State scholars convene in leadership summit

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. University Scholars Association of the Philippines president Randymax Bulaquit shares his insights during the 3rd USAP International Mentoring and Coaching Convention on Friday (Nov. 15, 2019). He cited the importance of the summit in bringing state scholars’ leadership skills to a higher level. (PNA photo by Gil Calinga)

MANILA — University scholars from all over the country engaged in a three-day summit in Manila to enhance their leadership skills.

“We wanted them to have the proper mindset through education and recreation. As scholars, they have our trust that they act in their best behavior all the time. This summit teaches them to be ideal students and responsible citizens,” said Dr. Randymax Bulaquit, University Scholars Association in the Philippines (USAP) chair.

The summit, organized by USAP, which envisions to be the premier notional scholars’ organization in transformative leadership and educational excellence, welcomed 43 scholars from various state universities in the country along with 84 professionals composed of school directors, faculty staff, and department heads.

The 3rd USAP International Mentoring and Coaching Convention, which also coincides with the 4th founding anniversary of the association which ran on Nov.

12 to 14, is among the bucket list of students seeking bigger learning opportunities.

Second-year AB Political Science student Sydney Joseph Torrenueva from Bicol University in Legazpi City, Albay, shared that he wants to share his takeaways from the speakers to his friends and schoolmates through conducting seminars and workshops.

“I learned that we have the power to align our mindset to our goals, we just have to set our target and focus on it, I will conduct trainings to my schoolmates to share what I have learned,” Torrenueva said.

The program, he said, also showcased insights on taking on jobs after graduating college.

“The speakers also gave me an idea that after graduation, a glamorous job is not expected, it is the first step of a new ladder we are climbing and just like all the firsts, it will be hard but it will pay off with patience,” he added.

University of Santo Tomas (UST) faculty advisor, Dr. Ezra Aguilar said the summit is a good chance to expand the students’ network with other scholars and professors from different universities.

“This is an avenue to prepare these scholars for what to expect when they start their own career and to be an effective person,” she said.

UST’s Becarious de Santo Tomas formerly organizes these scholar gatherings for seven years until USAP, a duly registered association in the Securities and Exchange Commission, was formed and officially took over.