You Should know about Bicol University

Who We Are

The pursuit of academic excellence and innovation amidst a very competitive environment and in adherence to international standards is the veritable mark of a first-rate university.

BU has traveled long and wide as it tries to define itself as a state university. Faced with enormous challenges of varying nature, it has survived and continues to leave an indelible mark in the lives of the Bicolanos. After almost forty years of existence, it has defied the odds, and can now be considered at par with the best higher education institutions nationwide. With strong leadership and committed men and women behind, the opportunity is now ripe to up the ante and meet the standards set by the international academic community.

Against the backdrop of a dynamic and ever-changing environment, the current plan as reflected in the 10-Year BU Comprehensive Development Plan (2003-2013), needs revisiting. Doing so would underscore the exigency to respond to the opportunities brought about by recent events and development by building on accomplishments, tackling emerging gaps and meeting new challenges head on.

BU, for its part, wants its presence significantly felt in the community. Guided by the twin concepts of excellence and innovation as the optimal endpoints, its current theme is “bringing BU closer to the community”. In no other way can BU make an impact to the community more deeply than by producing globally competitive and quality higher education graduates, and by generating new knowledge and technologies which, when transferred, will make a difference in the lives of the people. This is encapsulated in the institutional vision: A University of Excellence characterized by scholarship, engagement for the community towards sustainable development. Naturally, this only becomes possible through synergy of efforts and teamwork.

The modified institutional development framework, which is product of consultation and collaboration, captures everything that BU intends to do vigorously in answer to the call of the times - that of becoming a global university. Departing from the conventional, the key team players of the university came together and strategized by cluster, joining forces across all academic units to maximize discipline-based strengths. To make the benefits of growth spread across a greater number, each cluster determines core areas where it can contribute most, through advocacies. Proposed programs, projects and activities are likewise anchored on the major final outputs (MFOs), based on Organizational Performance Indicators Framework (OPIF) and the key results areas (KRAs) of SUC leveling, which serve as the barometer of organizational performance of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

In view of the comprehensive and multi-disciplinary nature of BU, there is a pressing need to move towards one direction, mindful of the enormous tasks that are put on its shoulders, and cognizant of the huge challenges that lie ahead. Unlike a boat without a rudder, BU will no doubt reach its destination, carve its own niche in the annals of higher education institutions, and strive relentlessly TO BE THE ONE.

Overview

Vision

An effective and efficient admission system by which applicants to the elementary and high school departments and to the various undergraduate courses are thoroughly screened with the end in view of providing the labor market with quality graduates for global development.

As a testing center, the office shall evolve into a duly accredited Regional Psycho - Educational Testing Center, serving the psychological testing needs of external clients from the school, industry, clinical and community settings.

Mission

Provide the Bicol University with quality and potential students through selective admission in the tertiary, secondary and pre-school levels.

Goals

1. To upgrade current policies and make admission more selective and stringent.
2. To conduct research studies on test development, using outcomes as standard tool in the selection and admission of students.
3. To increase efficiency in the delivery of basic services through a computer- based system of admission test results processing.
4. To conduct research studies on educational testing and placement.
5. To strengthen linkages with other colleges and universities to ensure that current admission policies are attuned to the changing needs of the academe.
6. To develop a marketing strategy by which the university's admission policies could widely be disseminated to its stakeholders.
   
   
   Office of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs
   Goals

   Administration
   Actualization of the highest degree of efficiency, effectiveness, collegiality in decision making and transparency in the administrative system and operation therefore promoting the University's mandate of quality instruction, research, extension and production.
   
   Instruction
   Provide the highest quality of advanced, specialized and professional training for the students through relevant and responsive curricular programs designated to meet both national and international standards of excellence.
   
   Research and Extension
   Leadership in scientific and technological researches and in extension activities to address and support regional and national economic development goals.
   
   Production
   Optimization of the resource-generation capacity of the University through academe-based entrepreneurship anchored on thecore competencies of the faculty to support the delivery of quality instruction, research and extension function.

   Objectives

   1. Achieve efficient and effective participatory governance by empowering the deans, directors and department chairmen along academic ang academic-related concerns of their respective units.
   2. Attain the highest level of academic standards through the accreditation of all degree programs.
   3. Direct the formulation of proposals of new and relevant courses and the continuous review of existing curricular offerings, with emphasis on vertical articulation, to produce graduates who are employable in their profession.
   4. Upgrade personnel competence through revitalized continuing professional education under the staff development program of the University.
   5. Raise the percentage of passers in licensure examinations through selective admission and retension policies of the University, quality instruction, and institutionalized review classes.
   6. Work for the ladderized of certain programs.
   7. Be globally competitive through internationalization of the Graduate Programs.
   8. Encourage concerned colleges to work towards becoming Centers of Excellence and Centers of Development.
   9. Support functional library and information system services, guidance and counseling services, and other student services and activities.
   10. Institutionalize, revitalize and strengthen the research and extension activities in all colleges/units by assigning corresponding work equivalent credits.
   11. Optimize the resource-generation capacity of the college/unit through production of textbooks, manuals, workbooks and other instructional materials.
   12. Strengthen alumni and community relations programs.
   13. Establish linkages with other colleges and university and certain government agencies and entities such as CHED, PASUC, DepEd, and TESDA through networking activities.

   Duties and Responsibilities

   1. Attain the highest level of academic standards possible supervising the efficient, effective and transparent operations on the delivery of:
      
      1. Academic functions of the various colleges/units;
      2. Admission, registration of students and the evaluation of student records;
      3. Guidance and counseling of services;
      4. Library and information system services;
      5. Student services and student activities;
      6. National service Training Programs (NSTP);
      7. Research and Extension functions; and
      8. Alumni and cummunity relations programs
   2. Direct the review, formulation, revision and/or amendment of policies relating to academic matters for approval of the SUC President and endorsement to the Academic Council and to the Boards of Regents;
   3. Oversee the implementation of the approved policies on academic matters including the period monitoring and evaluation of the same and assist in the resolution of issues and problems arising there from;
   4. Advice the SUC President, other Vice Presidents and other Heads of colleges/units regarding legislated and/or mandated changes in the curricular programs emanating from national government agencies and entities such as CHED, PASUC, DepEd, TESDA and initiate the corresponding institutional responses thereto;
   5. Review and recommend for the SUC President's approval the work and Financial Plans of various colleges and units including their Annual Equipment Procurement Programs (AEPP), in collaboration with the Vice President for Administration, the VP for Production, the University Planning Officer and the Budget Officer;
   6. Conduct periodic review of the college/unit quartely academic-related progress reports vis-a-vis the original work plans for appropriate policy action;
   7. Perform routine functions pertaining to:
   1. Approval of requests for travel on official business or on official time only for a period of eight (8) calendar days to one (1) month of all teaching personnel, upon the recommendation of the concerned Dean or Director;
   2. Approval of requests of students and / or faculty members to go on educational tours or field trips;
   3. Approval of requests of teaching personnel to participate in professional development activities for a period of eight (8) calendar days up to one (1) month, upon the recommendation of the concerned Dean or Director;
   4. Approval of invitations to teaching personnel to act as lecturers, resource speakers, jurors, and the like within the Bicol Region;
   5. Sign the Daily Time Records of the Deans, Directors and other heads of offices directly under the office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs;
   6. Review and recommend to the Office of the SUC President the Performance Appraisal Reports of the Heads of Offices under the Office of the Vice President for academic Affairs;
   8. Act as Ex-Officio Chairperson of the University Curriculum Committee, the University Committee on Student Development and the University Committee on Faculty Welfare and Development, and oversee the performance of the functions inherent to each Committee as provided for the University Code;
   9. Evaluate and recommend nominees for Professorial Chair, Professor Emeritus, fellowship and Scholarship Grants, Sabbatical leave for the SUC President's consideration and endorsement to the Board of Regents;
   10. Represent the SUC President in official functions and/or activities as may be directed;
   11. Preside over meetings of the Academic Council in the absence of the SUC President;
   12. Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the SUC president from time to time.

   
   

   
   

   Board of Regents

   
   

   
   

   HON.PATRICIA B. LICUANAN, Ph. D. CHED Commissioner Chairperson, BU Board of Regents HON. FAY LEA PATRIA M. LAURAYA, Ph. D. SUC President IV, Bicol University Vice-Chairperson, Board of Regents Tel. Nos.:  (052) 821-7939; 481-1401 MEMBERS
   HON. EDGARDO J. ANGARA Chairperson Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture	HON. JUAN EDGARDO M. ANGARA Chairperson, Committee on Technical and Higher Education House of Representatives
   DIR. ROMEO C. ESCANDOR Regional Director NEDA - Region V Tel. Nos.:  (052) 482-0252; 820-5899	MS. RACHELLE ANNE L. MIRANDA Chairperson, University Student Council, Bicol University
   ENGR. JOSEPH B. ESPLANA President, BU General Alumni Association, Inc.	DIR. TOMAS B. BRIÑAS Regional Director DOST Region V
   DR. JOSE V. DAYAO Regional Director Department of Agriculture Region V Research and Development Center As the premier state university in the Bicol Region, the Bicol University (BU) is mandated to perform the four-fold functions of instruction, research, extension, and production. To operationalize its research function, the BU Research andStatistics Center (BURSC) was created on January 1, 1977. Its mandates are to initiate, undertake, coordinate and integrate the research efforts of the University in relation to the national and regional development goals. The R & D thrusts of the Bicol University are focused on the priority commodity/areas set by the national/regional research agencies and that of the University. Outside of these assigned priorities are institutional researches being undertaken by the University faculty and personnel. The Center also maintains a databank of relevant information supportive to administration and management of the University. By virtue of BOR Resolution No. 30, series of 2002, the BURSC was renamed to the BU Research and Development Center (BURDC), giving direct emphasis to the important role and contribution of BU to the regional and national development through leading edge, innovative, and responsive researches. The function of the Center is research administration and management while research implementation is lodged in the college/unit. Vision "A university that is imbued with a dynamic, relevant, and a responsive research culture dedicated towards the generation and dissemination of information and technology that address, institutional, regional, and national development needs." Mission "BU's R&D mission is to contribute to the generation, enhancement, and transfer of technology in support to the development of the Bicol University and to the uplifting of the socioeconomic condition of the Bicol Region.” Target Goals  (a)  Enhance the R&D capability of the BU faculty thru the institutionalization of training courses; (b)  Provide a conductive policy environment is the university that will stimulate and/or enhance the research interest of the faculty; (c)  Put in place dynamic R&D programs and projects that are reflective of and responsive to institutional, regional, and national development thrusts and priorities; and (d)  Facilitate the dissemination and commercialization of research results and mature technologies. Objectives and Targets To package and conduct at least one training every quarter to enhance the R&D capability of BU personnel. To review and formulate policies that will provide the conductive working environments for increased research output of the University. To put in a place a revitalized support structure responsive to the R&D activities of the colleges. To develop a core of faculty-researchers along Bicol’s priority commodities and disciplines. To package and conduct R&D activities that are responsive to certain institutional, regional, and national development concerns. To showcase mature technologies for dissemination and commercialization. THE BICOL UNIVERSITY EXTENSION FUNCTION DEFINITION AND LEGAL BASIS            Extension service as defined in the General Appropriations Act is an inherent function of institution of higher learning with the purpose of initiating, catalyzing, and sustaining the development of various communities, using their experience and available resources. It is a vital component in creating a more favorable, true to life teaching-learning experience for students and for the school to bring to the community its expertise and resources.             Extension services also involves packaging, demonstration, and application of appropriate technology, tools, materials, processes and products, generated through research and technical studies in selected communities for countrywide adoption.               It includes community organizing activities and similar extension, or community development work.             Extension is one of the three fold functions of the state university that is recognized  and embodied in the Higher Education Modernization  Act of 1997 (RA 8292) with regards to the intensification of the extension services together with research and higher education that will be geared towards the provision of better quality education and the development of middle and high level manpower.  The act also promotes the establishment of extension centers where development shall be established at the communities, setting up the adoption of modern and innovative modes of transmitting knowledge such as the use of information technology, the dual system, open learning, community laboratory, etc., for the promotion of greater access to higher education.               Operationally, the BU Extension Organization defines extension as an alternative educational process and related services undertaken with the various clienteles of the university for the purpose of initiating, catalyzing, sustaining and widening their opportunities and creating more favorable true-to-life teaching-learning experiences for the students and for the institution.     It involves the development and/or enhancement of the competency and widening of opportunities for growth to attain individual, community, national and global goals.  Specifically for BU Extension, it shall include the following key undertakings: continuing education, development and action research, communications media technologies, knowledge management, consultancy, linkages and other related support. VISION                                                A dynamic, and responsive model university extension organization that builds capacities and transforms lives in Bicol and beyond. THE MISSION To bring the University closer to the community by engaging in unified extension undertakings, providing access to science and technology to clienteles thus building capacities and transforming lives in Bicol and beyond for sustainable development. THE THRUSTS Education to Build Resilient Communities Environmental protection and climate change mitigation and adaptation Entrepreneurial development and social responsibility (consumer education) Promotion of national & regional identity through communication, culture & the arts and preservation of Bicol Cultural Identity Science and technology promotion and commercialization Promotion of supply chain orientation on local products Peoples’  organization and community development Improved Information communications technology Promotion of optimum fitness and healthy lifestyle Moral development Promotion of Good Government STRATEGIC GOAL Scholarship engagement for the community through an alternate education process (modeling, disseminating and providing access to science and technology) with the conduct of extension programs and projects embodying social entrepreneurship and consumer education towards client empowerment to attain self reliance and sufficiency for sustainable  resilient communities. STRATEGIES Enhancing the University extension services both at university and college/unit levels through integrated and focused programs and projects  Pursuing key program of concerns i.e: continuing education, communication media technologies support, consultancy, linkages & related services, knowledge management, and development/action research. Contributing substantially to the national development targets through continuing education, information communications media support, consultancy, linkages and other related support services, knowledge management, pursuit of development projects and action research, and utilization of state-of-the-art amenities and facilities. Establishing functional linkages & networking with different development institutions for joint extension undertakings at the regional, national and international levels to create greater impact  Continuing staff development and scaling up of facilities  Inter-phasing with research, instruction in the pursuit of parallel goals and conduct of development projects  Encouraging greater faculty, non-teaching staff, and student involvement in extension through incentives and awards on exemplary accomplishments  Complementing and supporting LGUs, SUCs and other agencies undertakings   Establishing and maintaining an ICT-based science and technology resource center (knowledge-based and e-Extension services)  Pursuing a balanced development strategy that would reduce the communities  vulnerability to shocks and excesses that may arise as a result of globalization  Developing and innovating an alternative development approach through a BU-Led Flagship Extension Program incorporating the best practices from the past and the present undertakings which would be a model for fostering community resiliency. Maintaining a database of S and T information and research results and pool of University experts.  Transferring of appropriate and matured technologies for adoption and commercialization. CORE GUIDING VALUES The trademark of a BU Extension practitioner is in the firm commitment and continuing aspirations to work, as guided by these core values: Faith in God – We will trust God at all times and believe in truth, integrity and the common good Change Maker- we will facilitate and promote change that will be geared towards transforming lives of the clients  Knowledge Worker -– we will instill the benefits of technology and information  generation through education for a better foundation of total human development; we will be open to learn and relearn  modified or newly developed extension methodologies and strategies, and other innovations  to update ourselves in application to the improvement of the communities  Excellence – We will strive for the best in any undertakings  Resourcefulness – We will harness our innate talents and gifts, and build on partnerships  Resilience –We will be dynamic, adjustable, responsive and adaptable to emerging situations Team Work –We will move as one to be the one  PHILOSOPHY OF EXTENSION “People are the determiners of their present and future conditions.” Extension must develop in the client the capacity to define their needs and ask/seek relevant services  Education must be viewed as a way to liberate people from all sorts of enslavement: ideological, social, cultural, economic and biophysical  Extension must be built on the knowledge that already exists, it is not a process of filling empty minds about their environment and their locality. An extension practitioner, therefore needs to learn as well as to educate. PRINCIPLES OF EXTENSION Extension works with people and not for them.  Extension is accountable to its clients  Extension is a two-way link between the extension practitioner and the community client  Extension links the community with research and instruction  Extension cooperates with other community development organizations. Extension works with different target groups  Effective communication process takes place within extension systems  Extension works for empowerment with focus on client rights, consumer education and decentralization. Extension recognizes a strong private sector role and builds on partnership in development  Extension must promote technologies which are market led and whose products are demand driven Extension adopts the total farm, total technology approach and considers the whole farm system. Extension considers inclusive development as an approach. Extension considers value chain orientation (field to final consumers) for commodities it aims to assist and promote.  Extension adopts the total community approach for  economies of scale, its projects shall aim to involve the whole community . Extension believes in timely provision of the best technical advice and increased access to data and information and the utilization of information communications technology. Extension aims for total human development thus its intervention is three-dimensional that is improving the knowledge, attitudes and skills of its clienteles. Office of Student Services The Office of Student Services (OSS) of the Bicol University is in charge of the provision of the Student Personnel Services (SPS), an integrated comprehensive system of co-curricular services and activities aimed at contributing to the fulfillment of the University's mission statement. The OSS works alongside the academic colleges and units in the development of well-balanced and rounded students through the promotion of their general welfare. Its mission is to promote student's access, welfare, achievement, development and postgraduate success. The OSS also offers services to students to help them cope more effectively with the many facets of university life which can affect academic work: financial aids, health services, individual and/or group counseling, career planning, procedures for redressing grievances, standards for student's conduct, due process in the event of disciplinary action and advice/assistance in time of trouble. A variety of programs and activities are offered by OSS to provide opportunities to students to become involved in campus life outside the classroom: orientation of new students, students' organizations, student publication and events of special interest. Our Achievements and Track Record The premier state university in Region V State Universities and Colleges (SUC) Level IV since 1998 Center of Development in Fisheries Education, Agriculture and Fisheries Research (DA-BAR) and Extension Host institution for Bicol Consortium for Agriculture Resources Research and Development (BCARRD) Top performing school in Social Work (National), Accountancy (Regional), Nursing and Midwifery Top placers in Engineering and Education licensure examinations Recognized for offering the best ladderized programs in Entrepreneurship              Regional lead agency for Science and Mathematics education, it is              DOST identified e-training center for Science and Mathematics teachers;              SEAMEO INNOTECH-identified implementor of Flexible Learning Courses (EXCELS on Excellence in School Leadership for Southeast Asia);              DepEd identified TTI to implement the project upgrading High School Science and Matematics Teachers Competence Program;              Implementor of iSchool Project of CICT-hcdg. Has 56% of its academic programs accredited from Level I to III. 2008 National Awardee for the Best National Service Training Program 2007 Best ROTC Unit in Bicol 2008 Awardee of the 1st Raul Roco Youth Achievement Awards Recognized by the National Youth Commission with one of the Top Five Best Environmental Programs in the country. Its students’ Film and Speech Theater Production in the rural areas influence community action, e.g., environment consciousness and protection.

BU Scholarships

Entrance Scholarship
An entrance scholarship consisting of tuition fee discount shall be enjoyed for one semester by high school valedictorians/salutatorians from a public or private of a graduating class of not less than 50 students, except those who graduated from SUCs/laboratory high schools. The overall topnotcher in the BUCET shall also qualify under this scholarship. A student who meets the mentioned qualifications must apply for entrance scholarship upon enrollment by presenting his Form 138 (Fourth Year) and a certification as to the size of the graduating class and honors obtained from the high school principal or head of the secondary school where she/he graduated as valedictorian/salutatorian. Valedictorians and the BUCET overall topnotcher shall enjoy a 100%free tuition, while the salutatorians shall enjoy 50% free tuition. Entrance scholars may become academic scholars upon meeting the qualifying average at the end of the semester.

Academic Scholarship
Students who obtained high average rating during the preceeding term attended in the Bicol University are granted University/Full scholarship or College/Partial scholarship upon application with the Office of Student Services, under the following conditions:

University/Full Scholarship

- 100% free tuition and other assessed fees for a general weighted average (GWA) of 1.00 - 1.25

College/Partial scholarship

- 75% free tuition fee for a GWA of 1.251 - 1.5
- 50% free tuition fee for a GWA of 1.51 - 1.75

To qualify as academic scholar, the student must not have a grade lower than 2.4 (85%) in any subject, and be recommended by the concerned Dean/Director of the College/Unit.

Publication Scholarship
Students who qualify and are named of the officially recognized University/College publication as a result of competitive examinations are granted the Publication Scholarship every semester upon recommendation by the adviser of the College/Unit publication. The following publication staffers are granted free tuition fee, provided, application for the scholarship is made with the Office of Student Services:

Editor-in-Chief
University Publication - 100% free tuition
College/Unit - 75% free tuition

Associate Editor
University Publication - 75% free tuition
College/Unit - 50% free tuition

Managing Editor
University Publication - 50% free tuition
College/Unit - 25% free tuition

Senior/News Editor
University Publication - 25% free tuition

Science Scholarship
Students who win in national/regional science competitions and are recommended by the adviser of recognized college/unit Science organization are entitled for free tuition fee immediately following the semester after the award, as follows:

National winner - 100% free tuition
Regional winner - 50% tuition

Science scholars must have a GWA of not lower than 2.0 during the preceding semester and must not have a grade lower than 1.9 (90%) in the science subjects.

Arts Scholarship
Students who are members of a recognized University Arts group who win in national/regional competition and recommended by their adviser shall enjoy immediately following the semester after the award free tuition fee, as follows:

National winner - 100% free tuition
Regional - 50% free tuition

Music Scholarship
Students enrolled in the BSF program, major in Music, who win in national/regional musical competitions and are recommended by the Music Club adviser, provided, the student has no grade lower the 1.9 (90%) in Music subjects, are granted the following immediately following the semester after the award:

National winner - 100% free tuition
Regional winner - 50% free tuition

COLLEGES & CAMPUSES

• Main Campus
• College of Science
• College of Nursing
• College of Arts and Letters
• Institute of Physical Education Sports and Recreation
• College of Education
• Graduate School
• East Campus
• College of Engineering
• College of Industrial Technology
• Daraga Campus
• College of Business Economics and Management
• College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
• Guinobatan Campus
• College of Agriculture and Forestry
• Tabaco Campus
• Polangui Campus
• Gubat Campus