MPSPC prexy is new Apayao college head

LUNA, Apayao – The Board of Trustees of the Apayao State College, the first State-owned higher education institution in the province, unanimously elected Dr. Nieves A. Dacyon, the outgoing president of the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, as its new head starting Dec. 1.

          

With a vote of 10-0, Dacyon was chosen by the BOT to succeed Dr. Zacharias Baluscang whose term as ASC president will end by the end of this month.

           

“It is nice to work with the leaders and people of Apayao who are proven to be sincere and passionate over the quality of education to be given to the youth,” Dacyon said after learning that she was unanimously chosen by the BOT to be the next ASC president considering that she will be ending her two-year term at MPSPC by April next year.

Initially, Dacyon’s vision for ASC was for it to become a recognized quality  higher educational institution in the far north that is responsive to rural development.

Dacyon will convene an extensive planning workshop conference among the key stakeholders of ASC and to review and update its existing plans, undergo SWOT analysis and align plans with the provincial, regional and national development plans/ thrusts and programs for the purpose of maximizing resources and attaining common development directions at all levels with development partners.

Based on records from the National Economic Development Authority, Apayao province is the most remote province of CAR and is one among the 20 poorest provinces in the country having a high poverty incidence.  

However, according to the NEDA 2011-2016 development framework report, Apayao is a highly potential province in terms of land area and resources. It   could be an extraordinary destination that could offer unique discoveries and lifetime experiences like any other province of CAR if not even better, because of its innate opportunities if developed to the fullest.

She said in addition to quality, there’s a need to improve access and equity to higher education opportunities for students.

“Enhancing internal management effectiveness and productivity must, therefore, be considered critical component of ASC’s development strategies in its soon to be crafted development plan,” she said, citing that all sectors have their respective homework to do in order to continue the development thrust of the institution.

To sustain its growth as one of the premier State-run higher education institutions in the North, ASC shall Produce quality and accountable graduates who are responsive to rural and sustainable development; Advance relevant research and extension work to facilitate the growth and development of the college and of its service areas as it gradually become self- reliant and Pursue indigenous peoples development models along resource management, culture and the arts.

Dacyon appealed to local leaders and stakeholders to cooperate and put to action the appropriate strategies to be crafted in bringing ASC to greater heights and be instrumental in the further growth of the province.