Dr. Ronahlee A. Asuncion was formally installed as the eighth dean of the School of Labor and Industrial Relations (SOLAIR) at affirmation rites on Dec. 16 at the School’s Isabelo delos Reyes Auditirium.
Popularly known as George, Asuncion is the third woman to head the school. She comes after Associate Justice Flerida Ruth Romero, who was director when the school was known as Asian Labor Education Center director (1962-1963), and Dean Marie E. Aganon (1992-1995). Asuncion’s expertise is organization studies, organizational communication and public policy.
In her affirmation message, the new dean underscored her 10-point agenda for SOLAIR, putting premium on academic concerns as the enhancement of current academic offerings and faculty development, curricular review, increase in student enrollment, recruitment of highly qualified faculty, and school expansion at UP Bonifacio Global City.
Asuncion said she envisions for a One SOLAIR, a “SOLAIR that practices organizational citizenship towards honor and excellence.”
Her agenda for SOLAIR also includes strengthening support to research work, acquisition of equipment, a service vehicle and library materials and improvement of facilities including the installation of wifi in classrooms and rehabilitation of the their building. She is likewise planning to strengthening of the SOLAIR centers as Center for Labor and Grassroots Initiatives, Center for Labor Justice and Center for Industry Competitiveness and Productivity and resource generation through review of tuition and use of facilities, broaden network and strengthen relations with stakeholders.
Asuncion added she plans to work on creating a culture of ‘oneness’ or teamwork and workplace harmony for human resources/organizational efficiency at SOLAIR, student welfare and services and continued extension services via support to the SOLAIR on AIR at DZUP and training services and assistance to government, private sector and non-government organizations, trade unions, cooperatives and other stakeholders in need.
At the dean’s affirmation rites, former SOLAIR dean and Asuncion’s colleague and mentor Dr. Jose C. Gatchalian expressed his hope that SOLAIR in Asuncion’s term be renamed to the College of Labor Employment and Relations (CLEAR) to dissociate itself with the known establishment of the hospitality industry.
The new dean also introduced her Executive Committee: Prof. Maria Catalina M. Tolentino (College Secretary), Dr. Virgel C. Binghay (Coordinator, Graduate Studies Program), Atty. Rosalio A. Aragon (Director, Center for Labor Justice and Director, Center for Labor and Grassroots Initiatives) and Dr. Emily Christi A. Cabegin (Director, Center for Industry Productivity and Competitiveness).