The UPERDFI Board of Trustees met on November 20 to discuss the status of programs and projects. Focus will be on seeking donors for new chairs and increasing the number of active chairs out of the underfunded chairs that are being rested. New initiatives include supporting the plan of Dean Ferdie to establish the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Program being developed by UPCOE and the College of Science. At the same time, UPERDFI will craft the offering of a Certificate Program in Engineering Executive Development with the UP NEC. UPERDFI will also raise support for Chairs, the completion of the Learning Commons and the SWELL Program.
Advisers Nina Alabastro, Chato Calderon and Mar Casillan, and member Val Reyes also shared their insights on UPERDFI’s trajectory.
(L-R) Bing del Rosario, Chato Calderon, Nina Alabastro, Rico Trinidad, Dean Ferdie Manegdeg, Mar Casillan, Dan Peckley, Ega Atanacio, Val Reyes, Tito Aliga and Carl Odulio with Ronnie Nolasco (turned away from the camera).
Trustee Joe Florendo informed the Board of his taking a secondment leave from UP to assume the post of Deputy Director of the Southeast Asia Research Center in Agriculture (SEARCA) effective January 2020. The Board thanked him for his involvement as Trustee (representing the UP System) since 2014. Being a regular member, he promised to be involved with our affairs.
The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees is scheduled on the third week of February. Members are always encouraged to attend.
