8 years to 100!
In commemorating its 92nd foundation anniversary, Northwestern University embraces the theme “Visions of Victory: Pioneering the Future.” This theme is a powerful catalyst, driving the Northwestern community to turn visionary plans into reality. As we celebrate this milestone, let the spirit of victory prevail by turning obstacles to opportunities and paving a course to the future defined by innovation and excellence.
NWU President Nicolas on “Pioneering the Future”
“My fellow Northwesternians, pioneering is in our tradition. It is part of our legacy. It is part of who we are,” NWU President Ferdinand Nicolas declared during the opening ceremony last January 25, 2024 attended by students, faculty, administration, and some guests.
This year’s 92nd Foundation Anniversary theme is “Visions of Victory: Pioneering the Future.” The president provided a historical backdrop of NWU’s founders as pioneers, while enumerating some of the institutions “firsts”:
– Founders established the first private, non-sectarian school in Ilocos Norte
– The first and still the only private university in the province
– The first to offer Bachelor of Laws in 1947
– The first internet provider in the province
– The first—and for many years—the only ISO-certified institution north of San Fernando, La Union
– The first to establish an internationally recognized botanical garden in Northern Luzon
– Only last year, the first to be granted a UNESCO Chair in the Philippines
From looking back, he highlighted the present. “Now we see more and more students receive their training and OJT abroad,” he said, enumerating some of the programs that offer training in Europe, the United States, Australia, and ASEAN countries.
“We are constantly searching for ways to enhance the educational experience with internalization and information technology,” he added, “to give you the best possible opportunities for learning that we can provide. That is our commitment to you, our dear students.”
Moving toward the future, he asked, “Now, it’s your turn. What is your frontier? What is your uncharted territory?” Then gave the challenge:
“I dare you, my fellow Northwesternians, to pioneer and make your dreams a reality. We are here to help you on your journey. It will be difficult and it will entail sacrifice. But in the end, by God’s grace, we will prevail if we persevere.”
