IN the past, the selection of the UP Los Baños (UPLB) chancellor warranted the attention of national leaders, particularly those managing rural development-related agencies.
The reason is that the UPLB is the country’s premier institution of agricultural and forestry learning. It generated a significant amount of knowledge in fields of immediate relevance in addressing the many challenges facing the rural economy then. Thirty to 40 years ago, the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector contributed more than a fourth of gross domestic product. Now, it is less than nine percent.
More importantly, three or four decades ago, there was keen interest in science-based policymaking. During that time, among the priorities of the heads of the Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources and Agrarian Reform departments was a trip to UPLB to consult with its chancellor and senior faculty and researchers.
This is no longer happening today because, as noted, agriculture’s importance to the overall economy has shrunk. Of greater weight is the fact that science-based policymaking is now no longer the norm as our policymakers and politicians have opted to latch on to populist demagoguery and ideology. For the latter, “in aid” of propping up their popularity and winning votes during elections.
Despite this, the selection of the new UPLB chancellor still holds high relevance to the future of our rural economy as the institution still generates considerable scientific knowledge and inventions in the fields of agriculture and forestry. More than ever, its expertise is needed because of the continuing decline in agricultural productivity and the rut in which the sector seems to be stuck.
There are currently four nominees to the position, all coming from different UPLB colleges: the current chancellor, Prof. Jose Camacho; Prof. Elpidio Agbisit of the College of Agriculture; Prof. Willie Abasola of the College of Forestry and Natural Resources; and Prof. Rex Demafelis of the College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial Technology. My assessment is that all of them are academically qualified.
But having impressive academic credentials is one thing; being able to manage a complex and expanding university like UPLB is another matter. One must not only be admired by colleagues as an intellectual leader; the candidate must also possess the management skills to implement innovations in the university if the institution is to maintain its relevance.
A forum was held a week ago to allow the candidates to present their visions and plans. As usual, these contained the noble goals of bolstering the university’s intellectual leadership by improving its academic offerings, enhancing its ability to help in nation-building (particularly targeting the poor as the main beneficiaries of its development efforts), improving the welfare of faculty, researchers, administrative personnel and students and preparing the university for future challenges (particularly with the advent of artificial intelligence), etc.
The problem with these aspirational goals is that I have heard them before from previous candidates. What I want to hear from the candidates is an enumeration of more pragmatic and down-to-earth measures that should be implemented by the new chancellor to address the practical problems the university is currently facing, which if properly addressed will accelerate UPLB’s intellectual development and relevance.
Having been a resident of Los Baños and being affiliated with UPLB for a number years, below is my priority list of things the new chancellor should tackle.
First, there is an urgent need to upgrade the university’s basic facilities like its energy source and water and sanitation system. Current facilities were constructed to meet the needs of the 1970 and 1980s UPLB population of around 5,000 students. Enrolment is now around 14,000 and the significant increase in student population and academic personnel is undeniably stretching the use of these facilities to the limit.
It is not surprising that many new buildings completed (and a few more to be completed soon) cannot be opened because they will overload existing energy, water and sanitation facilities. ICT infrastructure on campus cannot be upgraded and modernized for the very same reason of inadequate energy and water sources. The proposed Science Park launched in the 1990s is in the doldrums because the university does not have enough power and water to make it fully operational.
Second is that there is so much in-breeding happening in the university, which has the effect of lessening the pressure to exact greater excellence from the faculty and researchers. The “old boys and girls” network operates within its comfort zone of mediocrity because those who challenge the current cozy arrangement are treated as pariahs.
The university should actively recruit faculty and researchers outside of UPLB with solid track records and even advocate for allowing foreign faculty members to teach and conduct research. Leading universities in neighboring countries have done this, such as in the fields of ICT and engineering, and this has had the effect of raising their overall academic standards.
Third, greater interaction with the university and private industry should be promoted to ensure the immediate relevance of research undertakings and students who study at UPLB. Research outputs should not be mainly treated as a tool for the faculty or researcher’s promotion but should contribute to making local agri-enterprises efficient and competitive. The end goal is not publication but productive utilization of research results.
Finally, UPLB should work for the establishment of a College of Medicine on its campus. It has excellent feeder programs to support a medical program because of its established strength in biology, chemistry, molecular biology, food science and other medical-related disciplines. It has outstanding medical doctors in various fields of medical specialization affiliated with surrounding hospitals.
More importantly, the dramatic increase in the population of Southern Luzon provinces and rapid urbanization accompanied by palpable increase in income have created huge demand for medical and health services in the area.
The challenges facing UPLB are indeed enormous. But these can be transformed into opportunities. It is imperative that the institution chooses the right leader to properly steer it in the future.
For me, I would still put my bet on the current chancellor, “Dong” Camacho, because of his proven steady hand during the peak of the Covid outbreak and the change in the political administration mid-2022. UPLB cannot afford the luxury of a learning curve for a new chancellor as the institution and the country confront serious challenges in the next three years. UPLB’s leader must hit the ground running.
fdadriano88@gmail.com
