UNIVERSITY of Southeastern Philippines (Usep) had its ground breaking ceremony for the seven-storey Multimedia Learning Resource Center on Friday, July 21, with hopes of making it as the first globally-connected library in Mindanao.
Usep Physical Development Division head Florencio Chua said the 991-square meter building will be having two glass elevators, two mezzanines, a roof deck, and function halls.
Engineer Chua added that the learning center has a 1,000 sitting capacity for the students, teachers, and even for researchers outside the campus.
Usep Director of Libraries Doctor Maychelle Nugas said the current library of the university has always failed to pass the standards of Commission on Higher Education (Ched) as it requires university libraries to accommodate at least 10 to 15 percent of the total student population.
She said Usep can only accommodate two percent of the student population with its current library.
"With the establishment of this seven-storey learning center we plan to conserve local histories by connecting with other libraries in Mindanao. And also to become a member of Online Computer Library Center to connect with other libraries in the whole world," Nugas said.
Doctor Lourdes Generalao, Usep president, expressed her gratitude to Representative Karlo Nograles for granting the university a budget of P90 million for the first two floors of the building.
Nograles assured the university that he and his brother, Koko, will find a way to support the P250 million remaining budget to fully complete the building.
"As a chairman of the Committee of Appropriation, I saw that the university's plan to build this multimedia learning center is important because, for me, the role of the university is research. Thus, I immediately agreed to provide funds for this establishment," Nograles said.
Nograles family, headed by then House Speaker Prospero Nograles, also sponsored a Sports Complex in Usep, the largest gymnasium in the city.
At present, Nugas said the building is still under thorough discussion for the design, facilities, and the whole scope of the building. The bidding for the contractors will be this coming September.