The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is studying the possibility of an “internal amalgamation” of courses in the external campuses of Palawan State University (PalawanSU) and Western Philippines University (WPU).
This was disclosed by CHED Mimaropa Regional Director Edna Imelda Fernandez-Legazpi during her courtesy appearance at the session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Monday, February 3.
Legazpi clarified that it is not the two universities that will be merged but rather the programs they offer.
“Pag-aaralan namin kung ano yung tamang proseso, kung ano yung courses na ino-offer ng PSU at ng WPU. Kung pareho silang meron, bakit hindi na lang isa lang ang mag-offer para cost-effective sa gobyerno, hindi magco-compete,” she explained in an interview with the media.
“Titingnan natin yung strengths ng WPU at ng PSU. Sila mismo, may amalgamation na internal. Halimbawa, yung agriculture courses, i-give up na ng PSU at ibigay kay WPU kasi yun naman ang strength niya, at yung Hospitality Management naman, ibigay ng WPU sa PSU,” she added.
Legazpi also stated that they will still hold meetings to study the best course of action to take.
Meanwhile, WPU President Dr. Amabel Liao stated that while she still has no idea about CHED’s plans, WPU will fully cooperate with whatever plans are in the making.
“Sila ang mas nakakaalam, and we will submit to their wisdom. Of course, kung ‘yan ang makabubuti sa higher education ng Palawan, ‘yan ay susuportahan natin,” Liao said in a separate interview.
“I’m sure right now, there will be some details na medyo hindi pa natin maintindihan. But, of course, we will all work it out. What’s important is gusto nating mag-cooperate kung ‘yun ang nakikita nilang mas makabubuti sa Palawan,” she added.
Regarding the merging of courses in external campuses, Liao said they will have to assess the requirements of the municipalities or communities. However, she noted that there are instances where the number of students enrolling in a particular course exceeds the university’s capacity.
“There are times na sobrang dami ng estudyante. Nung nakaraan, naging problema namin na nagsara na ng slots ang PSU kasi sobrang dami na nga at hindi na kaya ng kanilang carrying capacity, so tayo sa WPU nagsabi na baka naman you can consider the courses in WPU because we still have some rooms,” she explained.
“Kung lahat ng estudyante hindi makayang i-cater ng dalawang universities lang, pag maraming estudyante ang isang kurso, ay pwede sigurong pagsaluhan, pagtulungan na lang, mag-share ng resources kasi pareho namang public universities,” she added.
