Hon. Agrupis to graduates: 'Embrace the SDGs, Carry the NVSU Legacy'

“𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥 𝘢 𝘧𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘷𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭.”

This was the call of Hon. Shirley C. Agrupis, Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), as she addressed the graduates of Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) during its 21st Commencement Exercises held at the NVSU Gymnasium in Bayombong, today.

Her message, delivered on her behalf by CHED Regional Director for Region II Dr. Julieta M. Paras, CESO III, served as a guiding light for the graduates as they prepare to face the world beyond the university gates.

In line with the theme, “Anchoring on Our Strengths, Embodying the SDGs,” Chairperson Agrupis emphasized the graduates’ responsibility to uphold and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She encouraged them to apply the knowledge, training, and values they gained from NVSU in building a better society.

“You are graduating not just with degrees, but with a mission—a mission to use your strengths, values, and education to build a society that is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable,” she stated.

Meanwhile, University President Dr. Wilfredo A. Dumale Jr., in his message, expressed that the university is in a “celebratory mode”—not only in honoring the accomplishments of its graduates but also in marking significant institutional milestones.

“Since then, because of our untiring commitment and earnest desire for excellence, our numbers and indicators continued to improve,” Dr. Dumale said, referring to the university’s progress since he assumed office in September 2022.

He highlighted NVSU’s consistent strides in achieving its Five Developmental Goals, noting that such growth is unprecedented in the institution’s 109-year history.

Adding to the significant occasion, Abdul Salam B. Amerol, summa cum laude and class valedictorian from the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program, delivered his valedictory address, reminding his fellow graduates of the importance of giving back—not only to the university that shaped them but also to the communities that await their service.

“No matter how small, I wanted to offer something meaningful for our community,” Amerol said.

With conviction, he urged his peers to rise above personal pursuits and embrace a higher calling of service and leadership.

“Beyond this university life is not just the end of a chapter but a beginning of a deeper calling. It calls for character. It calls for courage. It calls for people who will not only dream of a better future but take the lead in building one,” he added.

Today, a total of 1,300 graduates were conferred degrees from six colleges: 121 from the College of Human Ecology (CHE), 133 from the College of Forestry, Environment and Resource Management (CFERM), 395 from the College of Teacher Education (CTE), 259 from the College of Agriculture (CAg), 177 from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), and 215 from the College of Engineering (COE).