With a renewed commitment to listen, learn, and lead with humility, Dr. Enya Marie Dinglasan Apostol, Mindoro State University (MinSU) President formally reaffirmed her leadership of the institution during VINCULUM 2026: Presidential Investiture, Reaffirmation and Leadership Convergence on August 26, 2026.
Held at the University Auditorium, MinSU Victoria Campus, the milestone gathering brought together SUC Presidents and representatives across the country, government officials, Dr. Ricmar P. Aquino, Chairperson along with members of the Board of Regents, faculty and administrative personnel, students, alumni, partners, and other stakeholders to witness the formal investiture and reaffirmation of Dr. Apostol’s presidency.
More than a ceremony marking the authority of an office, VINCULUM 2026 served as a reflection on leadership, resilience, service, and the collective responsibility of building a stronger Mindoro State University.
In her address, Dr. Apostol looked back on the experiences that shaped her journey - from her early years as a teacher to the challenges and opportunities that eventually led her to the university presidency.
Rather than seeing the experience as an ending, Dr. Apostol said it became a turning point that taught her resilience and helped her discover the “Phoenix in me.”
She also recalled the phrase “Kinaya ni Doc Enya,” the title of a feature about her published by The Builders Pandayan when she was recognized as the University’s best faculty member.
“Ang tunay na pagpapakita na kaya mo ay ‘yung marunong kang bumangon, matuto, at magsimulang muli,” Dr. Apostol said, adding that today, she can say, “Kinakaya ni Pres Enya.”
When she assumed the presidency in July 2024, Dr. Apostol said she understood that leadership required more than familiarity with the institution. She spent her first days listening to key members of the University community, asking questions and learning what needed attention.
“Hindi kabawasan sa isang lider ang magsabing, ‘Hindi ko pa po alam. Tulungan ninyo po akong maintindihan,’” she said, emphasizing that leadership begins with humility and the willingness to listen.
During her first two years as president, MinSU pursued initiatives focused on student welfare, institutional development, research, community engagement, and internationalization.
Among the initiatives she highlighted were Project HAPAG (Hatid Alaga, Pagkain at Ginhawa), Project ARAWATAN, and Project SAGIP (Survival Agriculture through Green Innovation Practices), which reflect the University’s commitment to responding to the needs of its students and communities.
Dr. Apostol also noted MinSU’s growing presence in international platforms, including the World University Rankings for Innovation, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, UI GreenMetric, and Webometrics.
“Mula sa Mindoro, unti-unti nating ipinapakita sa mundo kung ano ang kaya ng isang pamantasang naglilingkod sa isang lalawigan,” she said.
She emphasized that these achievements are not the work of one person or office, but the collective contribution of MinSU’s faculty, employees, students, alumni, partners, and stakeholders.
For Dr. Apostol, the word “Vinculum,” meaning a bond or connection, captures this shared journey and responsibility.
She acknowledged, however, that MinSU’s work is far from complete. More students still need to be heard, employees supported in developing their potential, communities reached, and partnerships and opportunities pursued beyond the country.
Apostol pledged to continue listening and learning, lead with courage and humility, make difficult decisions when necessary, and protect what has been built while improving what needs to change - all toward making MinSU a University of Choice.
She also reaffirmed the values of being Mahusay, Matino, at Mabuti as guiding principles of the University’s work.
For Dr. Apostol, leadership now means more than simply learning how to rise. It means helping others rise as well.
“Dati, ang tanong ko ay kung kaya ko pa bang bumangon. Ngayon, ang tanong ko ay ilan pa ang kaya nating ibangon at isama sa pag-angat?” she asked.
She expressed confidence that this responsibility cannot be carried by one person alone.
“Hindi na lamang ito ‘Kinakaya ni Pres Enya.’ Sigurado ako, kakayanin natin ito nang sama-sama,” she said.
In this vision, the “Phoenix” of her personal journey meets the “Vinculum” of MinSU’s shared journey - one taught her how to rise again, while the other reminds the University community that people are meant to rise together.
As she continues her leadership, Apostol said she hopes to help build a MinSU that listens, cares, creates opportunities, remains rooted in Mindoro, and confidently reaches the world.
“This is our bond. This is our responsibility. This is our VINCULUM,” she said. (jdtdc)
#SDG16
302 Staff
10531 Students
9 Colleges
3 Years
