College of Industrial Technology – Dr. Lorma M. Valera, food technology professor here, received the Crystal Service Award from the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) during the agency’s 25th Annual National Conference at the Manila Hotel, Feb. 20-22.

In his letter, Dr. Manuel T. Corpus, AACCUP executive director, said Valera is one of the few accreditors nationwide who received the award “in due recognition of their outstanding contribution to, or achievements in, the pursuit of quality accreditation of public higher education institutions (HEIs) for 15-19 years.”

“I only knew that such service award exists when Dr. Corpus sent the invitation. When the AACCUP secretariat requests me to render accreditation service and the [MMSU] administration approves, I am willing to go in the name of public service,” Valera modestly said. “I humbly dedicate this award to all public servants in the university,” she added.

Valera is a perennial accreditor along the industrial technology sector and related disciplines. Industrial technology programs of Benguet State University and Cagayan State University were her first accreditation assignments in 1993.

Dean Cesario Y. Pacis said that Valera is active in curricular program accreditations of HEIs. “As accreditor along industrial technology and appointed as college coordinator for program accreditations, she has the pulse of AACCUP’s standards,” said Pacis.

The award is an addition to Valera’s cornucopia of professional laurels. To name a few, she was cited in 1998 as one of the Most Outstanding Home Economics Teachers (College Level) by the Philippine Home Economics Association and among the 10 Most Outstanding Laoageños in 2010 for her outstanding accomplishments in education and research. Hailed as “Malunggay Queen” for her extensive studies and production of malunggay recipes, she is also a preferred resource speaker of the Department of Education on food fortification and human nutrition to address hunger and malnutrition problems among schoolchildren in public and private schools across the country.