Dr. Alegria T. Visaya, University and Board secretary, participated in the 11th Annual and 1st International Conference of the Philippine Association of Board Secretaries of State Colleges and Universities (PABSSCU) on April 25-30, 2011. Co-sponsored by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the conference had for its theme “Board Secretaries Going Global for Excellence”.

In the Singapore leg of the conference, Dr. Fong Aik Meng, Senior Consultant of the Nanyang Polytechnic International (NYPi) briefed the group of 60 PABSSCU members on the history, VMGO and programs of NYPi. The participants were brought on a tour to the campus especially to its highly-equipped laboratories. Of note are the institution’s linkages with industry whereby companies bring their problems and needs to the Polytechnic via research grants for professors and their student assistants who earn while they learn and thus become industry-ready upon graduation.

In the local phase of the conference which was held at Hotel Stotsenberg at the Clark Economic Zone in Angeles City and which was hosted by the Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University in Pampanga, Dr. Visaya was elected as PABSSCU Director for Region I.

The local conference was keynoted by CHED Chair Patricia B. Licuanan. The four Commissioners – Dr. Nenalyn P. Defensor, Dr. William C. Medrano, Dr. Nona S. Ricafort, and Dr. Hadja Luningning Misuarez-Omar – expounded their views and expectations on the role of board secretaries toward upgrading their competences for improved SUC policy formulation and governance.

Special topics were on Complete Staff Work (CSW) and Paperless Board Meetings toward excellent board meeting procedures and practices. The paperless board meeting presentations focused on the experiences of the Bataan Peninsula State University, West Visayas State University, Negros Oriental State University, and Pampanga Agricultural College.