With his customary smile Fr. Enrico gladly answers my request to speak of the San José Recoletos University in Cebú in the web site of the Order and explain the importance of USJ-R in human formation and evangelization in the Philippines.
Q.- Can you offer some facts to help understand the importance San José Recoletos University has in forming academically the filipino youth? Tell us about the specializations, the students, the professors, the main activities.
A.- The University follows certain standards in the continuous pursuit of academic excellence. Since the 1980s, the undergraduate and graduate programs of the University enjoy various levels of ‘ACCREDITED STATUS’ granted by the Philippine Accrediting Association for Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU). Currently, The College of Arts and Sciences, College of Commerce, College of Education, Accountancy, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Programs have been granted Level 3, ‘Accredited Status’ by PAASCU.
USJ-R is a two-time recipient of the ‘AUTONOMOUS STATUS’ award from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). The latest citation covers the academic year 2009 to 2014. (This first distinction came in 2001, ended in 2006 but was extended until 2008). The award allows the University to enjoy certain rights and privileges as a result of its “exemplary performance in the trilogy of functions of a higher education institution namely: instruction, research and public service, and in recognition of the outstanding performance of its graduates, which manifest its genuine commitment to quality, excellence and global competitiveness”, a recognition coming from the Philippine government that shows USJ-R’s quality of education is high and at par with the best in the nation today!
The entrance to the Main Campus of the University of San Jose-Recoletos always projects an imposing view. Q.- What is the specialization most sought after inUSJ-R?
A.- Bachelor of Science in Accountancy
This program is given level 3, Accredited Status by the Philippine Accrediting Association for Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU). In the May 2008 Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Licensure Examination, USJ-R is recognized by the Philippine Regulatory Commission (PRC) as the No. 1 Top Performing School (Category A-with 100 or more examinees). Recent top notchers are Jay Lord Zafra, 3rd Place in the May 2007 CPA Exam, Larianne Kristine C. Betancor, 5th Place in the May 2009 CPA Exam. There were three top notchers in the May 2010 CPA Exams through Gecel G. Codera claimed 1st Place, Niño Martin A. Juntong, 3rd Place and Mark Solatorio, 6th Place.
Bachelor of Elementary Education and Bachelor of Secondary Education
The Teacher Education program of USJ-R is recently identified and recognized as a Center for Excellence (COE) by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for “excellent performance in providing quality instruction, research and extension services.”
Information Technology
The College of Information, Computer and Communications Technology is recognized by CHED as a Center of Development in Information Technology. The College is the home of the Globe Telecom Laboratory (Globe Labs), a facility that serves as a fertile ground for students to develop new ideas and innovations for mobile technology.
Industrial Engineering
USJ-R is the only Industrial Engineering program provider outside Luzon to be recognized by CHED as Center of Development. To top it all, the students are learning from the best because all full-time faculty members are Doctorate degree holders and Professional Industrial Engineers. Members of the faculty are research-driven mentors participating in international research conferences.
Psychology
Experts participated in the development of the curriculum to make certain that graduates meet the qualifications, specifications and needs of the industry. Currently, this program has the highest student population in the College of Arts and Sciences. Many alumni are holding key positions in the industry, government and in the academe.
Mass Communications
A good number of the faculty members are practicing professionals/executives of print and broadcast media companies. The college of Arts and Sciences is the home of the state-of-the-art School-based Radio and Television Production Studio, where students are given the opportunities to develop their skills in radio broadcasting and management as well as experts in video production.
Tourism and Hospitality Management
USJ-R is the pioneer institution in Cebu and perhaps in the region that offered these programs. Right now, USJ-R is the only University in Cebu where its Tourism and Hospitality Management programs are Granted ‘Accredited Status’ by the Philippine Accrediting Association for Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU). USJ-R students are consistent winners and champions in Cebu Goes Culinary, a regional contest occurring every two years.
Basic Education
The enrolment of the Grade School and High School has been increasing for the last three years. It has two campuses, one in Basak Campus and the other is in Balamban Campus. The latter opened in School Year 2009-2010. The Basic Education at Basak Campus has been granted Level 2, ‘Accredited Status’ by the PAASCU.
Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP)
ETEEAP is an education scheme designed by the Philippine government , which allows deputized schools, like USJ-R to assess and give credit to knowledge, skills and learning obtained by individuals from non-formal and informal educational experiences like work experience, seminars and exposures. This leads to the granting of a diploma for qualified working individuals who have not earned their college degrees due to some reasons in the past. USJ-R’s ETEEAP program was awarded by CHED as the Best ETTEAP Implementor throughout the Philippines in Academic Year 2006-2007. In School Year 2007-2008, CHED recognized USJ-R as the Best Provider of the ETEEAP Program.
High School students on their way to the portals of USJ-R Balamban Campus. Social worry
Q.- How does the University contribute to the handing on of values and the góspel message?
A.- This role is best articulated in the vision statement of the University, which states: “We envision the University of San Jose-Recoletos to be a premier Gospel and community-oriented educational institution committed to transforming individuals to become more responsive leaders of the society through innovative integral formation.” This is the reason of USJ-R’s existence.
In order to achieve this vision, the institution commits to “actively infuse Gospel values into curricular offerings, continuously develop and undertake innovative curricular and research programs and provide facilities that ensure excellent quality Christian community-oriented education, tirelessly cultivate the stakeholder’s manifold gifts to enhance their holistic and full growth enabling them to become responsive leaders in the society, conscientiously integrate Augustinian Recollect charism and core values in all programs in order to live out St. Augustine’s motto of ‘Caritas et Scientia’ (Love and Knowledge) and to efficiently, effectively, and ethically implement measures to ensure economic viability and social desirability of programs.”
The University is embarking on this tremendous challenge so that every Josenian will live the institution’s core values of interiority, nationalism, service, pioneerism, integrity, reliability and excellence.
Q.- What is the Augustinian Recollect presence like in USJ-R? The number of friars, their work and activities?
A.- The Augustinian Recollect charism permeates the academic life of every Josenian. The University engages all Josenians to activities that reflect the Augustinian Recollect’s way of life. As a Catholic institution, religious education is incorporated in the curriculum. Students from these classes observe the annual ‘Religious Affair Week’ that culminates in the enthronement of the Holy Bible. Aside from the regular daily masses, special masses are held in honor to the patron saints of the Recollects. Josenians are very devoted to the Blessed Mother. Their love for Mama Mary is best expressed during the feast day of our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Students have their scapular investiture and the faculty and employees visit different charitable institutions.
The University invites all students for the annual ‘Youth Days for Jo’, a week for students to rediscover Jesus unending love for the Josenian youth. The climax of the activity is the overnight vigil, this period offers talk, sharing of life experiences, praising, confession, Taize prayer and of course the number of contests in store for the participants. The activity ends with a Holy Mass early the next day.
Education at USJ-R is community-oriented. Meaning, everyone contributes and participates to make an event successful. ‘Jesus World in Cebu, Bethlehem in Talavera’, a Christmas show at the Talavera House of Prayer-Recoletos draws thousands of visitors every time it is held. Several nights at the vicinity, Josenians recreate biblical scenes to bring visitors back to Jesus’ time.
The University has numerous community outreach projects for all Josenians to share their time, effort and blessings. They adapt a community, visit prisoners, abandoned and dying elderly, and prostituted women. Various alumni group regularly conducts medical-dental missions and raises fund to provide assistance to beneficiaries.
In the awarding ceremony of the 25th anniversary as a University of the Institution. In forefront
Q.- Could you give us a brief history of USJ-R?
Proudly standing at Magallanes street, bordered by the streets Borromeo, P. Lopez, and Leon Kilat is an institution of learning spanning 62 years of existence. Then Colegio de San Jose, the University of San Jose-Recoletos continues to fulfill its vision of providing Quality Christian Community-Oriented Education. Identified as one of the excellent schools in the Philippines, USJ-R takes pride in its excellent faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, healthy academic atmosphere, active community outreach programs, and spiritual freedom that permeates the walls of the university. USJ-R caters mostly to students coming from the Visayas and Mindanao region. Recently the school has experienced an influx of students coming from Luzon.
To keep up with the times and to meet the challenges of modernity, the College of Education and the College of Information, Computer and Communications Technology was transferred to the technology suffused St. Ezekiel Moreno Building which was inaugurated on October 22, 2005.
One of the many proofs of USJ-R’s commitment to the total development of a person is the Talavera House of Prayer-Recoletos situated at the scenic hills of Quiot, Cebu City. Established to facilitate the spiritual growth and faith enrichment of the Josenian family, ‘Talavera’ as it is popularly called has been operating since 1998.
The university has a long roster of recognitions. These awards and more bear evidence to the fact that “Only the Best is Good Enough for USJ-R” as it realizes the commitment “Breaking Barriers and Empowering Lives.”
People and professionals
Q.- What are the challenges facing USJ-R from the spiritual, cultural and psychological point of views?
The University is a second home to its thousands of students and pupils. It is the natural venue for learning, value formation and culture appreciation. But time has changed! Today’s society is fast changing and becoming more complex. The church, religion, family and schools are no longer considered as the sole transmitters of knowledge. Other sources of knowledge have come to the fore and shaped the worldview of today’s youth.
This become possible due to technological breakthroughs that led to unlimited access to information. The internet links and educates young people around the world, no doubt about that. But, inappropriate use of this tool, leads to countless abuses that are detrimental to the moral, spiritual, cultural and psychological health of the individual. The media, notably television has developed a global youth culture whose themes center on substance abuse, premarital sex, promiscuity, gangs and crime. Sadly, this all led to moral decadence, spiritual decay, self-centeredness and loose of self-esteem among young people.
On this note, one of the challenges that USJ-R is facing right now is for every student to “live out one’s life as an authentic witness of God, being maka-Diyos, makatao, makapamilya.” In today’s challenging world, the only way to keep one’s integrity intact is through “living a virtuous Christian life worthy of emulation.”
Another big challenge is on how to educate and mold its students to be faithful to the values espoused by religion, tradition and culture but at the same time be “at the forefront in the pursuit of new ideas and better ways of doing things.” One such value worth preserving is the “loyalty to one’s own country by developing a profound sense of national consciousness, appreciation of distinct culture, preservation of the environment, among other endeavors.” Economic progress is imminent if only every Filipino has the “desire to transcend oneself towards the higher levels of achievement and has the ability to respond diligently to the expectations in relation to one’s role and tasks using sound judgment.”
The present world has become highly secularized. Material wealth is man’s measure of success. In spite of this, USJ-R must not fail to teach that true happiness is found in the “willingness, availability, and readiness to share generously one’s time, resources, and expertise to the institution and to the community.”
Q.- Do you believe the charism of the Augustinian Recollects can offer new proposals that may address the spiritual hunger of today’s youth? In that sense what do you think the next General Chapter will be able to offer?
The core of the Augustinian Recollect educational apostolate is “Caritas et Scientia” or Charity and Science. USJ-R continues to exist up to this day because it believes that education is a tool not only for the transmission of knowledge, but a means to a very noble end, that is to love. It is a mission to make young people realize that going to university is not just about getting a college degree, but also making oneself a better person. Somebody who knows the truth and chooses what is good. Importantly, the search for knowledge should lead to the exercise of love.
Today, deciphering what is true knowledge has become doubly difficult due to countless definitions of reality that are bombarded to the youth. Too many unanswered questions lead to anxieties and spiritual restlessness. The Augustinian Recollect charism constantly guides the intellect so that one may know God, who is Pure Love, for the heart is restless until it rests in God!