“Be the rays of the SUNN.”
That was the challenge of the newly-installed president of the government-run Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology as he vowed to continue upgrading the institution despite the pandemic disruptions during his investiture at the school’s SUNN Hotel in Sagay City on Thursday, July 14.
Dr. Renante Egcas was formally installed as the fifth president of NONESCOST two years after the pandemic, a press release from Sagay City said.
In his speech, he said that despite the disruption brought by the pandemic he is challenging all the teachers, staff, and stakeholders of NONESCOST to be the rays of the SUNN as the school would soon become the State University of Northern Negros (SUNN).
“Let us work together to prove that in NONESCOST soon to be SUNN, everybody’s future shines brightest,” he said.
Egcas noted that he was the “pandemic president” of the school but it never hindered them to forward his UPGRADE agenda.
His UPGRADE agenda stands for Universityhood, People, Governance, Production and resource generation, Research, technology and innovation, Academic excellence, Development and improvement of sites and physical facilities, and Extension, linkages and internationalization, he said.
He started his term July 10, 2020 but because of strict COVID-19 protocols, the investiture was conducted this year.
Egcas said that despite the pandemic, they never stopped working and developed stronger resilience and quicker adaptability not only to survive and thrive but also to excel.
“As the leader of NONESCOST, I am optimistic about the future despite the challenges brought about by several disruptions, especially the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Egcas graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education at the Philippine Normal University-Visayas in Cadiz City. He also holds a Doctorate Degree in Technology Management.
He is also a writer and researcher and was the editor-in-chief of the Torch, the School Publication of PNU. He is married to Marylou Egcas, the branch manager of Land Bank of the Philippines-Sagay.
The investiture was attended by Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Sagay City Mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr., Vice Mayor Leo Rafael M. Cueva and Sangguniang Panlungsod members.
Former presidents of NONESCOST, Rogelio Artajo and Romulo Sisno, also attended the affair.
Javelosa, Cuevas and Rep. Alfredo Marañon III pledged their support for NONESCOST.*