The five-month partnership between UNO-R and Dr. Bruce Burnell Sharp, volunteer consultant of the Negros Island for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (NISARD) concluded with a Closing Program on July 15, 2010 at the President’s Hall.  The Closing Program was UNO-R’s way of saying “Thank You” to Dr. Sharp for the experience he has shared with the Civil Engineering graduating students of UNO-R.

Fr. Cachero hands a token of appreciation to Dr. Sharp.

In the Memorandum of Understanding signed on February 15, 2010, one of the major considerations was for Dr. Sharp to serve as an Adjunct Professor at the College of Engineering to provide training and instruction to the faculty and students as regards his expertise and specifically the transfer of technology for the project he would be working on for the Province of Negros Occidental.  Thus, the partnership has allowed mutual sharing of technological resources in the field of water resources, including research materials, books, field studies, and expertise.  According to University President, Fr. Dionisio C. Cachero, OAR, the best thing that happened to this partnership was that it has involved UNO-R faculty and students in the planning and field aspects of the program to develop hydroelectric plans for the Province.

At the Closing Program, Dr. Gorgonio Parroco, Graduate School Professor and Program Chair, delivered the Welcome Message in behalf of Fr. Joel Alve, OAR, Vice President for Academics, and Dean of the Recoletos de Bacolod Graduate School.  After the President’s Message, Dr. Bruce Sharp recalled his accomplishments over the past five months.  Words of Gratitude came from one of the Civil Engineering students who availed of the expertise of Dr. Sharp.  Present during the Closing Program were some religious and lay administrators of UNO-R, representatives from NISARD and the Provincial Government, and the 5th Year Civil Engineering students.  Engr. Christopher Taclobos, Dean of the College of Engineering , presented the 5th Year Civil Engineering students who attended the training conducted by Dr. Sharp.

Meanwhile, Officials from the Commission on Higher Education Region VI were at UNO-R last July 15, 2010 for an orientation on the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency Accreditation Program (ETEAP) and the Center of Development for Excellence (CODE).  CHED HERO VI Regional Director Dr. Virginia Resurreccion with Dr. Jean Chan and Dr. Greg Perez graced the occasion.  They met with the Registrar, Deans and Department Heads of UNO-R.  They discussed the processes of getting the CODE and the ETEAP.

Fr. Cachero, Dr. Chan, Dr. Resurreccion, Fr. Alve and Dr. Perez