DLSU conducts annual GA, highlights transitions

DLSU President and Chancellor Br. Ricky Laguda FSC headed the University’s annual General Assembly entitled “Managing Transitions” which was held on Friday, May 30 at the Teresa G. Yuchengco Auditorium.

​Laguda started off his speech by remarking on his appointment as the General Councilor for the Pacific-Asia Regional Conference (PARC). “DLSU is bigger than any individual,” Laguda said, referencing himself. “It is because it survives transitions,” he added.

Modifying the core curriculum

​Laguda mentioned the changes made to the Lasallian Core Curriculum (LCC), the curriculum all students must take in addition to their major program, in line with the implementation of the K-12 program in primary and secondary schools. He said that the LCC is now focused on developing skills to transform students into hirable graduates.

​Aside from honing skills for the workplace, Laguda said that the LCC should enable students to follow the Expected Lasallian Graduate Attributes (ELGA), a set of qualifications graduates should be able to have acquired throughout their stay in the University. He said that ELGAs are mindsets for students to become better persons. He also mentioned that ELGAs should be able to let the students develop lifelong skills.

Molding the future

​Laguda posited the question, “How can one train for jobs that don’t exist yet?” He answered it by saying that DLSU should be a “future-proof” university. As such, it must be able to adapt to the needs of business that hire new graduates to the times. Also, he asserted, it must be faithful to the students, or responsive to what is needed by students.

​The concept of a “future-proof” university was complemented by the idea of an “invisible university,” a term coined by Laguda to reflect the University as a point in the exchange of knowledge and ideas. This, according to him, can be achieved through the use of the information technology systems and networking solutions.

​Furthermore, Laguda elaborated his plans for an “after sales relationship” with students after their studies in the University. He mentioned the introduction of short courses for alumni to hone present skills or to acquire new ones needed in the workplace, as well as after-school counseling to graduates. In the end, he strained the need for “lifelong partnerships with students and alumni” even after their studies.

Preparing for the ASEAN integration

​In line with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) University Network (AUN) integration, Laguda stressed the necessity of developing “faculty and student mobility” or increased emphasis on international exchanges. He said that the University’s vision and mission can be shared in the local, regional (ASEAN), and global perspectives. He also said that there should be exchanges with other Lasallian universities abroad. “Our future could create possibilities beyond,” he stated.

​In addition, Laguda highlighted the need to bridge faith and scholarship. He explained that Lasallian education should be able to transform society, especially the poor, here in the Philippines and beyond. This can be done through the “De La Salle way,” he stated, noting the Lasallian values of faith, service, and communion.

​Laguda ended his speech by thanking administrators, faculty, students, and staff for the success of the previous year, and prefaced the challenges ahead in line with transitions in the University. He quoted Saint John Baptist de La Salle in saying, “Lord, the work is yours.”

​Laguda’s speech was preceded by a mass officiated by Rev. Eduardo Paglinawan, Jr., SSS and was succeeded by a community salu-salo and the town hall-style meeting regarding the shift of the academic calendar.