CatSU President Azanza: Championing Education for Catanduanes State University

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CatSU President Azanza: Championing Education for Catanduanes State University

Catanduanes State University (CatSU) is the lone higher education institution serving the island province of Catanduanes, Philippines. Amidst its numerous challenges, including infrastructural limitations, increased student enrollment, and budget constraints, the university's president, Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza has been a tireless advocate for the institution's growth and success.

In a recent Facebook post, Dr. Azanza shared the plight of CatSU as it grapples with the consequences of limited infrastructure and funding. The institution is currently facing a budget deficit of almost 54 million pesos for free tuition fees due to low allocations from Congress. Despite the pressing need for additional classrooms, the university's 85-million-peso request for repairing classrooms damaged by Typhoon Rolly remains unapproved.

Dr. Azanza acknowledges that some past university officials may have mismanaged infrastructure budgets and engaged in corrupt practices. However, he highlights that, under his leadership, the situation has changed dramatically. The university has completed 17 previously unfinished infrastructure projects, garnering praise from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) during a technical budget hearing.

With CatSU having an impressive track record, topping board exams in Engineering, Nursing, and Education, Dr. Azanza's commitment to the university's students is evident in his efforts to ensure their safety and learning environment. He has been resourceful in making the most of available spaces, and has even gone so far as to install benches and jazz up certain areas to create suitable learning environments.

Dr. Azanza's plea to Congress is to prioritize CatSU in the allocation of infrastructure budgets, acknowledging the university's unique position as the only higher education institution on the island. With many students unable to afford studying in the mainland due to high living expenses, CatSU remains their only option for pursuing higher education.

The passionate and dedicated leadership of Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza has made significant strides in transforming CatSU, even amidst financial and infrastructural constraints. His unrelenting efforts to advocate for a fair and equitable allocation of budgets among State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) have not gone unnoticed. With the support of the DBM, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and Congress, CatSU can continue to provide quality education to the residents of Catanduanes, ensuring that no student is left behind.

Dr. Azanza’s Visionary Approach for Global Impact

One of the pressing issues faced by CatSU and many other state universities is the deficit in funding for free higher education tuition. Currently, the university's deficit is at PHP 17 million, and if left unaddressed, it is estimated to rise to PHP 54 million. In response to this challenge, Dr. Azanza and other state university presidents are actively seeking ways to secure the necessary budget allocation.

Dr. Azanza acknowledged that securing funds is a crucial part of his role as the university president. He revealed that as of now, CatSU has a total budget of close to PHP 1 billion for 2023, with a proposed budget of PHP 1.4 billion for 2024. This increase signifies a doubling of the university's budget during his term and highlights the potential for economic growth and job generation for the island's residents.

Another significant development at CatSU is the focus on internationalization. Dr. Azanza envisions putting CatSU on the world map, enabling students and faculty to access scholarships abroad and ensuring that graduates have better job prospects globally. He emphasized that the university's internationalization efforts come at no additional cost to the institution, as he personally covers travel, hotel, and food expenses for international meetings.

Dr. Azanza's dedication to transparency and his commitment to enhancing the campus experience, expanding opportunities, and elevating CatSU's global presence serve as a testament to his visionary leadership. The president's approach has the potential to make a lasting impact on the university and the entire Catanduanes community.  #FJBT