This special issue of the UNP Chronicle hews close to ruminations on time. And it is rightly so because it commemorates the 59^th anniversary of the University and the fifth anniversary of the presidency of Dr. Erwin F. Cadorna. In a move reminiscent of Jose Rizal’s “The Philippines: A Century Hence,” which attempted to figure out the next 100 years after the hero’s time, our use of “hence” in this issue marks a juncture. It’s a rumination of the past, but also celebrating the feats of the present.

“The asymmetry of time, that is possessing a distinguished direction (its ‘arrow’),” scientist Jerzy Gołosz asserts, “seems to be one of the fundamental properties of time: we have many traces of the past—both in our memory and in the external world—but no traces of the future; events from the past influence those from the future, but we have no evidence of backward causation; the future seems to be open and we cannot definitely change the past.”

We cannot be certain of the future, but from what we could see as we read the signs of the present, the University continues to head in the right direction.

In 1968, visionaries of the University wrote in the UNP Annual, the predecessor of the UNP Chronicle: “1967-1968 was just the beginning. The University of Northern Philippines, from a humble beginning, is expected to move on through the years bringing into fruitful reality the dream of Ilocos Sur’s greatest leaders today Congressman Floro S. Crisologo and Governor Carmeling Pichay Crisologo – to establish an institution of higher learning for the present and the future generation of the people of Ilocandia.”

And more than 50 years later, the visionaries were not wrong. In this issue, we celebrate the 59^th anniversary of the University, as well as the fifth anniversary of President Erwin F. Cadorna.

SWORN INTO OFFICE THEN THE PANDEMIC HAPPENED

“A great disruption happened five months after I had sworn in as President of UNP,” begins Dr. Erwin F. Cadorna in his State University Address.

This was several years ago. But this has been a defining moment, according to him. “We were able to pivot our strategies and operations in response to changing conditions and fostered a collaborative environment that leverage diverse perspectives and skills. It was during these trying times that we developed our character as a university,” he said.

Dr. Cadorna thanked the University community for their constant support of him. “We have transformed UNP into a dynamic university where continuous improvement, adaptability, and resiliency are the core of our operations,” he added. Accordingly, the University community’s commitment to good governance fostered a shared vision and renewed purpose, resulting in accomplishments never expected to be achieved.

RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF BETTER THINGS

At the start of his second term, Dr. Cadorna set targets for the relentless pursuit of excellence at the University. And true enough, his administration has achieved these targets. Foremost among these is UNP’s earned post in university rankings.

In the UI Green Metrics, it is 472nd in the world, fifth among all HEIs in the Philippines, and third among SUCs. In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024, it belongs to the 1001–1500 bracket worldwide and is second in Region I.

Also, World Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2023 ranked UNP as 290th in the global top 300. It is the best in Region I along Student Support and Engagement, Social Responsibility, and Culture and Values, as well as the best in the Philippines along Culture and Values. Most importantly, it is the second best in the world along Culture and Values. Lastly, according to the EduRank System, UNP is the 66^th best among universities and colleges in the Philippines.

In addition, he also prided that UNP has started collaborating with international partners for the offering of transnational education. These include institutions from Thailand, Canada, and ASEAN countries. The University also offered new programs such as BS Mechatronics, BS Environmental Planning, and BS Marine Biology, installed solar-powered infrastructures and streetlights, created business incubation centers, and established a souvenir shop.

Other accomplishments include the conduct of cultural mapping and the application of UNP journals to the ASEAN Citation Index and Web of Science.

Dr. Cadorna also prided the topnotchers, namely: Maria Angela B. Oriente (second placer, Social Work Licensure Examination, September 2024), Jerrimae Rhose Anne P. Ragudo (seventh placer, Psychometrician Licensure Examination, August 2024), Gretchen Gallandez Estabillo (fifth placer, Special Professional Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers, June 2024), Kzter Cedrick D. Gacula (eighth placer, Nurses Licensure Examination, November 2023), Rosabelle M. Ponce (eighth placer, Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers [Elementary], September 2023), and Ma. Lara Erika Q. Alconcel (eighth placer, Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers [Elementary], September 2023).

LOOKING AHEAD

The five years that President Cadorna has been in office saw significant accomplishments. “We have like to sustain what we have started,” he admonished the University community.

His strategic goals, according to him, include expanding UNP’s academic programs, particularly in the offering of more graduate programs and emerging fields such as data science, environmental sustainability, and digital transformation. UNP is also planning green infrastructure projects, the full implementation of its Land Use Development and Infrastructure Plan, including a state-of-the-art technology center.

“These initiatives will position us at the forefront of higher education,” he asserted.

UNITED, NURTURING, PRODUCTIVE

President Cadorna looks forward to the UNP community continuing to be truly UNP: United, Nurturing, and Productive.

His next three years in office, according to him, will focus on improving the readiness and performance of graduates; working on Level III or Level IV status for all programs; conducting research-based extension programs, projects; or activities; undergoing Institutional Accreditation for Level III; sustaining the University’s presence in the international academic community; active partnerships along instruction, research, and extension; and sustaining the status of UNP as a National Training Center for gender sensitivity training.

As a nurturing institution, UNP will also continue to increase the number of programs with Certificate of Program Compliance (COPC) and Center of Development (COD) status; increase the percentage of enrolment in priority programs; offer new academic programs and enhance existing ones; increase initiatives for mobility and exchange programs for faculty and students; and acquiring or developing an information system for all UNP’s services.

Lastly, UNP will continue being productive through publication of research outputs in reputable journals, patentable research outputs, surveillance audit for ISO 9001:2015 re-certification, collaborations with different entities, establishment of a Knowledge Management System and Office, installation of solar-powered streetlights; securing QS Star ranking; improving quality for the Philippine Quality Awards; and reclaim the SUC Level IV ranking.

Dr. Cadorna ended his address by encouraging the attendees to help nurture strong community ties in the University, especially with its partners: the Provincial Government of Ilocos Sur, national government agencies, local businesses, international institutions, and its alumni network.

Article by Mark Louie Tabunan. Photo by Joel Tipon and Al Palomas.