In a grand ceremony brimming with honoring heritage and excellence, Samar State University (SSU) inaugurated its new University President today, February 13, 2025 at the SSU Maceda Gymnasium. The University’s fourth president, Dr. Redentor S. Palencia, gave his inaugural address guided by his vision for academic excellence and strong leadership.
“The Honorable Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Chair of the Board of Regents of Samar State University, Dr. Marita R. Canapi, the Most Reverend Isabelo Abarquez, the Bishop of Calbayog, the Honorable Sharee Ann Tan, Governor of the Province of Samar, the Regional Director of the Commission on Higher Education RO VIII, Dr. Maximo C. Aljibe, the Regional Director of the Department of Science and Technology RO 8, Dr. Glenn Ocaña, the Regional Director of the National Economic Development Authority RO 8, Ma’am Meylene C. Rosales, the Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture RO 8, Dr. Andrew Rodolfo T. Orais, distinguished Presidents from the different Higher Education Institutions in the country
- Victor C. Cañezo, Jr. of BiPSU and the PASUC 8 President
- Nigel Cornejo of Catbalogan City Community College
- Andres Pagatpatan of ESSU
- Dennis De Paz of EVSU
- Evelyn B. Aguirre of LNU
- Benjamin L. Pecayo of NwSSU
- Dennis Del Pilar of PIT
- Rhett Ceasar Piczon of Samar Colleges
- Sister Ma. Adelaida C. Huiso, RVM of SMCC
- Sister Cicelle Marie Lim, RSM of Holy Infant College
- Geraldine De Jesus of Sorsogon State University
- Jude A. Duarte of SLSU
- Cherry I. Ultra of UEP
- Prose Ivy G. Yepes of VSU
To my predecessors of this University
- Marilyn D. Cardoso and her husband Dr. Alex Cardoso
- Eusebio T. Pacolor and his wife Ma’am Nenita Pacolor
- Simon T. Babalcon, Jr. and his wife Ma’am Erlinda Babalcon
The Honorable Members of the SSU-Board of Regents, the Honorable Mayors of the Municipality of Paranas and Basey, Heads of Office of the different National Government Offices, The LGU Leaders of Guindapunan, Mercedes, and Bunu-anan.
The Samar State University Officials, the Vice-President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Felisa E. Gomba, the Vice-President for Administration and Finance, Engr. Ma. Lourdes P. Amante, the Vice-President for Research and Extension, Engr. Mirador G. Labrador, the Vice-President for Student Affairs and Services, Dr. Gina U. Españo, College Deans, Campus Directors, Directors, Unit Heads, the Retirees, the Members of the Alumni Association, dearest Faculty Members, Support Staff, Student-Leaders, my immediate Family Members – my wife Vinicia and children – Kevin, Yanni, Renee, my father Miguel Palencia and sister Michelle, other family members, friends, visitors, ladies and gentlemen, MAUPAY NGA AGA HA ATON NGATANAN, GOOD MORNING TO US ALL!
Anchored on our vision that reads “A transformative University committed to technology, innovation, and service excellence.,” Samar State University has for its mantra “We innovate. We build. We serve.” From this inspiration, we have our Big Picture that is “to be one of the top 200 universities in Asia by 2040. This Vision / or the Big Picture of the University is in response to our CALLING as higher learning institutions. HEIs, like SSU, are created to be partners of the government for national development. The challenge does not stop there, on top of the increasingly competitive scenarios among higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country, WE AT SSU must respond to the pressing demands of HEIs – digital transformation, student well-being, hybrid/blended instructional delivery, climate change and sustainability, applied learning and employability and many others.
Wala nang atrasan ‘to. We commit ourselves to achieving our BIG PICTURE – to becoming one of the top 200 universities in Asia 15 years from now. As SSU established its FIRSTS and FUNDAMENTALS by my dear predecessors, we are ALL challenged to CONTINUE THE BIG PICTURE. Undeniably, it is a BIG SHOE to fill. In the name of SERVICE complemented with FAITH and GOOD INTENTIONS, I TAKE THE CHALLENGE TO BE PART OF THIS NOBLE JOURNEY of SSU.
This is why; this INVESTITURE CEREMONY is anchored on the theme “SOWING THE SEED OF HERITAGE OF EXCELLENCE.” Inspired by the PARABLE OF THE MUSTARD SEED in the Bible, that whatever we sow, no matter how small “like that of a mustard seed” if it is excellently nurtured, it will definitely become a sturdy tree someday. Just like an “ounce” of effort we give and exert for the betterment of the University, no matter how small, if it is done with good intention, it will become milestone someday.
Being the “torch bearer” of the University, I have envisioned of making SSU as “A leading University recognized as the innovation corridor, center of global education, and the forefront of social transformation.” Through this, Samar State University shall provide quality and inclusive education, impactful and cutting-edge research and innovation, and influential community partnerships and collaborations for sustainable development.
To achieve these, four development goals are set as such: 1) Cultivating Progressive Instruction and Learning; 2) Accelerating research and Innovation Initiatives; 3) Strengthening Community Partnership and Collaboration; and 4) Transforming Leadership and Governance.
Each goal has Strategic Actions to be undertaken.
Along Cultivating Progressive Instruction and Learning: Progressive instruction and learning make students lifelong global learners where they are honed as problem solvers, critical thinkers, innovators, and collaborators. This goal will be anchored on this framework – the Student Focused Excellence. Adopting the Philippine Quality Award mechanism, the framework shall be within the circle of control along the Development Goals and the Process Aspects (Leadership, Customer, Knowledge Management, Strategy, Operation, and Workforce). The measure of success is based on Results (Customer Results, Strategy Results, Leadership and Governance Results, Product and Process, and Workforce Results).
On Accelerated Research and Innovation Initiatives: One of the primary functions of the university is to establish a functional, responsive, and sustainable research and development programs. These R&D programs should ensure alignment with the development agenda of its locality and that of the national (AMBSIYON NATIN 2040) and the global arena (SDGs). As such, SSU needs to adopt accelerated research and innovation initiative. This is by making SSU as an Innovation Corridor in this part of the country. With SSU as Innovation Corridor, it will be the CENTER OF HIGH-END INNOVATION IN THE COUNTRY AND THE ASEAN REGION. WE WILL ESTABLISH AN INNOVATION VILLAGE DUBBED AS “TUKLAS (Technology-Driven, Universal, Knowledge Accelerator, Lifelong Learning, Adaptive to Change, Sustainable) VILLAGE.” It will be adopting the INTEGRATED GOVERNANCE APPROACH where we will mobilize INNOVATION ACTORS from the University, LGUs, industry, Peoples Organizations, Non-government organizations, and others.
On Goal 3 – Strengthening Impactful Community Partnership and Collaboration: Another vital role of SSU is on responding to the needs of its locality. As an outgrowth of its research and development programs through its ten Research Centers, we shall introduce influential and impactful Extension Programs. Samples of these projects are the following:
Project Triple L (Last, Least, Lost)
Extension projects for the victims of violence, the prisoners, the mendicants, sex laborers, the elderly, the persons with disabilities, etc.
Project Ikaw Pag-Asa (IP)
Extension projects for the Indigenous People.
Project Sagip Buhay-Dagat
Extension projects for fisherfolks on marine life preservation and sustainability.
Project Unawa
Extension projects for mentally/psychologically challenged individuals.
Project Tuklas
Extension projects to strengthen the creative work and innovation of communities.
Project Aral
Extension projects for people empowerment through training courses and programs
Along Goal 4 – Transforming Leadership and Governance: Transformative leadership is key to organizational success. Strategic actions concerning this goal is on leading a Systems Perspective Principles through leveling up quality assurance endeavors.
From our vision of establishing TUKLAS Village (as innovation corridor) in the country complemented with global education structures, influential and impactful collaboration and partnerships, TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE SAMAR STATE UNIVERSITY AS THE FOREFRONT OF SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION.
“Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks,” a powerful Biblical line in the Gospel of Luke. Your very presence in this momentous event in my life makes me so honored and humbled. THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR GRACING THIS SIGNIFICANT EVENT. Your presence also embodies your unwavering commitment and support to Samar State University. A MILLION THANKS to the Chair and Members of the SSU-Board of Regents, to my SSU-Family – officials, faculty, and students, to our partners and collaborators, to my co-leaders from the different SUCs and HEIs, to my mentors, my friends and of course my “wind beneath my wings”- my family, and to all who support Samar State University, and of course above all, to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of life, and the source of inspiration and courage.
TO my SSU FAMILY, EACH ONE IS A CAST IN LIFE’S STAGE PLAY. Shakespeare said “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.”
LET’S DO OUR PART…OUR CALLING…OUR PURPOSE. TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE SAMAR, EASTERN VISAYAS, and the PHILIPPINES THE FOREFRONT OF TRANSFORMATION.
In SSU… SAMA-SAMANG UUNLAD as WE INNOVATE, BUILD, and SERVE.
God bless us all!
(Writer/Contributor: Shirelyn Sapetin | The Builders)