From humble beginnings to lofty heights

In a tremulous landscape with a prevailing tropical climate known for its famous tagline, “where the mountain meets the sea”, nestled an academic institution with a humble past that sparked into a remarkable present – University of Antique. It remains steadfast in its mission which is the attainment of quality education and provide a globally competent graduates through an effective curricular instruction. The sole purpose of such undertaking is to maintain the quality assurance and wholesome management which adhere on the core values of the university. Thus, producing holistic Antiqueños with a dream of soaring greater heights and embracing wide arrays of opportunities.

According to Corporate Finance Institute, quality management is a means of “overseeing different activities and tasks within an organization to ensure that services offered, as well as the means used to provide them, are consistent to achieve and maintain a desired level of quality within the organization.” Hence, quality assurance of academic and administrative services are viewed as a holistic approach covering all the processes in a higher education institution, in order to serve the students and other stakeholders based on International Organization for Standardization (ISO) quality standards. The success of a quality assurance relies on the collective efforts of the administration and all of its support staff.

Since the UA was officially converted into a state university by virtue of Republic Act 9746, it gradually transformed into notable institution. Continuous changes in the external and extension campuses had set forth to render relentless service among UAeans. This paradigm shift was performed as necessary plans and strategies for continual institutional development. UA embarks the journey to develop its educational standards as well as its quality management system wherein it remains resolute with its goals and quality policy. Since UA is the only state university in the province which envisions to be the leading university in science and technology by 2022, it constantly upholds its ideals to seek and treasure potential benefits that pave the way in opening doors for greatest opportunities.

LOFTY HEIGHTS

Accreditation is viewed as a process by which an institution at the tertiary level evaluates its educational activities, in whole or in part, and seeks an independent judgment to confirm that it substantially achieves its objectives, and is generally equal in quality to comparable institutions. Therefore, curriculum implementation must undergo an accreditation process that guarantees the effectivity of curricular instruction and standardization of curriculum content that accord to global echelons.

University of Antique embraces a total change and it was a major challenge to keep the fire ablaze in the university system to continue develop its quality education services. The leading university in the province garnered the fourth spot in terms of the number of accredited programs as recognized by the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACUP) in 2018. With this highly commendable achievement, the university progressively unfolds its capability to soar high and meet international standards with regards to the educational status of the institution. This marks another milestone the University of Antique had attained.

Years had passed. The surging passion of every UAean in turning their dreams into reality is not far-fetched. The bitter-sweet savor of success had been carved into a sculpted dream. The four junctions representing the core values of the university rest the soul of its noble existence.

UAEANS AS KASUBAY

As empowered change agents, UAeans are imbued with a heart of helping one another. UA further strengthened its connection in the community, upholding one of its core values which is social responsibility. Social transformation can be achieved through extending a hand full of compassion, unconditional love and mutual respect to both deprived and underprivileged.

One of the Code of Conducts of UA Red Ants, the icon of a true UAean is “Be a Servant to each other” which

FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO

underscores their unwavering service, time and effort in order to alleviate societal issues such as poverty, lack of education and cultural degradation.

Providing services among the community in the province is one of the goals of UA as it is stated in the university’s mission. Among are the outreach programs of clubs and organizations and extension programs of every college that offer different kinds of services to recipient school or barangay.

The sUbAy Code of Conduct which is “Be Persistently Purpose-Driven” highlights that UAeans must create a purposeful life so as to make it worth living.

There are many activities organized through collective efforts initiated by the students. For instance, tree planting activity spearheaded by the university officials and UA Student Government (UASG), composed of clubs and organization presidents in collaboration with the Provincial Youth Development Office head, Mr. Rexon C. Nodque. In addition, the Latazon Outreach of The Prism together with the College of Arts and Sciences, which covers gift giving and literacy program among the people of Iraynon Bukidnon of Laua-an, Antique are just some of the community-related services created with a purpose.

The university was established through the support of the Antiqueños. So, the institution reciprocates this. When one takes part the responsibility he or she is not looking for his/her own welfare but also of the others’. The attribute of UA substantiating that it is indeed true in ‘transforming lives and building communities’.

These gradual changes brought University of Antique to the summit of its hard work. Its humble beginning earns the spotlight at the center of development. As UA embraces change, its four thrusts give direction to all its internal and external processes. It fully blooms and continuously radiate the essence of its core values which are integrity, excellence, commitment and social responsibility. This institution will remain steadfast in all battles. The epitome of development will soar up high to unlock door of opportunities in order to cater the needs of hopeful Antiqueños.

WRITTEN BY ALDEN JOHN TUBALE PHOTOS BY CODY CHAN TALATALA

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