UE student councils condemn 9.5% tuition increase

STUDENT councils of both University of the East (UE) Manila and Caloocan campuses strongly opposed the impending imposition of a 9.5 percent tuition and other fees increase (TOFI) next academic year.

During the consultation meetings, the student leaders slammed the UE administration for proposing a tuition increase despite the University’s inadequate facilities and services. They provided reasons why the proposed hike should not be implemented.

University Student Council (USC) President Wyncyr Cuizon urged UE officials to reconsider their decision and begin prioritizing students’ welfare.

“Naiintindihan po namin ‘yung business side, pero ang UE is not solely a business institution. Ito pong Pamantasan ay para sa mga estudyante [na nangangailangan ng] mura pero quality education,” Cuizon lamented.

“Ang puso ng institusyong ito ay ang mga estudyante.

Sana po mas maging considerate tayo sa mga estudyante dahil wala po ang Pamantasan kung wala sila,” he underscored.

Meanwhile, Central Student Council (CSC) President Rabbi Polina Cruz called UE management’s proposal as “illogical, unreasonable, and downright inhumane.” struggling to pay their fees—those who went to UE for affordable, quality education will be barred from their dreams of a better future, all because UE is shifting the burden to the students,” the CSC president said. “UE is not only leaving its students behind but is throwing them under the bus. It is an act of survival more akin to betrayal,” she exclaimed.

Cruz criticized the UE administration for putting the burden on the students and their families while failing to take their financial situation into account.

Furthermore, college student councils expressed dissatisfaction with the outdated computers, as well as the defective air conditioners and projectors. They also emphasized the poor Internet connection on campus.

In addition to the aforementioned, the student leaders echoed students’ concerns about underperforming professors who have been “abusing” the output-based learning modality. According to Republic Act No. 6728, 70 percent of the incremental proceeds from tuition increases must be used for the benefit of the teaching and nonteaching faculty and staff.

Cruz emphasized that UE should not even consider proposing a TOFI because the University must first provide “quality services with promptness and efficiency because what is delayed is ultimately denied.”

“Show us these so-called enhancements: replace the old computers with ones that are up-todate and usable; fire incompetent professors; [and] make the tuition fee now worth our while,” she stated.

Similarly, Cuizon highlighted the students’ collective call to halt the impending imposition of a tuition increase the following academic year.

“Gusto lang po namin i-reiterate, as representatives of the students, that we reject the 9.5% increase. We are appealing for the reconsideration of this percentage,” the USC president implored.

“Sana maitanim po natin sa mga puso natin na gawing priority ang mga estudyante, kasi without them, lalong malulumpo ang Pamantasan,” he added. Meanwhile, UE Senior Vice President Florence Siy maintained that they want to give students the “best and affordable education.” She explained that increasing the school fees is the “balancing act” that the University must perform.

UE produces 26 new MEs, 8 master plumbers

UNIVERSITY of the East (UE)

Manila and Caloocan campuses produced a total of 26 new mechanical engineers and master plumbers in the recently concluded licensure examinations.

Mechanical Engineering Board

According to the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), UE

Manila had an 86.67 percent passing rate in the February 2023 Mechanical Engineering (ME) Licensure Examination, with 13 Warrior examinees passing out of 15 total.

Half of all UE passers came from the Caloocan Campus, which had a 68.42 percent passing rate after 13 of 19 examinees passed.

Both campuses performed better in comparison to the overall national passing rate of 62.17 percent. A total of 3,774 out of 6,070 passed the February 2023 ME board.

Master Plumber Board

Furthermore, the University produced eight master plumbers in the Master Plumber Licensure Examination (MPLE) in February 2023.

According to PRC data, the Manila Campus had a 40 percent passing rate, with four out of 10 passers.

Meanwhile, the UE Caloocan tallied a 28.57 percent passing rate, with four passers out of 14 Warrior examinees. The February 2023 MPLE posted an overall passing rate of 43.25 percent after 1,614 out of 3,732 examinees made the cut.