The Office of the Vice President for Research, Extension, and Innovation (OVPREI) staff organized a Turnover Ceremony on June 6, 2024, at 3:00 PM at the Philrootcrops Audio Visual Room. New directors were appointed and reappointed for Research, Extension, and Innovation. Highlighting the event was the transition of the REI Vice President, who also holds the Director position for Visayas Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Program (ViCARP).
Despite the many changes surrounding the office, whether concerning leadership or the physical location, Dr. Antonio P. Abamo, the reappointed director for extension, officially opened the event with a warm message. He emphasized the importance of embracing the change in leadership and expressed his hope that everyone would give the new directors the same support given to the former directors. The ceremony continued with the symbolic Turnover of the Key of Responsibility. In the absence of Dr. Rose Ophelia Velarde, VSU President, Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes graciously proxied and presented the Key of Responsibility to the newly appointed Research Director, Dr. Ivy C. Emnace.
Professor Alan B. Loreto entrusted the key of responsibility to Dr. Feliciano Sinon, marking the official transition in the Innovation Office. Dr. Antonio P. Abamo was acknowledged as the reappointed director for research. Finally, Dr. Dennis P. Peque relinquished the key to Dr. Santiago T. Peña, Jr., signifying the handover of the combined leadership of the Office of the Vice President for Research, Extension, and Innovation (OVPREI) and of course, the ViCARP Directorship.
Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes, the VSU President gave an inspirational message to the OVPREI staff and directors. It was shortly followed by the responses of the directors: first Dr. Sinon, then Dr. Emnace, and, finally, Dr. Peña.
In keeping with the spirit of Dr. Yepes’ message, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” her favorite African Proverb, the event concluded with a photo opportunity and refreshments served afterward. Everyone is hoping that OVPREI will reach far more heights, working collaboratively to achieve its goals.