The Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) community extends its warmest birthday greetings to Dr. Lora L. Yusi, Director IV of the Office of the Institutional Quality Assurance and Governance (OIQAG), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as she celebrates her special day today.
The University, under the leadership of President Dr. Silverio Ramon DC. Salunson, joins in celebrating her life and her significant contributions to advancing quality assurance and good governance in Philippine higher education.
Dr. Yusiโs steadfast commitment to strengthening academic standards and institutional excellence continues to inspire higher education institutions across the country to pursue transformative and globally competitive education. As she marks another meaningful milestone, the entire TAU community celebrates with her and wishes her continued good health, happiness, and success in her endeavors.
Students and faculty members from the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) and the College of Education (CEd) of Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) energize the campus with lively Zumba routines as they spearhead the Student Wellness Program on 6 February 2026, at the Laboratory School (LS) Covered Court.
The activity is spearheaded by the Sociocultural Development Office (SDO) in coordination with CVM and CEd Student Council officers, faculty members, and Sociocultural Coordinators Dr. Mc Joe D. Lagula and Mr. Pastor V. Ambat III. Other student organizations, including the Rodeo Club, Venerable Knight Veterinarians Fraternity (VKV), and Venerable Lady Veterinarians Sorority (VLV) - IOTA Chapter, Veterinary Student Achieversโ Society (VSAS), and the CVM Cliniciansโ Club, also lead energetic dance routines that encourage active participation from students across the University.
This initiative promotes student well-being while creating opportunities for social interaction, physical activity, and stronger campus engagement among learners from different colleges. Through upbeat music and dynamic dance movements, students enjoy a refreshing break from their academic routines while strengthening camaraderie and school spirit.
Pursuing academic excellence and continuous institutional improvement, the Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) College of Education (CEd) - Laboratory School (LS) led by its principal, Dr. Milani C. Petero, conducts benchmarking activities in various institutions on 23 and 26 February, including Central Luzon State University (CLSU) Laboratory for Teaching and Learning, and Don Bosco Technical Institute โ Tarlac and Maliwalo National High School.
As part of the benchmarking initiative, TAU delegates engage in collaborative discussions and campus tours. Classroom observations are also conducted during the visits, allowing them to gain firsthand insights into instructional practices and the learning environment that supports effective teaching and learning styles.
These activities support the Laboratory Schoolโs ongoing preparations for the full implementation of the revised curriculum in the coming school year, reinforcing its commitment to quality education and continuous improvement.
Strengthening the initiatives for gender equality and womenโs empowerment in the University, Dr. Ma Theresa B. Nardo, Director of Gender and Development (GAD) office of Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) joined the 2nd Southeast Asian Womenโs Summit and the 8th National Womenโs Summit on 2-3 March at the Innovation Center of Miriam College in Quezon City.
Organized by the Women and Gender Institute (WAGI) of Miriam College, the summit gathered women leaders, scholars, policymakers, and civil society representatives from across Southeast Asia. The event carries the theme, โASEAN Leadership and Regional Cooperation: Where are the Women?โ and includes plenary dialogues and parallel sessions that discussed womenโs roles in ASEAN leadership, governance, and peace-building.
Dr. Nardo was joined by Dr. Marianne P. Villaruel, External Linkages and International Affairs (ELIA) Director, and Ms. Erika R. Prado, GAD Focal Point System (GFPS) member. They participated in the collaborative discussions led by speakers from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Women and Children.
International scholars and women advocates also talked about womenโs leadership, feminist knowledge, and regional collaboration on gender equality.
The said event helped the University to strengthen its regional collaboration on gender equality, womenโs leadership and policy engagement across Southeast Asia. Through the participation of its GAD representatives, TAU gains insights from regional experts and institutions that can help enhance gender-responsive programs, research, and community initiatives within the University.
โThe summit called for leadership and cooperation among women, and we had been asked where our women leaders were today. Our response echoes our determination to take action on issues that beset our communities. This happens when we no longer identify problems but work on solutions amid the challenges in the organizations where each leader belongs,โ said Dr. Nardo.
Dr. Nardo also highlighted that the summit provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge and reinforce collaboration with regional gender advocates.
Laying the groundwork for a significant leap in global academic standing, the members of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) held a meeting at the Office of the President Conference Room on 12 February 2026, to strategize for the UI Greenmetric World University Rankings 2026 and for the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE WUR) 2027.
The session opened with a comprehensive synthesis of previous results presented by Mr. Jerome L. Duque, Information Officer III. He clarified that TAUโs current standing is a direct reflection of the data provided by various units. Mr. Duque also noted that while the university made strides in improving energy, water, and transportation metrics for the UI GreenMetric last year, a lower volume of research output remains a key reason the university's ranking has lagged.ย
โA major highlight of the meeting was the presentation of a structured framework by Dr. Sheila R. Lingaya, Assistant Director of External Linkages and International Affairs (ELIA). She introduced a document mapping out the specific indicators and evidence required for the upcoming ranking cycle, while urging the group to maintain open communication to ensure a unified approach. Consequently, Dr. Lingaya shared about a monitoring dashboard designed to keep the entire TAU community informed about the universityโs environmental footprint, specifically by tracking real-time data on waste and water consumption.
The group also discussed TAUโs current status as one of the few "Reporter" institutions in Region III. Dr. Lingaya remarked that while the university did not yet meet the eligibility criteria for a full rank, holding "Reporter" status confirms TAU's initial step toward meeting future ranking criteria โ an active participation and paves the way for full ranking in the coming years.
In line with this, the group discussed practical green initiatives such as the newly implemented "Carfree Friday" and the "DocTrax" system, which Mr. Duque praised for drastically reducing paper waste through digital document sharing.
To also ensure better collaboration with the administration, Mr. Sonny A. Santos, University Board Secretary V, highlighted the need for the Administrative Council (AdCo) to be actively involved in these technical strategies, a sentiment the members strongly supported. In which, Dr. Mariane P. Villaruel, Director for ELIA, mentioned that she serves as the representative of the Administrative Council, emphasizing a "bottom-up" approach to ensure that the TWG membersโ efforts will reach top leadership.
In closing, Dr. Villaruel summarized the key takeaways and provided clarifications on the next steps. The meeting successfully transformed raw data into a unified action plan, ensuring TAUโs journey toward a higher world ranking is organized, sustainable, and supported at every level of university leadership.
