02/05/2025
๐ก๐๐ช๐ฆ: ๐๐ข๐ง ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ถ๐ ๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐ ๐๐จ๐ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ผ๐ฟ; ๐๐ฟ. ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐น๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ด๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ป ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐บ๐ฝ๐๐โ๐ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐
To further the institutionโs mission of academic excellence and innovation, Dr. Jaime I. Manuel, Jr., President of DMMMSU, appointed Dr. Victorio C. Palabay, Dean of the College of Technology (COT), as the new chancellor of the campus during the flag-raising ceremony on April 21, 2025.
On his official installation this May 2, Dr. Palabay said his top priority as chancellor will be to boost the campusโs research capabilities, especially in technology research with local relevance. He believes that achieving DMMMSUโs goal of becoming a State Universities and Colleges (SUC) Level 5 institution by 2030 will depend on intensified faculty and student research engagement.
โI remember the word of the President na gusto niya kasing maging SUC Level 5 by 2030. Matatapos yung term niya 2027. Kaya ang challenge [is], I will be helping him with that particular assignment to continue innovative strategies para makatulong sa university in [that] status. Kasi [one of the] basis ng SUC Level 5 status [is] involvement of faculty students in conducting research,โ Dr. Palabay said.
In his 12 years of being the dean of COT, Dr. Palabay has already built a reputation for producing commercialized technologies and community-adopted innovations. His works have been used in various sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and local enterprise.
โI have a lot of commercialized technologies research that was adapted by local government sectors. My machine was adapted by Broom Makers Association. Yung machine ko inadapt ng honeybee processing plant. So mga research [talaga ang focus]. Kasi ang promotion namin sa academe is our involvement in the conduct of research,โ he shared.
In line with this, Dr. Palabay intends to further develop a culture of research on campus by equipping both students and faculty with the skills needed to generate innovations that serve community needs.
โFaculty and students should strengthen their knowledge and skills in the conduct of research, especially technology research. Because these research [projects] are helpful in the locality. Kailangan focus natin yung kailangan in the locality para there are ready adopters of our innovations,โ he added.
Aside from his new role at the campus, Dr. Palabay also serves as the DOST Region 1 Metals and Engineering Innovation Center (MEIC) Focal Person. He emphasized the importance of inter-agency collaboration for long-term infrastructure development, highlighting ongoing partnerships with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through the MEIC.
Moreover, Dr. Palabay added that his previous research was funded by DOST, stating the value of strong ties with national agencies such as CHED and other government institutions to support innovation and research in higher education.
Meanwhile, Dr. Palabay, as the new chancellor, encouraged faculty to be more than educators and to be role models for innovation and leadership.
โActually, dapat ang mga faculty magiging model sa mga estudyante para tularan. Maging idol sila ng mga estudyante para gayahin sila,โ he said.
While for students, he called for greater cooperation, resilience, and work ethic in pursuing their academic and personal growth.
โDapat yung mga estudyante, they should be cooperative. They should be industrious. They should be patient during this period because when you are in this school, you will be developed to become a responsible citizen,โ Palabay exclaimed.
Dr. Palabayโs appointment signals a shift in leadership focused on research excellence, technological innovation, and community relevance that sets a new direction for MLUCโs future.
By John Daniel Magcanta
