With the ratification of the UP Charter:
Villar expects UP's rise in the int'l education system

Senate President Manny Villar expressed confidence that the ratification of the new University of the Philippines Charter will pave the way for the elevation of the standing of the country's premier national university in the international community.

Villar, who was cited as the Most Outstanding UP Alumnus in 1991 and Most Distinguished UP Alumnus in 2004, said, "I look forward to the reinvigoration and elevation of the University of the Philippines to the top list of prestigious universities in Asia."

"We would like to see UP students and graduates make their mark in the global sphere, armed with the necessary skills and know-how enhanced at a world-class State University," The Nacionalista Party president said.

The new charter exempts the State University from the Salary Standardization Law to enable it to offer and pay competitive rates to its teaching staff.

It also gives UP 100 million every year for the next five years beginning 2009 to form the Centennial Fund, which will be over and above the regular appropriations to the university and donations.

The measure also provides for the representation of various sectors to the Board of Regents, UP's governing body.

Villar was a working student at UP where he obtained his undergraduate degree in accountancy and masters degree in business administration.