NEU College of Agriculture officially opens in Pinugay, Baras, Rizal

The New Era University University College of Agriculture in Pinugay, Baras, Rizal formally opened on Monday, January 7, 2019. (Photo courtesy NEU Multimedia Office)

(Eagle News) – The newly-opened College of Agriculture of the New Era University branch in Brgy. Pinugay, Baras, Rizal, officially started its first day of classes on Monday, January 7.

With four faculty members, the newly opened College of Agriculture started its regular classes with 37 pioneering students.

The opening of classes for the newest college of the NEU branch in Rizal was a milestone for the university as the College of Agriculture was a realization of the vision of Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ) Executive Minister Brother Eduardo V. Manalo.

“This milestone marks the beginning of the realization of the vision of our beloved Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, that a College of Agriculture be established to train the youth of the Church to become excellent agriculture leaders, managers, entrepreneurs and experts,” said College of Agriculture Dean Dr. Perigio B. Francisco Jr., in his speech on Monday, Jan. 7, during the formal opening of the college.

Some of the officials and faculty members of the newly-opened New Era University College of Agriculture in Pinugay, Baras, Rizal pose during the first day of classes of the new NEU branch. From left to right Prof. Luvimin Evangelio, program leader; Brother Malvin Cagungao, NEU Rizal HR coordinator; Dr. Perigio Francisco Jr, dean, College of Agriculture; Brother Joey Red, NEU Rizal Branch director; and teachers Prof. Jerry Cabangon, Prof. Roger Villegas, Mrs. Venice Estelendres. (Photo courtesy NEU Multimedia Office)

Dean Franciso recalled how the INC Executive Minister called on members of the Church to study agriculture to help ensure food security to fight hunger and poverty on June 30, 2017, during the dedication of the Pinugay house of worship of the INC.

In fact, the groundbreaking ceremony of the proposed College of Agriculture main building was immediately held right after the Pinugay INC House of Worship dedication.

“Together with the University Administration, I thank you – our teachers and students, for responding to this noble call of the Executive Minister,” Francisco said.

He noted how the NEU Board of Trustees had initiated talks with ambassadors of friendly foreign governments, “notably Israel, Japan and Russia” for partnerships in various agricultural projects.

The NEU College of Agriculture promises to teach students basic, practical and advanced knowledge in modern agriculture that will mold them to be effective future farm managers, productive farmers, agriculture experts, entrepreneurs, researchers, scientists and educators.

The New Era University University College of Agriculture in Pinugay, Baras, Rizal formally opened on Monday, January 7, 2019, when classes for the BS Agriculture students started. (Photo courtesy NEU Multimedia Office)

The first batch of 37 students of the College of Agriculture come from different backgrounds. The college is open to all who want to advance their knowledge in agriculture and who want to make it as their main profession.

Dean Francisco said that the newly opened NEU branch hopes to help in the poverty alleviation efforts of the government. He said that it will also help the INC to accomplish more thru agriculture, so that “agriculture may cease to be associated with poverty.”

The INC has already established several eco-farming projects and communities not only here in the Philippines, but also outside the country, particularly in South Africa, in its aim to help eradicate poverty and ensure food security.

The NEU branch in Pinugay, Baras, Rizal was granted recognition by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on September 14, 2018.

The campus is the fifth campus of NEU. The four other NEU campuses are found in Quezon City; San Fernando City, Pampanga; Lipa City, Batangas; and General Santos City.

Brother Joey Red is the NEU-Rizal branch director, while Prof. Luvimin Evangelio serves as the program head of BS Agriculture.

(Eagle News Service)