Tarlac State University’s first alumni-sponsored solar charging station is set to be built at the Lucinda Campus following a ceremonial groundbreaking this morning (December 18).
Funded by the TSU Alumni Association Inc. (TSUAAI), the solar charging station will be erected at the Alumni Park and Mini-Forest, which the students could use.
Students would no longer worry about running out of batteries for their gadgets whenever they prepare for their projects and homework with the help of the charging station equipped with solar panels.
Set to launch in March 2024, the project will offer seating for six individuals and an LED TV for university announcements.
The solar charging station is part of an extension project titled Solar Sparks: Igniting Devices with Clean Energy in partnership with the university’s Office of Alumni Affairs and Center for Solar and Emerging Technologies.
TSUAAI President Hon. Reynaldo Catacutan thanked the OAA, TSUAAI executive board, and college alumni coordinators for supporting the project.
“Masasabi natin na nasa tamang pangangalaga ang pera ng TSUAAI. Binabalik natin sa mga scholars through financial assistance at binabalik din natin sa mga estudyante sa pamamagitan ng proyektong ito,” Hon. Catacutan said.
The alumni president envisions building more solar charging stations on every TSU campus with the support of international and local chapters, according to OAA Director Dr. Winston F. Abalos.
Meanwhile, the university administration, represented by Presidential Assistant Dr. Brigido B. Corpuz and Office of Facilities Development and Management Director Ar. Arlen Guieb, committed its full support to the project and plans that will benefit the university’s stakeholders, noting that TSU President Dr. Arnold E. Velasco extends the same support to this endeavor.
TSUAAI and TSU formally sealed the partnership through a memorandum of agreement signed on the same day.
The OAA also organized a year-end thanksgiving party for the TSU AAI and alumni chapter scholars to celebrate the milestones and blessings received this year.
“Mahalin niyo ang mga magulang niyo dahil kung wala kayong magulang, walang magpapaaral sa inyo. Mahalin ninyo ang mga taga-TSU dahil sila ang mga kumakalinga sa inyo habang nasa TSU kayo. Mahalin niyo ang mga taga-Alumni dahil kahit sa papaanong paraan, nakakapag-abot kami sa inyo,” Hon. Catacutan said.
Angelica Lalu, a batch 2023 graduate and TSU USA Alumni Chapter scholar who recently passed the nursing board examinations, attended the gathering.
23-year-old Lalu expressed her gratitude to the OAA and TSUAAI for the financial assistance and support from her college years to the board examination.
“Si mama po isang fish vendor. Naapektuhan po talaga kami noong pandemic. Talagang walang-wala po. Minsan sa isang araw hindi kami kumakain tapos nursing student pa ako...Nang dahil sa alumni scholarship, napagaan po ‘yung pagiging nursing student ko. Ngayon, registered nurse na po ako,” Lalu said.
More than 20 full scholars and grantees received Noche Buena packages and meals.
