Budget Increase For ASU As One of the Outstanding SUCs

The Aklan State University (ASU) received an additional allocation of P5 million because of its innovations in Research, Development, Extension and Information and Communication Technology.

The ASU, being one of the Outstanding State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), was given additional allocation, for its notable R&D, international linkages and commercialization of inventions. The other SUCs include the Mariano Marcos State University, Central Luzon State University, Leyte State University and University of Southern Mindanao.

The citation was given by Senator Edgardo J. Angara during his lecture on “Education Is Our Future” at the 6th Jaime V. Ongpin Annual Memorial Lecture last month. The event is a yearly ritual that asks men of big ideas to deliver a lecture on an important national issue, the latest was attended by Dr. Benny A. Palma and Dr. Elsa I. Abayon, ASU President and Director for Research and Development Services, respectively.

Among the R&D projects of the University mentioned by the Senator during his lecture are the seedless rambutan and pomelo, high quality piña fiber, tissue-culture of Aklan piña, Mayon Turbo Stove or the Poor Man’s Gas Stove which uses rice hull, breeding and commercialization of native darag chicken, biodiesel additive from waste fats and oils, and mangrove reforestation and aquaculture.

Other projects are the Extension and Community Services through Farmer-Teachers, Community Radio for Agri-Development and the Integrated Crop Management for Rice.

Its ICT Initiatives are the internet library and its automation system, Korean Internet Volunteer Computer Literacy, digitization of commercial viable research output, and digitization of the English Proficiency Module. (SRVillasis, ASU-ECS.) /MP