Armed with the fitting story from the novel Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell, which was about an Italian community in America who showed the rest of the country that the secret to a long life was good relationships with  others, Dr. Fay M. Lauraya went around the different offices, colleges, and campuses of Bicol University to bring home her Christmas message of success as an institution through camaraderie among co-workers.

Dr. Lauraya untiringly visited unit after unit as they each made their year-end assessments and celebrated their Christmas parties in more intimate settings, unlike last year’s university-wide gathering.  She emphasized in each message that good relationships within the workplace is the secret for each office to work hard together and support each other to achieve their goals.

 

The Provincial Government of Albay, in partnership with Bicol University and the Department of Education, held the culminating activity for Gawad Albay sa Edukasyon through the awards ceremonies held December 23 at the Albay Astrodome. Efren Peñaflorida Jr., 2009 CNN Hero of the Year, was Guest of Honor.

Gawad Albay sa Edukasyon is a province-wide Performance Award system which identifies principals, teachers, and students who excel in their chosen field based on given standards.  This project was introduced by the Provincial Government of Albay through  Education Quality for Albayanos (EQUAL) in 2008, with the aim of improving performance in  the education sector.  It is meant as a motivating factor as well as a  way of recognizing  outstanding achievements among students and educators alike.

The Bicol University is a premier university in the Bicol Region. It embraces the four pillars of Scholarship, Character, Leadership, and Service. It adheres to the highest standards of conduct and ethical practice.

“Yesterday is history; tomorrow is a mystery; but today is a gift:  that’s why it’s called the PRESENT.”  These words from the heartwarming animated film, Kung-fu Panda set off the start-of-Christmas message given by President Fay Lauraya during the Christmas Tree lighting ceremonies held December 1 at Bicol University.  She called upon everyone present, especially addressing the students, to seize each day and make the most of it, treating it as the gift that it is.

Rona Atutubo Despabiladeras, a graduate of Bicol University College of Education (BUCE) grabbed the 6^th place in the nationwide Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) held October 2009.  Despabiladeras earned a rating of 89.40 % in the Secondary Level category of the examination.  She is a Physics major. 

Because of all these achievements, Bicol University has been recognized as a Top Performing School in the country, though as such, it is also given a greater challenge to perform equally well in the coming years

During the recently concluded Regional SCUAA 2009 Athletic Competition in Naga City , Bicol University ’s strong and energetic athletes once again bagged the honor of being the over-all champion. Except for 2004 when BU did not participate in the competitions due to a typhoon in their province, the institution has consistently brought home the title of SCUAA Regional Champion.

Bicol University Graduate School (BUGS) celebrated its 38th Founding Anniversary last September 26, 2009. The festivity was a part of Bicol University’s grand celebration of its 40th Foundation Anniversary.

In line with the 40th anniversary of the Bicol University , the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy sponsored the Dedication of the Founders Park on September 21, 2009 at 2:30 in the afternoon in front of the General Administration building, BU main campus. The said activity was held in honor of the three Bicolano lawmakers who spearheaded the establishment of the premier university in the region, namely: Hon. Jose M. Alberto, Hon. Dominador R. Aytona, and Hon. Carlos R. Imperial, who, forty years ago, felt the need for the founding of a university that would meet the needs of the young Bicolanos.

The day started on a rather dreary note despite the enthusiasm of some. Few sensitive souls would have noticed that. The personnel were quite engrossed in friendly banters and expectant of news that the skeptical said would never come. It sounded like forty, or something. At any rate, the celebrant, the Rev. Father de los Santos did not fail to detect the restlessness, the agitation as the believers of good luck flooded the registration table all wanting their names written on a sheet of paper for what would be the raffle draw in the afternoon. This unintended lapse in behavior might have crossed the good priest. A pre-sermon ensued. Good, because everyone learned the value of subtle discipline. And in time, everyone readied themselves for the holy celebration which was quite successful in its attempt to subdue the lure of the material.