NEUST launches Governance Forum 2025 to advance ethical leadership and innovative public administration

The Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) Graduate School Public Administration Program launched the first installment of the Governance Forum 2025, a four-part lecture series themed “Exploring Innovative Public Administration,” on March 1, 2025, at the Mini Convention Center, NEUST Sumacab Campus.

The forum aims to provide a platform for discourse on contemporary governance challenges and solutions, equipping students, faculty, and the broader community with the knowledge and insights necessary to foster an inclusive and just society.

In her message, NEUST President Dr. Rhodora Jugo underscored the need for responsive governance amid rapid societal changes, stating, “The world is changing rapidly, and with it comes the need for governance that is not only efficient but also compassionate and responsive to the needs of the people.”

Dr. Jugo emphasized that innovation in public administration is no longer an option but a necessity, urging students to challenge outdated practices, advocate for meaningful change, and commit to governance that listens, learns, adapts, and innovates.

The event featured Dr. Ronald Adamat, former CHED Commissioner, Indigenous Peoples Champion, policymaker, and public administrator, who delivered a talk on “Policy Making for Inclusive Governance: Education, Indigenous Peoples, and Social Justice.”

Dr. Adamat outlined the role of education in promoting inclusive governance, highlighting policies on Indigenous Peoples’ rights and social justice as critical to achieving a more equitable society while providing insights into policy design and implementation to ensure the inclusion of marginalized groups, particularly Indigenous communities, in governance and education systems.

“If you know how to influence, inspire, and motivate people, you are a leader. If you know how to plan, organize, and mobilize people, you are a manager. But it is better to be both a leader and a manager,” Dr. Adamat remarked.

Organized by the Graduate School, headed by its Dean, Dr. Jocelyn Cruz, through the initiative of the Public Administration Program, chaired by Dr. Vilma Ramos, the forum was attended by doctorate and master’s degree students from the Public Administration, Business Administration, Educational Management, and Engineering Management programs, as well as students from the College of Public Administration and Disaster Management (CPADM).

Also present were Dr. Jean Guillasper, Vice President for Research, Extension, and Training; Dr. Marilou Pascual, Director of the Training Services Department; Ms. Leidi Mel Sicat, Provincial Director of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Nueva Ecija; and faculty and staff from CPADM and the Graduate School.

Through initiatives like Governance Forum 2025, NEUST reaffirms its commitment to ethical leadership and good governance by fostering meaningful discussions, promoting innovative approaches to public administration, and shaping future leaders dedicated to transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.

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