Welcome Statement

PNU Pres. Ester B. Ogena

MOVING TOWARD THE DREAM: AN 8-POINT AGENDA FOR ACTION

The wealth of human resources, strengths, and opportunities in our midst will define the strategic directions needed to transform the University into the NCTE. We will build on what we have, and augment what we lack, using innovative management processes and technologies that I know are available out there and are at our fingertips, if we search hard enough and capitalize on the tradition of excellence that already exists.

My commitment is to provide the strategic directions for PNU to facilitate the change it is expected to deliver and the impact it is called upon to make in the national and global arena. An 8-point agenda for action constitutes these strategic directions.

Our 8-Point Agenda for Action

1. Scholarship in Teaching

We will introduce innovative programs that will recognize PNU as the center for scholarship of teaching. This will involve strengthening PNU’s capacity for policy research for education, and research for instruction that covers content knowledge, general pedagogy and pedagogical content knowledge with the rigors required for scholarship of research. Thus, PNU will showcase research-based models of pedagogical approaches in the various disciplines. It shall therefore work on a Knowledge Management program that will guide its faculty and students to package such educational models as products worthy of replication and carry PNU’s brand of quality contributions to teaching in learning. The UBD or Understanding by Design and Kumon programs are examples of this. Corollary to this, PNU will establish an Intellectual Property unit to support its faculty and students in the pursuit of such mission.

2. Global Positioning

We will facilitate of PNU in the global map through collaborative programs in teacher education side by side with UNESCO, APEC-Education Network, ASEAN, SEAMEO Centers, and foreign agencies. We shall establish linkages with foreign universities and institutions in support of strengthening PNU’s academic and research programs which shall be benchmarked with international standard, establish its foothold as the country’s premier teacher education university and gain respect of the world community. The collaborative programs will include faculty and student exchange, joint research, on-line lectures, among others.

We will develop and pursue a research agenda on teacher and basic education which will position PNU prominently in the national discussion on education reforms and develop a network of teacher education institutions, initially in ASEAN, with PNU as focal point for knowledge and resource sharing. Correspondingly, we will develop in PNU a culture of excellence (both in Teaching and Research). We will collaborate with local and foreign universities for enhancing PNU’s capability to improve its academic and research programs and extend PNU’s services to other institution. We shall work out a system for having for seasoned researchers to mentor others to develop a pool of competent faculty and staff of the university and build a capacity for sustainable foundation of excellence in teacher education. To achieve this, we shall identify the capable ones in research to lead others through project team efforts.

3. Developing Human Capital

We will prepare a plan to develop the University’s Human Capital (Faculty, Administrative Staff, Students) to ensure the foundation of quality and excellence in Teacher Education. The components of this plan will consist of the following:

• For the faculty, we shall develop alternative/innovative approaches for all PNU campuses to create a pool of PhDs in all areas of specializations from nationally and globally recognized institutions. We shall also look for opportunities for post-graduate studies for faculty members and revitalize sabbatical leave for faculty members to enrich their technical competence, do full time-research, write books or have other technical outputs.

• For the administrative staff, we shall provide for customized training to equip them with appropriate skills and competencies needed in the performance of their tasks. We shall likewise provide them opportunities to pursue graduate studies.

• For the students, as I have studied the PNU budget for the last 5 years, I can say with confidence that there shall also be no tuition fee increases that will hurt the large majority of student population. In addition, we shall provide for scholarships and tuition fee discounts for both merit and the socially and economically needy students. We shall also secure more student scholarships with regional representation for the main campus and provincial representation for the local campuses. Moreover, other forms of students support will be developed (like food and transportation support) to benefit the needy students.

Finally, I promise that I shall provide for efficient and effective governance that includes not only the welfare of the students but also of the faculty and administrative staff. And for this, I would welcome a CAN with them. Those who have finished their graduate degrees shall be recognized and provided incentives every end of the calendar year. We shall also explore the possibility of an economic leave of the faculty and staff to allow them to provide for the needs of their families.

4. Establishing a PNU System

We will improve our presence and strengthen our impact by designating the PNU campuses as major teacher education hubs in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Thus, the Isabela campus shall be known as PNU Northern Luzon, the Quezon campus as PNU Southern Luzon, the Cadiz campus as PNU Visayas and the Agusan campus as PNU Mindanao with PNU Manila as the Main Campus. Each of these supra-regional campuses must have the opportunity to sit down in the Regional Development Councils (RDCs) where they will have an opportunity to understand the needs and contexts, reach out to potential local supporters, and assert their leadership in teacher education. Each of these campuses must develop their “niches” or specialized programs and maximize their resources for a favorable learning environment in nurturing future teachers and educational leaders.

The PNU Campuses, with the support of the PNU leadership, shall be the champions of the PNU-NCTE for educational transformation in the regions. They shall likewise initiate collaborations with universities in the regions for planning and developing the pool of highly competent teachers and educators in critical fields of specialization. They will play a key role in forging regional partnerships with stakeholders and funding institutions for the benefit of their faculty, students and employees. A corresponding legislation transforming the campuses as part of a PNU system will be requested to be supported by Congress.

As an education hub, we shall encourage the development of a healthy intellectual environment where the faculty and students, with the participation of significant experts and stakeholders in education, can freely discuss issues of national importance especially where PNU is expected to articulate a single stand.

5. PNU Modernization Plan

We will develop the PNU modernization plan, at the soonest time possible, that covers all PNU campuses to pursue the mandate of the National Center for Teacher Education. This will cover the following:

• Modernizing PNU facilities and systems to be attuned to 21st century academic environment thru optimum use of technology to promote efficiency, relevance, and responsiveness. This will include the provision for e-learning facilities, an e-library, and e-services for enrollment, maintenance of student records, project monitoring, financial services, procurement and others as part of a comprehensive management system.

• Revitalizing the Center for Teaching and Learning, which is an important unit of any teacher education, institution, the Speech Laboratory, the Theater Arts and the Statistics and Date Center.

• Improving the Student Center, Medical and Dental Services, the Canteen, toilets and other university facilities.

6. Resource generation Thru Partnership and Collaboration

My Administration will strive to widen linkages, forge bilateral and multi-lateral agreements to generate and optimize resources and explore new funding mechanisms in support of university programs. We shall develop a Resource Generation and Mobilization Plan for all the PNU campuses. We shall articulate our needs to funding institutions, both from the government and private sectors, including the university’s alumni, so that they will see PNU as their partner in performing their tasks for nation building, On this, we shall develop the capability of the faculty and administrative staff in all fields and all campuses to prepare project proposals for funding institutions.

7. Leadership in Education Reform

PNU shall initiate and implement pioneering and complementary reform efforts. Likewise PNU’s efforts on policy studies shall provide basis for national policy and decision making in Philippine Education. It shall harness the university’s efforts in realizing the Philippine Education Sector Reform Agenda and specifically advocate for teacher education sector reform agenda. Correspondingly, it shall develop PNU Sustainability Plan to generate adequate resources for the university. In addition, the university shall be the leader in education for mainstreaming social reform agenda such as gender mainstreaming and practices that promote environmental protection.

8. Application of New Management Technologies

We will reform the planning and budgeting process to reflect the needs of the instructional, research and technical services of all PNU campuses to strengthen the management of PNU systems-wide.

We will improve our resource generation strategies and develop an over-all Resource Generation and Mobilization Plan with inputs from academic community and partners, it is important to consider the following strategies for resource generation:

• Tapping resources from the private sector for scholarships to students and faculty, support for equipment and capital outlay taking note that they will also benefit from supporting PNU under the “Adopt-a-School Program” law.

• Tapping the slots for foreign scholarships under the care of CHED and the foreign embassies in the Philippines to support faculty development for advanced degrees and sandwich program, faculty and student exchange and staff training.

• Tapping the existing international protocol agreements and understanding in education of the Department of Foreign Affairs with foreign government and requesting the inclusion of PNU among the beneficiaries and preparing relevant proposals.

• Tapping international organizations like UNESCO, UNICEF, ASEAN, APEC, SEAMEO, British Council, JICA, JSPS, KOSEF, among others for support to relevant programs that aim to build PNU’s capacity and international standing in the world community of universities.

• Requesting and negotiating with DepEd, CHED, DOST, DENR, CICT, DILG, local government units and other government agencies for funding support through appropriate program proposals for funding. For example, we can request DOST to allow and fund PNU for the development of content materials in all subject areas for basic education, in collaboration with DepEd, which will be inputted to the tablet PC model that is being developed by the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute. The tablet PC which will be a Filipino made and pioneering computer gadget to aid learning in public schools will carry the PNU developed e-books that are intended to revolutionize the way students learn.

• Requesting funding support from the PDAF and CI of senators and congressman, especially from the regions and districts that would benefit their constituencies, for institutional support and scholarships. The legislators will likewise be requested to initiate a legislative measure creating a scholarship fund to students who will be identified based on merit and equity.

• Generate resources from the management fees of programs and research activities implemented in collaboration with funding institutions.

• Generate resources from the conduct of review classes for takers of the Licensure Examination for Teachers.

• Generate resources from donations of alumni, companies and other individuals to support scholarships, professorial chair, and facilities improvement through the creation of the PNU-NCTE Foundation.

• Utilize the website of PNU and the PNU-NCTE Foundation to provide a mechanism for receiving donations online from sources.