Dr. Banawa Seeks Deanship Anew; Presents Plans as Lone Candidate

by John Vincent Balustre


Incumbent Dean of the College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) Dr. Marie Joy Banawa, the sole nominee for the CASS deanship, took center stage to lay out her agenda for the next three years as she vies for another term during the public forum for the dean candidates held on Thursday, March 13, at the Institute Mini-Theater


Envisioning a people-centred and goal-oriented community, her guiding direction spanned from competitive academic programs, all-inclusive development of students, faculty, and staff, university goals, to strengthened relationships within CASS and the institute.


Dr. Banawa’s presentation outlined strengthened objectives that are in full swing such as their pursuit of international accreditation, interdisciplinary research and publication, external partnerships, conferences, responsive extensions, and support for staff.


Drawing her talk to a close, she emphasized strengthening relationships within the community, acknowledging scholarship in CASS as grounded in the ethos of its mantra.


“We are one in pursuing many goals in the university,” declared Banawa.


Gathering students, faculty, and staff, the open forum segment zoomed in closely with questions that revolved around her capacity as dean such as concerns about facilities, support, assistance, resources, and funding.


Banawa was asked about her biggest contribution in the 9-year stint as a Dean distinct from the collective efforts of the department to which she responded with the establishment of healthy relationships among her charge.


“There are faculty members that are very good in research, there are faculty members that are very good in extension, there are faculty members that are very good in instruction, maybe my contribution is [that] I am a good administrator. I am a good administrator because you can come to me and talk to me anytime,” she said.


On facilities, Banawa in response to the question of her awareness of the inconvenience brought by the lack of air conditioning units in certain classrooms relayed updates on the steps undertaken such as the diagnosis of its functionality and their communication with the suppliers.


All throughout matters of funding for initiatives, research, and publication, Banawa highlighted that the college is more than willing to extend help but apologized for its limits, underscoring that the office can only be a recommendatory body past bigger requests.


Concluding the forum, faculty and staff were enjoined to answer a survey rating the intangibles of the candidate in accordance with the rules and regulations governing the search for deans. Students will also cast their thoughts through an acceptability survey to be administered next week.