The Search for the next Isabela State University (ISU) President continued on February 28, 2025, as the candidates for the position gathered at the ISU Echague Amphitheater to present their respective visions and plans for the University.
All four (4) presidential hopefuls attended the event. The successful candidate will succeed the current University President, Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino, as the 7th President of the University and will assume office in June this year.
In accordance with Republic Act No. 8292 and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 7, series of 2022, the Search Committee for President (SCP), headed by Dr. Elsa P. Manarpaac, will assess the candidates based on their professional competence, academic background, performance in public forums and presentations, and the panel interview.
In her opening message, Dr. Manarpaac expressed her gratitude to the support of the offices of Dr. Marita R. Canapi (Commissioner, CHED), Dr. Aquino, and the working committees for the Public Forum and the Panel Interview.
The Candidates for Prexy
During the event, hosted by Dr. Ferdinand Bulusan (Director, Knowledge and Technology Management) which was also broadcasted live over the Official University Facebook Page, each candidate had 15 minutes to present their plans and programs.
Starting the presentations, Atty. Romano P. Cammayo (Vice President, Administrative and Finance Services) envisioned ISU as a university of transformative education adaptive to emerging technologies and innovative research responsive to local and global needs. When given the chance, he hoped to pursue this endeavor through ushering development toward smart and precision agriculture, research and development and extension innovation, transformative education, and sustainable environment and resilient communities.
On the other hand, Dr. Boyet L. Batang (Vice President, Academic Affairs) viewed ISU as a model SMART-Green University with a global reputation for positive societal transformation. He hopes to move forward as a university that develops lifelong and future-ready professionals empowered to become generators of knowledge and agents of positive change for the inclusive and sustainable transformation of communities.
Next was Engr. Alfonso R. Simon (Cluster Executive Officer, Ilagan Campus) who aimed to pursue ISU as an internationally recognized premier institution of higher learning in the ASEAN Region. According to Engr. Simon, this vision can be realized through institutionalizing sustainable programs on quality instruction, research, extension, production, partnerships, linkages, and collaborations to ensure quality service and academic excellence for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Lastly, Dr. Emerson V. Barcellano (Cluster Executive Officer, Cabagan Campus) set the goal of making ISU a globally competitive university, advancing excellence in research, innovation, and environmental stewardship in the Asia Pacific Region by 2032. He aspires to do this by cultivating responsible and competitive individuals and advancing sustainability through exceptional instruction, innovative research, proactive community engagement, strategic partnerships, and effective resource management.
Facing the ISU Community
After the candidates presented their plans for ISU, they went through an open forum, moderated by Assoc. Prof. Lorelei B. Agcanas (Faculty Member, ISU-E College of Arts and Sciences), where the aspirants were asked about their responses to the most important concerns faced by University constituents.
The open forum consisted of three (3) rounds where each nominee was given two (2) minutes to explain their answers and opinions. In the first round, questions were drawn from the five (5) sectors and were answered by all applicants. For the second round, each applicant selected one (1) question from the pool of sector-provided questions. For the third and final round, each applicant answered two (2) questions randomly taken from the audience.
Questions during the open forum revolved around platforms for student and faculty dialogues, plans for the non-teaching, alumni, and private sectors, as well as the overall management of the University. As sector representatives were present, the candidates outlined their visions and solutions to provided questions and problems.
Next for ISU
Dr. Aquino expressed words of affirmation to its students, faculty and staff, alumni, and external partners. He also assured that ISU will always stand strong with its commitment as a University for people, nature, entrepreneurship, and innovation; a university that remains steadfast in its service to the nation and the global community.
“As we look ahead, I firmly believe that the future of ISU is secured in the hands of great and capable leaders. The gentlemen before us today have embraced the challenge of leading our University, and for that, I commend them,” Dr. Aquino added.
Following the Public Forum, the SCP conducted a closed-door panel interview with the presidential candidates at the Office of the University President.
At the next ISU Board of Regents (BOR) meeting, its members will select the new University President, considering the SCP’s recommendations based on the public forum and the panel interview.
The capsuled curriculum vitae and vision papers of the candidates are available can be accessed at the Official University Facebook Page. The Public Forum was also live-streamed and can be viewed via the same platform.
