An alumnus of the Bicol University College of Business Economics and Management (CBEM) Department of Accountancy topped the October 2009 licensure examinations for Certified Public Accountants. Ivan Rhett Villacampa Macabeo of Guinobatan, Albay got a rating of 91.71% and became the exam topnotcher together with Romelyn Manset Carpio of De La Salle University – Lipa, who also garnered a rating of 91.71%.

The Aquinas University of Legazpi (AUL) has implemented a project dubbed “Urban Agriculture through the High-Value Commercial Crops Techno-Demo Farm” within its expansive campus here. The project features 60-square-meter greenhouse where vegetables highly sensitive to rain and changes in temperature like broccoli, lettuce, cauliflower and honeydew melon are being propagated.

The province of Albay has appropriated the second highest budgetary allocation to the education sector, next to its health program. This year, Albay’s budget for its education program is P58 million, which it has properly divided among different projects.

Albay Governor Joey Salceda announced Wednesday that the province is adopting the Australian model on Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) starting school year 2009-2010 with an initial fund of P16 million. Under this program, those who enroll in Bicol University main campus and Albay-based private colleges can apply with the Education Quality for Albayanos (EQUAL) for a loan of P5,000 per semester for every semester for the entire course.

The Aquinas University of Legazpi took home the People’s Choice Award for Best School Website at the 11th Philippine Web Awards ceremonies in Makati City last Friday, February 27, 2009. The AQ website bested several other nominees in the Best School Website to clinch the title via SMS and online voting. The Philippine Web Awards or the “PWA” is given annually to honor the best Filipino-made websites, their designers and developers.