Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan with Universidad de Manila (UdM) President Felma Carlos-Tria and UdM Regent and Honorary Consulate to the Republic of Peru Ambassador Francis Chua led the opening of the new Technology Wing which offers high-tech facilities and equipment to students of the university.
According to Lacuna-Pangan, the new tech rooms had new and modern computer units and rehabilitated the three computer laboratories, four lecture rooms, and separate comfort rooms for men and women.
She thanked Chia for the new aircon, chairs, glass writing boards, and several gadgets installed in the rooms.
"Angkop na angkop na tawaging Technology Wing. Maraming salamat Regent Chua sa napakahalagang ambag ninyong ito dito sa ating Universidad de Manila (It is right to call the Technology Wing. Thank you very much Regent Chua for your invaluable contribution to our Universidad de Manila)," the mayor said.
The mayor said that modernizing public schools in Manila had always been among the city government's top priorities.
It can be recalled that the mayor recently inaugurated three state-of-the-art school buildings: Manila Science High School, Rosauro Almario Elementary School, and Dr. Alejandro Albert Elementary School.
All the said schools have ten-story buildings complete with modern facilities and equipment, air-conditioned rooms and elevators, gymnasium, auditorium, library, canteen, and offices, aimed at inspiring the students to study well.
"Lahat ng ito ay nakaugnay sa tinatahak nating direksyon sa pamamahala. Layunin natin na makamit ang isang Maringal na Maynila o Magnificent Manila pagdating ng taong 2030, kung saan ay mapapabilang ang Maynila sa tinatawag na mga world class cities. At sa tulong ng mga katulad ninyo Regent Francis Chua, walang imposible na maabot natin ang ating pinapangarap (All of this is linked to the direction we are taking in management. Our goal is to achieve a Magnificent Manila by the year 2030, where Manila will be among the so-called world class cities. And with the help of people like you Regent Francis Chua, nothing is impossible for us to reach our dreams)," said Lacuna-Pangan, as she also appealed to school authorities and the students to take good care of the said new facilities for the next batches to also enjoy.
"In fact, it has such a big impact. I know that we can reach greater heights and with very big hearts such as Ambassador Francis Chua, sa tingin ko, mas mabilis tayong makakarating sa gusto nating puntahan (I think we can get to where we want to go faster)," Tria said.
She said that when she assumed her post at the UdM before the Lacuna-Pangan administration, they had to accept "defeat" because they could not admit first-year engineering students due to a lack of sufficient facilities and laboratories.
Tria said they decided to instead concentrate on information technology (IT) which is currently in demand, making do with their modest computer laboratory and limiting the sections due to limited facilities.
Tria said they decided to concentrate on information technology (IT), which is currently in demand, and prioritize building their modest computer laboratory and limiting sections due to limited facilities.
She said the new facilities boast the quality of education among students under UdM's College of Engineering and Technology, owing to the number of students who have passed the board.
Citing the availability of wifi and the ongoing improvement of buildings among others, Tria said the UdM will continue to produce quality citizens who will contribute to the progress of the city, the country, and the world.
"Iyan lang aking vision as the head of the institution, na makapag-produce ng (That is my vision as institution head to produce) graduates who are ready for the global demands," she added.
The new wing renovation includes the modernization of three computer laboratories and four "Smart Classrooms" equipped with 60 sets of desktop computers, four Smart Board televisions, three flat-screen televisions, 200 units of armchairs, computer tables, 14 units of glass writing boards, two air-condition units per classroom, seven adjustable teachers tables, window blinds, tiles and lights and renovation of restrooms in the third and ground floors, and the all-gender comfort room.
The inauguration of Tech Wing was followed by the unveiling of the Ambassador's bust at the lobby in honor of his generous contribution to the university.
Also gracing the event were Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo, Chua's wife Betty Ang, and their children, Dr. Rejan L. Tadeo, UdM's Director for Quality Assurance, Accreditation, Compliance and Linkages Emmanuel "Cris" Gatdula, Director for Information and Communications Technology and UdM Vice President for Comptrollership Jeffrey Litan.
"With the continuing development and advancement of technology, it serves as a big challenge for learning institutions to have suitable and adequate facilities not only for their students but more so for their teachers. Kailangan nating makasabay sa takbo at mga pagbabago sa iba’t ibang larangan at disiplina. Kaya napakalaking tulong itong pinasisinayaan nating Technology Wing dito sa UDM na naisakatuparan sa mabuting kalooban ni Regent Francis Chua (We need to keep up with the trends and changes in different fields and disciplines. So it is a great help that we are inaugurating the Technology Wing here at UDM which was carried out with the goodwill of Regent Francis Chua)," the mayor said in her speech.
