Formulating the University’s Vision and Mission is a crucial step toward building and running a successful educational institution. If crafted strategically, clarity and direction on decision-making, resource allocations, and operations management are attained. Otherwise, persistent conflicts will inevitably arise and identifying priorities will be difficult. On top of that, clear Vision and Mission statements are what hold the University stakeholders together. It is only proper that they engage in the systematic review process of the vision and mission that allows for adjustments derived from their ever-changing needs, especially that of the students who are the primary stakeholders.

This endeavor paved the way for the virtual Formulation, Review, and Revision of the RSU Vision and Mission. This was a half-day event held on Zoom attended by University officials, faculty and staff, students, representatives from different government and nongovernment agencies, alumni, parents, and other stakeholders. It geared toward recalibrating and realigning the RSU Vision and Mission to the shifting needs of the stakeholders as well as to the international academic trend such that RSU remains globally competitive in the face of current domestic and international challenges.

Mr. Turner Evon F. de Torres from the University’s Quality Assurance Office moderated the Zoom meeting and started it off with a run-through of the agenda. Thereafter, Dr. Tomas Faminial, Vice President for Administration and Finance, provided an opening remark and welcomed all the participants. The University President, Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani, imparted a message that laid stress on the importance of the Vision and Mission in providing a focal point so as to help the stakeholders align with the University and reassure that everyone works toward a common goal. This would lay the groundwork for the efficiency and productivity in the institution, she added. An Audio Visual Presentation was then delivered by the University’s Chief Administrative Officer, Atty. Glenn Niño M. Sartillo after which, an open forum was carried out to give way and opportunity for participants to scrutinize, review, or make recommendations on the formulated Vision and Mission, if there were any.

The participants had a healthy exchange of insights with Dr. Benedict Anatalio from Romblon Provincial Hospital (RPH) raising the question on why resilience and adaptability were not cited in the formulated Vision and Mission given that these attributes are imperative during these changing and challenging times. Mr. Frederick C. Gumabol,

Provincial Director of Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), posed the same question and added: “Do you only aim to be an excellent research-based institution?” The University administrators namely Mr. Juniel G. Lucidos, Atty. Sartillo, and Dr. Mani went into detail that resilience and adaptability are parts of the core deliverables and are demonstrated in the University’s goals and objectives. Dr. Mani reiterated that to be globally competitive is to be equally resilient. On another note, pursuit of excellence in research is being emphasized since it was established in the SWOT analysis that research is the University’s weakest point at this time. In addition, Ptr. Andrew Tiaga, President of Foursquare Bible College, pointed out the lack of affective domain in the Vision and Mission statements. He said that the University must produce holistic persons with positive characters and strong values to which Dr. Mani addressed by conferring about RSU’s founding Core Values tagged as SCRIBES which stands for Stewardship, Competence, Resilience, Integrity, Balance, Excellence, and Service. Dr. Mani also spoke briefly of the 6^th facet in the 10-Point Agenda in the context of excellence in human resource after Dr. Gumabol questioned why the University administrators were not mentioned. Dr. Rey P. Ramos, RSU’s Director of International Linkages and External Affairs Office, said that whatever is missing in the Vision and Mission can be found in the Core Values and 10-Point Agenda which were shared on screen by Mr. de Torres for everyone’s reference.

In closing, Dr. Emelyn R. Villanueva, Vice President for Academic Affairs, extended gratitude on behalf of the RSU administration towards the participants for sharing their time and valuable insights.

Summary of Communication Letters Sent to Head of Agencies and Municipalities

Personal	39
Email	19
TOTAL	58

Summary of Attendees

Administrators	43
Faculty	133
Staff	13
Students	85
Other Stakeholders	73
TOTAL	347

University officials, faculty and staff, students, representatives from different government and nongovernment agencies, alumni, parents, and other stakeholders pose for a photo as the event successfully comes to an end.