The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has recognized Xavier University’s Agriculture program as a Center of Excellence, and the Chemical Engineering, Literature, and Biology programs as Centers of Development.
CHED made the announcement in its Memorandum Order No 38, Series of 2015, released on December 23.
The designation of COE and CODs qualifies the said XU programs to avail of financial assistance for projects particularly in the area of cutting-edge technology. The designation is valid for three years from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018.
XU’s Agriculture program was previously declared a Center of Development in 2009. Its educational apostolate involves “an integrated program of instruction, research, extension and production which strives and is committed to the wholistic formation of students and rural leaders who will promote Sustainable Agriculture and other relevant technologies and a more equitable access to resources within the context and realities of ‘global liberalization’ and ‘grassroots people participation.’”
The Agriculture program of the university encompasses three major fields, namely, Agricultural Economics, Animal Science, and Crop Science.
Meanwhile, the Literature program of the English department provides classes on core subjects to all colleges in the undergraduate and graduate levels. The department also launched the Carayan Literary Journal on Dec 3, 2015, in celebration of the XU Festival Days.
An academic and service unit of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Biology department is committed to provide students “the foundation in the biological and related sciences through introductory and specialized courses and it trains students to engage in research, pursue graduate studies and/or prepare for a medical degree.”
Moreover, the Chemical Engineering curriculum of XU provides “a challenging academic and research environment for learning the concepts of unit processes operations, including the conceptualization, development, design, improvement and application of safe, healthy, ethical, economic and environmentally-sound ways of utilizing materials and energy.”
“We congratulate the faculty and staff of the College of Agriculture and the departments of Chemical Engineering, English Language & Literature, and Biology for their much deserved recognition,” said XU president Fr Roberto C Yap SJ in his message to the academic community.
“May their designations as Centers of Excellence and Development inspire all of us toward high-quality instruction, formation, research and social outreach. Ad majorem dei gloriam.”