOs and private universities for projects ranging from technology commercialization to livelihood projects. One example is the strawberry runner production through tissue culture. This provided local farmers with disease-free strawberry runners eventually earning it the Best HEI Extension Program award from CHED in 2010. BSU also served as a Nodal Center on ICT Development. The Intellectual Property Rights Office was also established in 2003 to safeguard technologies developed in the University from piracy. Likewise, the formation of the University Public Affairs Office in 2005 contributed to increased number of visitors to the University promoting agro-tourism and improved the packaging of BSU-related information for prospect partners, clients and students. The International Language Center was launched to accommodate the increasing number of foreign students.> The University Library became the first library in North Luzon to fully automate library services adopting the Follet Library Integrated Software and in 2006. In 2007, BSU got the highest over-all Annual Performance Rating (APR) among SUCs in CAR according to the Annual Report of the Department of Budget and Development (DBM) and eventually attained SUC level IV under the Commission on Higher Education on the same year. On Dr. Colting’s last years as BSU President, the Center for Culture and the Arts and then the BSU-CCA Historical Museum was established. This manifested his support to culture and Indigenous Knowledge. Dr. Colting once said, “The milestones we have achieved in the areas of instruction, research, extension and governance are made possible through the concerted efforts of more than 500 faculty and staff that run this University with passion…we also owe our achievements to our students, alumni and all other stakeholders as individuals or institutions. For these, we are very grateful to them.” |
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