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Featuring its journey towards a notch above, Palawan State University marked another milestone during the celebration of its 25th Year Anniversary last Tuesday, November 12, with the theme, “PSU @ 25: Responding to the Challenges of Education 4.0.”
Representing the whole PSU community, all officials, together with the students, faculty and staff were united for the commemoration of the university’s 25 years of rendering quality service and accessible education to all, empowering the role of the youth, and highlighting the importance of interactive leadership that benefits the common good – as what the university’s list of Core Values ordains.
PSU in the Past 25 Years
Despite its prominence today, Palawan State University had a rough yet humble onset as Palawan Teacher’s College (PTC), a training institution primarily for teachers that started operating on March 2, 1972 before it was recognized as Palawan State College (PSC) in 1984.
After a decade, exactly on the 12th of November, year 1994, by the virtue of Republic Act 7818, an act converting the Palawan State College into a state university, PSC had taken up another step towards the peak of its success as it has finally emerged as the premier institute of higher learning in the whole province of Palawan being promoted as Palawan State University, and by then, the 25 year journey began.
Today, the university has been accommodating students in its 19 municipality campuses all over Palawan including its main Campus in Puerto Princesa City with roughly 16,000 enrollees, faculty and staff.
PSU @ 25: University Day Celebration
Footloose and fancy-free, the PSU community had a one-day breather from such tiring paper works and requirements for school as they were able to spend some time with their co-workers, their fellow schoolmates.
As early as five in the morning, a motorcade from Puerto Princesa City Baywalk to PSU main campus started the day of celebration. It was followed right away by a tree planting activity held inside the school premises, intended for a greener and livelier ambiance of the campus.
A thanksgiving service at the PSU gymnasium was offered and since PSU community has been growing bigger and bigger ever since, lots of new establishments around the campus were venerated.
University President Dr. Ramon M. Docto extended his gratitude to the people who have worked hard before long, up until now, and also for the students who have put a great deal of patience and cooperation to the university administration during the 25th Year Anniversary opening ceremony held at the university gymnasium.
“Nakita natin yung challenges at yung pag taas ng ating unibersidad. Sinasabi ko nga na, hindi man tayo perfect, but when we look at it, maraming bisitang pumupunta rito sa atin, maraming nag be-benchmark, sinasabi na, ang gaganda ng ating mga facilities. So, palakpakan natin yung PSU, tayo po ay natutuwa sapagkat, with the help of everyone, tayong lahat ay nagimprove, naging unibersidad tayo at umabot ng 25 years,” Docto stated.
Atty. David A. Ponce de Leon, former Congressman and Vice Governor of Palawan, who had played a huge part in the conversion of Palawan State College into Palawan State University, rendered a message of appreciation for everyone who makes up the whole PSU community for being excellent throughout the year and perceptive to more years to come.
“There are people who will say that converting a college to a state university is an easy task, I would say that it is easier said than done. It is not just the work of a person, but divine intervention. I am proud of this institution,” Ponce de Leon said.
After having a satiating boodle fight for lunch, friendship games for the students and employees were administered in every college. While GSIS GFAL 2 (GSIS Financial Assistance Program) loan and financial literacy seminars for regular employees were conducted at the College of Arts and Humanities Audio-Visual Hall.
Finally, to end the day right and to further feel the Christmas vibe on campus, the University Student Government (USG) facilitated the first-ever Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
USG President Mr. Elijah Daniel Geanga congratulated everyone for the success of the first-ever university Christmas Tree. He also interpreted its symbolism and connection to the 25-year journey of the institution. “Ang ating Christmas lighting ceremony ay inspired ng pilak na disenyo. Ang pilak na nagsisimbulo ng tibay at kaningningan. Pagtuloy ang pagtatag ng Palawan State University sa pamamagitan ng kanilang external services, at quality education na ibinibigay nito sa mag-aaral ng PSU. Patuloy ang pagniningning ng PSU sa buong Palawan, buong region 4-B, buong Pilipinas at maging sa buong mundo,” Geanga said.
Forthwith, as the PSU singers sang their own rendition of the song “Munting Sanggol”, the first-ever Christmas tree on campus was illuminated with different bright, flickering colors, chiming with the crowd’s yell and applause.
As what President Docto is certain about, PSU’s progress will not be laid into stagnancy, yet it will still glide through the trek of betterment – to achieve greater heights for greater opportunities towards a greater quality of living.
