ILOILO CITY (PIA) – The West Visayas State University (WVSU) administration has recognized the need for the institution to be a “full research university” for its students to be more competent to the demands of the world.
WVSU president Dr. Joselito Villaruz emphasized this during his state of the university address on January 28, 2025, noting that it would create more substantial long-term benefits for the students and the university.
“Where are we going? What preferred future do we envision? The transformation into a research university is essential and non-negotiable. While complete transformation may still be on the horizon, the long-term benefits will be substantial,” he said during his message at the WVSU Cultural Center.
Villaruz noted that WVSU already made significant stride in research, as evident on the achievements the institution received, such as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Awards for Research and being have included among the Top 100 universities in the Philippines by Edu Rank, based on research outputs, academic prominence, and alumni influence.
“Teaching and learning initiatives remain our primary research area, reflecting our sustained commitment to educational progress. Our research activity has remained healthy, with a peak in 2023, where we completed 279 projects, exceeding 226 in 2022. In 2024, research output continued robustly with 274 projects,” he added.
Meanwhile, the president likewise highlighted the administration’s plan of enhancing its health profession programs with the addition of Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology in WVSU Janiuay Campus, and the West Visayas State University Expedited Select Track for Medicine (WESTMed) program in the Main Campus, serving as an accelerated pathway for the medical program.
“This is actually a recommendation from the Office of the President and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). CHED will give us a P40 million grant to start the program but since the facilities are already tight and maximized at the main campus, so we will be offering it at the Janiuay campus,” Villaruz explained in a separate interview, noting that the grant will be used to support the facilities, including building a simulated X-ray room.
The WESTMed , on the other hand, will allow the 40 selected students to graduate within seven years, shorter than the current nine-year program. The university will also maintain the 120 regular students or the preparatory medicine courses.
Aside from these, Villaruz, also highlighted the university’s other accomplishments, as well as the future plans of his administration for the institution. (AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo)
