CatSU President Azanza: Championing Education for Catanduanes State University
AdministrationCatanduanes 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
