Aside from this initial success, the number of engineers and even non-engineers that were trained by NEC rose exponentially. The range of courses that the NEC was offering expanded. The links between the NEC’s projects and the COE’s graduate programs were also formalized. There are two NEC programs that are linked to the COE’s graduate programs. “One is with the National Electrification Administration and our Energy Engineering program, and the other one with the Philippine Constructors Association and the Civil Engineering program. With that last one, the COE also gained something from that engagement because the CE program now includes a Construction Management program, which we didn’t have before,” Dean Gev explained.
On April 16, 2004, the NEC building was inaugurated as Juinio Hall, after Dean Alfredo L. Juinio.
Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, Ph.D. Executive Director, 2004 to July 2010
When asked what she expects of the center in the next three years, “I want all the centers of the college, not only the NEC but the centers under it, to be able to support research grants, travel grants for conferences, professorial chairs, etc. They have to be able to give back to the college, like the NEC is starting to do now.”
Aura C. Matias, Ph.D. Executive Director, August 2010 to present
The NEC has become, in Dean Gev’s own words, a “lean, mean machine” with people who have a passion to serve and to succeed. And it was made possible under the kind of leadership—fearless, visionary, and uncompromising—that these men and women exercised. This leadership is matched only by the dedication and hard work of the NEC staff.
The UP NEC Now
Dr. Aura C. Matias assumed office as the new Dean of the UP College of Engineering on August 2010. She consequently returned to NEC, now as its Executive Director. She envisions NEC to be the leader not just in providing professional training but to be “the hub of engineering innovations and technology”. Under the leadership of Dean Matias, the NEC will be able to fulfill its mission to provide expanding resources of technical expertise, solutions and information in partnership with government, industry and academe for accelerated national development and well-being.