Former CHED, DLSU head is new TCU president

MANILA, Philippines - A former president of the De La Salle University (DLSU) has been tapped to head the Taguig City University (TCU), in line with the city government’s effort to uplift the education system of one of the poorest local government run schools.

Speaking before students during his investiture rights recently, Bro. Rolando Dizon has expressed his commitment to excellence and vowed to make TCU at par with the prime universities in the country.

“It is the fulfillment of a dream to which I have devoted my whole life and that is to provide quality education to students who strive to free themselves from the dehumanizing clutches of poverty and give them dignity and self respect,” said Dizon, who is also a former chair of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

He also called on the students to help him fulfill this dream as they are the “best reflection” of TCU’s image.

Among Dizon’s short term plans include acquiring accreditation from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU) within five years and to be adjudged as among the best Philippine universities within 10 years.

“This is not an impossible dream. It only requires a commitment to excellence from all of you,” he said.

Dizon also asked the stakeholders to join him in his “quest for excellence” to come up with a set of quality teachers and improve TCU’s curriculum to prepare students for a competitive global market.

Students warmly welcomed by Dizon. A resounding “wow” filled the school’s auditorium as the new president’s credentials were read before them. 

Aside from Dizon, other heads of topnotch universities, such as University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, Assumption College, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and New Era University, have also been tapped to join TCU’s board of regents.

Gawad Kalinga chairman Antonio Meloto, who sits as TCU’s board chair, said this is a “first of a kind” that heads of warring schools will be setting aside “loyalties and royalties” for the benefit of the poor.

“We want to rise above our own loyalties and royalties. We want to show the country that it can be done,” Meloto said.

Meloto added that they brought together these school heads to bring elite education for free to those who have less in life.

“We want the best for the least,” Meloto said. He also expressed hope that in the next three years most of the school’s operational budget would be funded by the public sector.

Dizon and Meloto, meanwhile, assured that the rift between Cayetano and the allies of former Mayor and now Congressman Sigfrido Tinga will not affect the school’s funding.

“There will be no interference from politicians as far as TCU is concerned. The law provides that the city has to support the university,” Dizon said.