Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), Dr. Julie Hope Timotea Evina, was elected last night by the Board of Regents (BOR) of the Western Philippines University (WPU) as the new president.
Dr. Evina is the 3rd university president of WPU and will serve a four-year term. She was selected over the other applicants—-Dr. Lota Creencia and Dr. Romeo Lerom—all from WPU.
The incoming president was already sworn into office by CHED Commissioner and WPU BOR Chairman of the Board Perfecto Alibin around 10:00PM right after the election.
She will replace outgoing president, Dr. Elsa Manarpaac, who has served WPU for eight years and will retire on Feb. 22.
Evina, apart from being the current VPAA, also served as former dean of the College of Education, assistant dean of the Graduate School, and principal of the Agricultural Science High School of WPU.
Meanwhile, during the conduct of “Public Forum for the Presidential Candidates” last Feb. 10, Dr. Evina answered “No!” when asked about their opinion on mining. Her two contenders likewise answered the same.
And to the question, “What will be your leadership focus for the first 100 days of presidency?” she said “[I] will review our (WPU) strategic plan, [and of] think of ways on how to increase the budget.”
She also said “No!” when asked on what her take on the idea on transferring the WPU main campus to the City of Puerto Princesa. “WPU was established by law and the main campus was in [the Municipality of] Aborlan, even before the establishment of the City,” her answer as posted on the Facebook Page of Western Philippines University.
And on the issue of declining licensure exams passers, Dr. Evina said that she will address the issue through strict implementation of the retention policies, implementing bridging programs, hiring teachers with required competencies and giving the students comprehensive exams.
Other questions asked to the candidates were: what are their concrete plans to ensure that the faculty could support the vision of the university, what will be their specific strategy to increase the budget utilization ratio, and how they could address bullying among employees.