BACOLOR -- The new president of Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU) was named Friday by Commission on Higher Education (Ched) commissioner.
A museum in honor of the late President Diosdado P. Macapagal, fondly known as Apung Dadung, will also be established at the state university.
This was announced by Commissioner Nona Ricafort of Ched on Friday during the investiture program for Dr. Enrique Baking, first president Of DHVTSU, the first state university in Pampanga.
Ricafort, who also chairs the DHVTSU board, noted that it was Ventura who provided financial support to the late president to finish college.
“That really makes this school unique,” said Ricafort, who challenged Baking to make the state university globally competitive and produce world-class graduates.
Ricafort said she expected a 20 to 30 percent increase in enrolment next year in the 149-year-old trade school.
She expressed confidence that under Baking’s leadership, it will become a premier technological institution in the country.
Founded in 1861 as the Escuela de Artes iy Obras, the former Don Honorio Ventura School of Arts and Trade (DHVCAT) was converted into a state university through Republic Act 9832 authored by third district Representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. and signed by President Arroyo.
“It’s an answered prayer,” Baking, in his inaugural address, described the conversion.
“The tiny seed that Fr. Juan P. Zita and Fr. Felino Gil sowed 148 years ago has grown into a big tree with larger,” he said.
According to Baking, DHVTSU has now about 10,000 students from all over Pampanga and nearby provinces.
Baking thanked Mrs. Arroyo, Congressman Gonzales, Ched Chair Emmanuel Angeles, Senators Manuel Roxas III, Manuel Lapid, Miguel Zubiri, Congresswoman Cynthia A. Villar, chair of the committee on education in the House of Representatives, and other officials “for the realization of this dream.”
Congresswoman Villar, who pitched in for her husband Nacionalista Party presidential bet and Senator Manuel Villar, said they will continue to support DHVTSU.
Villar was introduced by former Pampanga fourth district representative Juan Pablo “Rimpy” Bondoc who accompanied her.
Also present during the investiture were presidents of state colleges and universities in Central Luzon, members of DHVTSU board of regents and other guests.