CEBU, Philippines – Southwestern University president, Dr. Eldigario Gonzales, assured the public yesterday that the school has not been disrupted by the conflict within the Aznar family.
He emphasized that all operations of the academic institution and the Southwestern University Sacred Heart Hospital continue and that the university is in good hands.
“We are law-abiding citizens in the university. We are properly supervised by the Commission on Higher Education,” Gonzales said.
“We continue to comply. We continue to strive for the accreditation of most of our programs,” he added.
Gonzales made it clear that, contrary to the article published in another local daily yesterday, “classes at the SWU are still on, everyone is performing their usual roles, and salaries for the month of April and beyond are available to everyone in the employ of Southwestern University.”
He even cited of a significant increase in the enrollment for this year’s summer term compared to all previous summers.
According to him, the increase in enrollment despite the global economic crunch shows that there is “greater confidence of the public in the management and administration of the university.”
Gonzales added that the presence of over 300 foreign students currently enrolled in the university is proof that they believe in the SWU education.
Regarding the present conflict within SWU stockholders, Gonzales said that the university is leaving all legal matters to the Aznar family. He pointed out that even if the case would be dragged on, SWU will be as stable as it is now.
Asked on whether he has met the Board of Directors headed by Emmanuel Aznar, Gonzales replied, “I don’t intend to. As president, I support the status quo.” — Karen Grace H. Yasi/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)