“Any individual can make it in the real world with the right education and training,” said Dr. Henry O. Chusuey.
The University of San Agustin held the blessing of its newest building – the USA Dr. Henry O. Chusuey International Center yesterday, 7 March 2020, at the Hotel Sta. Monica, University of San Agustin, Jalandoni St., Iloilo City. The event was graced by the benefactor of the building, Dr. Henry O. Chusuey, and his family and friends.
Chusuey is an internationally-acclaimed hotelier in the country being the chairman of the Hennan Group of Resorts in Boracay, Bohol, and Palawan.
“I want to do all I can to contribute to the improvement of our educational facilities. This is how confident I am with the belief that the Filipino can make it in any industry as long as they are educated and trained the right way,” shared Dr. Chusuey during his speech.
Being a graduate of the University of San Agustin in the Bachelor of Science in Commerce program, Chusuey earned his way to be where he is today. In 2013, he was conferred with a degree Doctor of Humanities (Honoris Causa) in recognition of his contribution to the hospitality and tourism industry in the Philippines.
“Together with my family, I am happy to see the realization of my dream to help provide the Filipino and Augustinian youth with the best learning environment in the pursuit of their career goals. This center is a testament of my commitment to the belief that the best way to help our young people, particularly those coming from the underprivileged families, is to provide for their education,” he added.
Chusuey’s donation gave the seed money for the construction of the University of San Agustin of the international center where he earned the naming right to.
“Having been in the hospitalization and tourism industry for over 20 years, I know that actual practice and training are vital to be competent individuals working in the industry. And with this international center, a teaching hotel and restaurant, it is my goal to bridge the gap between the academic curriculum and the realities of the hospitality and tourism industry. I share the objective of the University to make the graduates of the University of San Agustin ready and well-equipped to apply with competence and professionalism what they have learned in school,” he further mentioned.
Seeing that tourism is a major economic driver, he believes that it is what makes jobs as it creates employment opportunities for thousands of graduates produced every year by the institutions like San Agustin. According to him, jobs in tourism and hospitality, generally, has a higher compensation compared to other industries because they have a service charge, incentive bonus and of course, tips from tourists.
USA’s benefactor emphasized that this building(USA Dr. Henry O. Chusuey International Center) is named as an international center with an emphasis on the word international because he desires to help his Alma Mater to meet global standards. That through this modern facility, his fellow Augustinian graduates will be competitive in the international arena and that they will stand out because they have been given the best training with strengths, competence, and character of virtue and science.
He further hoped that this building will be used optimally for its intended noble purpose. He also mentioned that he has great trust in the responsible stewardship of the university administrators to ensure that this facility will be taken care of so that it will benefit not only this generation, but many more generations in the future.
The University of San Agustin President, Fr. Frederick C. Comendador, OSA, thanked on behalf of the Augustinian academic community Dr. Chusuey and his family for the generous donation and assured them that this will not be put to waste for it will serve as a laboratory for the hospitality and tourism management students and allied courses. Particularly, he also acknowledged those who have largely contributed to the establishment of this newest facility.
On the other hand, Dr. Chusuey publicly expressed this continued support to his Alma Mater, the “great” University of San Agustin.
The blessing rite was led by the Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, Fr. Alejandro Moral Anton, OSA, who is in Iloilo alongside with other English-speaking prior provincials in the world for their assembly, as well as Mr. Ramon Cua Locsin, Member of the Board of Trustees for the University, and Augustinian friars from the different communities in the country, as well as the management council of the University and the benefactor’s family and friends.The international center will operate in the future as Hotel Sta. Monica, named after the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo.