Dean's message

July 2007

I congratulate you for getting yourselves admitted to the School. You are very fortunate to be students of the premier planning school in the country and in the ASEAN region. We also have very high expectations that you will perform well in your studies.

There are 37 new students for the first semester of this school year; 14 under DURP, 20 under MAURP and 3 under the PhD program. Of the 37 students, 7 are full-time. 19 or 51 percent of the new enrollees are graduates of UP.
 
Consider yourselves as government scholars inasmuch as the University is subsidizing a substantial portion of your tuition fees. As scholars, you have to fulfill your responsibilities to the University and the society, which is paying part of your tuition fee.
 
It would be a great offense to society if you will not be able to finish your course after having spent so much investment on you. Other deserving students have lost such an opportunity because it was given to you.
 
Unfortunately, only 35 percent of you may probably make it or successfully get their diploma. The person sitting on your left or on your right may not be able to finish his/her course for varying reasons. Some of these reasons maybe: more time needed to attend their job and/or family, health problems, financial difficulties, migration and failing grades. The bottom line is many of you will most likely waste government resources and your time resources too.
 
For now, you have just made a choice - i.e. to take up a course in urban and regional planning. This choice may change through time depending on your present and emerging priorities. The earlier you firm-up your decision and choice, the better for everyone. Do not wait until you reach the crossroad before you make your decision. It will be expensive on your part and it may be too late to back track.

Why did you choose this school and your course? Are you determined to pursue and finish your course? Or you just want to test it out or muddle through to find out if a career in planning is really for you?

What makes a student successful in his/her studies? Success in your studies requires a certain level of intelligence, discipline, diligence, time management and determination. If you have or can develop these traits, it would be most likely that you will make it.

You are privileged to have a good line-up of teachers. Your professors are highly reputable in their fields or specialization. Maximize your learning under their tutelage. Seize the opportunity to learn much from them. Do not waste their valuable time which commands a very high price in the consultancy market by getting yourselves frequently absent in their class. Some of your teachers are the highest paid planners in the consultancy industry. Avoid as much as possible missing their classes. It is also your duty to directly report to me if your teachers often miss their class because we do not tolerate this kind of practice in this school.

We are presently sourcing for funds to further upgrade and modernize our teaching facilities. We will be mobilizing our alumni and friends to help us raise the funds to improve the quality of teaching in our school as part of our centennial celebration. The University will be celebrating its centennial anniversary next year and we will be having lots of activities in the different UP campuses. You will be part of these activities and we hope that you actively participate in the programs.

Study hard but at the same time enjoy your stay in our school. You will be spending part of your life with us and with your classmates, make it worthy and memorable. Be ready to make sacrifices and at the same time look forward to creating new friendships and camaraderie in the process of fulfilling your academic goals. You will soon be part of the centennial graduates and will be recorded in the history books if you successfully hurdle your course.

Though the path may be steep and winding and the way maybe long, we hope to see you going up the stage to receive your diploma a few years from now.

Welcome and good luck.

 
CANDIDO A. CABRIDO, JR., Ph.D.

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