Another milestone has been added to the annals of the Calayan Educational Foundation, Inc. as Lyceum Northwestern University, a leading and deregulated institution through its president, Dr. Gonzalo T. Duque conferred the degree of Doctor in Humanities, Honoris Causa to CEFI President Atty. Ronaldo Antonio DV Calayan February 28 at the Queen Margarette Court.

Atty. Calayan was bestowed this rare distinction in recognition of his outstanding dedication and service and continuing contribution to the academe and the community. A practicing lawyer, he was one of the youngest to ever assume presidency in an academic institution. He also distinguished himself as a civic leader through his unstinting work with the Rotary International and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines.

Headed by CHED officials and L-NU administrators, the conferment ceremonies was attended by academicians, community, civic and business leaders of the province. DR.EVELYN L. PASCUA, Director IV of CHED RO-1 read the authority of conferment from the Office of the President. The Resolution of the Board of Trustees of Lyceum Northwestern University and the Citation were read by LNU Graduate School Dean, Dr. Romana Fabregas and Academic Affairs Director, Dr. Norma Maria Rutab respectively. CEFI Executive Vice president Dr. Fernando Roel Flancia delivered the welcome remarks while Dr. Lydia Batanes, Dean of the College of Education formally introduced the honoree. Dean Karen Cusi of the College of Arts and Sciences was master of ceremonies.

A testimonial program was held right after the conferment ceremonies.

Barely a month after passing the rigid accreditation process and making it as the first and only PACUCOA accredited Nursing school in the province, CEFI has once again asserted its presence in the academic community with a casting coup!

In what can be described as a major breakthrough, Dr. Jaime M. Buzar, one of the most renowned names in the national academic scene, joined CEFI as Chief Operating Officer, effective Apr. 16, 2009.

The decision to include Dr. Buzar as head of the administration roster stemmed from the conviction of Pres. Ronaldo Antonio Calayan that he (Buzar) will be a key figure in the institution's ambition to attain the status of university.

Together with the massive infrastructure-building and new course offerings, Dr. Buzar's entry indicates CEFI's resolute determination to achieve this in record time.

Dr. Buzar's involvement and influence in the development of higher education extends over three decades on a nationwide scale. As a commissioner and later vice-chair of the PACUCOA, he spearheaded the accreditation of schools throughout the archipelago. His hand is unmistakable in the formulation and improvement of national accreditation policies. He also happens to be the man behind the most successful implementation of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), a special program granting full tertiary degrees to working undergraduates.

Prior to his appointment as COO of CEFI, Dr. Buzar was President of the University of the Cordilleras in Baguio City.