Being a fundamental criterion of life, growth is a natural process that any entity, community or institution undergoes unless it wants to dissolve into stagnation or demise. It is actually a choice whether to develop and reach the crux of one’s existence or to succumb to stasis and immobility which is not a choice at all.

For an institution to be considered successful in its own right, growth and development is synonymous with survival. The institution has to be constantly responsive, prolific and dynamic to achieve the purpose of its being. Conforming to diversity and responding to demands that emerge from the unpredictable are almost always a survival need.

Molding one’s strengths is a strategy by which an establishment can develop ideally fast. Another is striving constantly to be on top of the most recent developments brought on by the inevitable, fast-tracked world of technology. Innovations are a way of recognizing the need to adapt to an also growing environment and evolving culture.

However, one might be reminded that allowing for some room for improvement in the huge scale also goes with looking at present systems and seeking ways to improve them. Similar to a virtuoso examining his mastery of a certain piece of art prior to proceeding to a next huge project, a dynamic institution is obliged to review its current working systems before realigning its priorities and focusing on some new, albeit really promising, prospect. Most likely than not, the primordial necessity to grow and develop would be answered and the mission would still be attained if an institution epitomizes modernity and change, but perfecting its pioneer assets first would undoubtedly generate even more success and distinction in one’s field.

Being blessed by a large number of constituents who successfully sailed through a difficult hurdle of a test of educational proficiency under national standards is by itself a huge accomplishment. The resultant accolade to the institution is only a notch less secondary than the hope it gives to the people concerned. It uplifts the spirits of many supporters, families and believers. It makes a community proud. And it provides a sense of accomplishment to all concerned.

But the challenge this kind of success comes with is expectantly one that must be answered. No matter how near-perfect it is, it still calls for, at best, a re-examination of standards and on how to maintain them. Or improve them, for that matter. So, although the enormous physical expansion and diversification underline the promise to become the best, the primordial aim to polish to perfection the quality of the institution’s progenitors, which incidentally are its field of expertise, will not be taken for granted nor forgotten.

Fulfillment of one’s aim and purpose is, after all, achieved through an edifying process of constant improvisation in one’s forte until perfection is attained. The quintessential rule of being the best of whatever one is has always been the entirety of successful people, societies and establishments. Unquestionably, if one is an expert in handing over the gift of knowledge and helping materialize the dreams of many, one must, as a natural process of growth and self-actualization, nurture and hone this expertise until it is faultless. This is done both by striving constantly to improve and excel, which also requires adaptability and a certain amount of conservatism to preserve the original values.

Fortunately, flexibility is one of the institutions’ strengths. Although it has always reinforced its policies vigilantly, it has become even more forceful of late. With the advent of accreditation and the pursuit of more opportunities to serve the academe, it has emphasized its resolve to accept and face the challenges as they come.