The Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology was initially found compliant with all institutional requirements to become a university, following an on-site validation of a composite team from the Commission on Higher Education and the bicameral Committee on Higher and Technical Education recently.
The validation is one of the requirements as NONESCOST seeks to become the first university in Northern Negros. It included a courtesy call on the school president, validation of learning resources and support structures, preparation of individual reports, CHEd Composite Meeting, and an exit meeting with school officials.
During the 5-day activity, from Nov. 15 to 19, the CHEd Composite Team and representatives from the Senate and House of Representatives concluded that NONESCOST is compliant with all institutional requirements; however, there are still compliances to work out for in specific program offerings.
Twenty validators inspected NONESCOST, including CHEd Executive Director Cinderella Jaro and Region6 director Raul Alvarez.
If NONESCOST becomes a university, it will be named the State University of Northern Negros (SUNN).
In his speech during the opening program, NONESCOST President Renante Egcas highlighted the programs and activities undertaken by the school to ensure student development, and comply with the requirements for universityhood.
“While we are fixated to become a university, we make sure that our more focused actions are also preparing our stakeholders, especially our graduates, with a certain brand in terms of knowledge, skills, and attitude,” Egcas said in a press release.
In June this year, Republic Act 11859, which seeks to convert NONESCOST into SUNN, was enacted. The legislation was initiated by former congressman and now Sagay Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva.
“This has long been our earnest aspiration to make Sagay a Mecca for quality education in the North as we provide an education accessible to all,” Cueva said.
Egcas also said that he is grateful to the city government and other stakeholders that helped NONESCOST to “UPGRADE”, which stands for University-hood, People, Governance, Production and Resource-Generation, Research, Technology and Innovation, Academic excellence, Development of sites and physical facilities, and Extension, linkages and internationalization.
Meanwhile, 2nd District Representative Alfredo Marañon III assured NONESCOST of his full support towards the “realization of our collective dream to make the state college into a university.”
Mayor Narciso “Narwin” Javelosa Jr., in his message, said that NONESCOST’s universityhood will create more opportunities for Sagaynons and neighboring areas. II
