By Eric D. Morguia, Jr.
The University will prioritize “bright yet financially challenged” students for the Juris Doctor degree; however, those “who can afford” can still be accepted, President Joselito F. Villaruz assures the public.
Pres. Villaruz said that the slots for the Law program is not only for those “bright” students who cannot afford to enroll in a law school, even though “it’s part of the screening criteria.”
“We will also get to accept students who might not be financially challenged, but they’re very, very good students,” Villaruz clarified to Forum-Dimensions.
He explained that “It’s not that it’s very exclusive that we will not accept those who can afford.”
In his investiture ceremony in January, the newly-installed University president announced the set opening of the College of Law in August.
“The College of Law shall observe a strict admissions process to accept only the best students,” he said in his speech.
‘ALMOST’ SET
According to Dr. Villaruz, the Legal Education Board (LEB) has identified three “minor physical non-compliances” in their last school visit: presence of a moot court, provision of air-conditioned units in the classrooms, and improvement of the stairs in the Quezon Hall.
However, he believes that “by addressing that problem, we’re ready for another visit probably [in] April to finalize the awarding of the government authority to open the Doctor in Juris program.”
“In terms of curriculum and all, I think we are in place,” he added.
FIRST PUBLIC LAW SCHOOL IN WV
Once the LEB gives its go signal, West Visayas State University will be the first state-funded higher education institution to offer the law course in Western Visayas.
Currently, there are five Law schools in the region, and all are private-owned: University of San Agustin (Iloilo City), Central Philippine University (Iloilo City), Aklan Catholic College (Aklan), University of St. La Salle (Bacolod City), and Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion (Roxas City).
“We will probably be the last law school to open because a moratorium has been set starting January,” he said.
Source: Forum Dimensions
