LEGAZPI CITY – Bicol University (BU) community officially welcomed its 9th president, Dr. Baby Boy Benjamin Nebres III, and bid goodbye to the former and 8th BU president Dr. Arnulfo Mascariñas, on Wednesday, March 8, at the Ricardo A. Arcilla Building of the university.
“Everything still feels surreal. I still feel like I am in an extended dream…The road to BU presidency began as a dream for me,” Nebres said in his speech.
Nebres was the former dean of the BU Office of Student Affairs and Services Office (OSAS) who won the votes of the Board of Regents during the election at the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in Diliman, Quezon City, last March 3.
Nebres envisions the institution as a university for humanity characterized by his vision paper rebranding the four pillars of the institution: productive scholarship, transformative leadership, collaborative service, and distinctive character for sustainable societies.
“We will build our dreams [sic] journey towards our vision and ensure an inclusive and sustainable Bicol University… Join me because the best always starts with you. Because BU is you, Bicol University is us,” he said.
Meanwhile, in his salutation and gratitude speech, Mascariñas thanked the BU community for the support during his administration and hope that he made happy memories during his term.
“Thank you very much. Dakula asin udok sa boot na pag-ogma asin pasasamalat sa indo gabos. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me,” Mascariñas said.
The welcome and send-off ceremony was attended by previous presidents, administrative staff and officers, guests, students, and teaching and non-teaching personnel of BU.
𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭
After the official ceremony, BUeños hope that the new president of the university will be able to establish the true transformational change and prioritize the welfare of the student body.
“Iyong overall welfare ng lahat ng sectors dito sa BU, mapakinggan lalo na ang mga sentiments ng mga students talaga… I expect na sa na [makikita] natin ang improvements throughout the new administration of Dr. Nebres,” Patrick Fabe Togano, a 3rd year Communication student said in an interview with Bicol.PH.
Meanwhile, Francisco Belaro, a 3rd year Social Work student, expects that Nebres will focus his services to the betterment of BU students.
“Sana lahat ng gawain niya ay para sa mga estudyante ng Bicol University. Alam naman natin na BU excels [in different fields] so sana ma-focus ang mga services ni [Pres. Nebres] sa mga estudyante,” he said.
However, Kyla Diana, a 1st year Education student majoring in Science hopes that the new administration will continue the legacy of the previous president. “Ipagpatuloy iyong magandang nagawa [ni Pres. Mascariñas], at sana mapa-improve niya (pa) ang Bicol University at sana magkaroon (pa) lalo ang mga estudyante ng freedom of speech,” she said. | Arvie Bediones, Nicole Frilles
Photos : God Frey Las Piñas