Lasallians are formed to become achievers for God and country. This holds true as more and more Lasallians join local and international competitions.
As representatives of DLSU, they often receive assistance, which include financial assistance, faculty mentorship, and insurance, depending on the nature of the competition. There are many ways students can receive assistance, but each has its own processes.
University Student Government (USG) President Cabe Aquino and her partner Ina Estrada, champions of the 8th Economix Competition hosted by the University of Indonesia, followed a formal process in obtaining financial assistance from the University.
In their case, the School of Economics (SOE) Dean and the Economics Department approved Aquino and Estrada’s entry. The SOE shouldered their travel and accommodation fees. They also sent requests for financial support to the Parents of University Students Organization (PUSO), which paid for their other expenses. The Economics Department also helped the pair improve their paper. The said competition called for papers about the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement.
The DLSU Eco Marathon Team composed of students from the Gokongwei College of Engineering (GCOE) also represented the University in the Shell Eco Marathon (SEM) Asia 2011, held in Malaysia. The team’s entry, a three-wheel electric vehicle named DLSU 100, placed 18th out of 97 competing teams.
Team member Andre Torres shares that the University and corporate partners funded their endeavor.
Assistance from the University is essential to the success of students in competitions; it also encourages students to garner accolades while representing DLSU.
Recognition and encouragement
Aside from providing financial assistance, the University recognizes students who have won competitions and the like.
The University awards medals and certificates to Lasallian achievers during the recognition rites, held every end of the term. The Animo Board, which shows pictures and information about the accomplishments of distinguished Lasallian students and faculty members, are also strategically located around the University.
Participating in competitions give students an avenue to apply theoretical principles learned in the classroom.
According to Bettina Enriquez, competitions also provide her with the necessary experience and knowledge to hone her skills. Enriquez is a member of the 2011 Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP) National Grand Prix Competition champion team.
Not without flaws
Despite the support from the University, many representatives still have difficulties, which include raising enough funds to start and continue their endeavor.
Torres admits that his team had difficulties in raising the needed funding. He also shares that they had difficulties in coordinating with the different University offices concerned with their application. He shares that these issues affected the project execution.
These are some of the problems that the University and the team are working on to prepare for next year’s competition. To address funding constraints, they see that gathering sponsorships from external organizations is the most viable solution.
In the area of athletics, DLSU’s Archery team president Fernando Zubiri laments that the University does not support them financially.
Aside from being an unpopular sport, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) does not recognize the sport. This deprives the team of common benefits athletes receive, which include scholarship assistance, insurance, and the like.
He furthers that the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman, and its counterparts in Los Baños and in Baguio, and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) provide their teams coaches and ranges to train. DLSU, on the other hand, only gave the team limited space on the 2nd floor of the Enrique Razon Sports Center to train.
The publicity of such endeavors and opportunities are also insufficient. Aquino explains that the efforts of the University is still insufficient because there are many opportunities students could participate in, if given adequate funding. “It has to be a partnership between the students and of the University in bridging opportunities to other people,” she furthers.
To inform potential achievers about competitions, the college deans and academic departments are taking the first steps by approaching deserving students.
