THE UNIVERSITY of Mindanao (UM) recently awarded 42 new board passers of the February 2024 Mechanical Engineering Licensure Examination during a ceremony at the DPT Building auditorium, UM Matina Campus on March 15.
The institution dedicated a prestigious award and cash incentives of P1 million to Rey Arcabal who bested other takers by scoring 93.45%, and P50,000 to Ronn Dave Cañones who ranked eighth with an average of 90.75% during the licensure exam.
In his speech, UM president Dr. Guillermo Torres shared that it was the first in the history of 77 years that the university topped the Mechanical Engineering Licensure Exam.
“Engineering has always been the flagship of the University of Mindanao. Everywhere you go, most of the engineers in Davao City all came from UM,” Torres.
He also encouraged future board takers to break a leg for their upcoming examinations.
“We hope that we will produce more top notchers in the future,” he added.
Charlito Cañesares, UM College of Engineering Education dean, also said the dedication of the recent board takers during their review and examination had come a long way
“42 passed out 44 takers, or 95.45% had passed produced by the institution. I have witnessed their competence characterized by their hard work and perseverance,” Cañesares said.
He added that the university’s competitive appraisal, which is also part of the program had also been a training ground for the board passers.
Arcabal said it was an unexpected achievement for him to ace the exam.
“For those aspiring to top their exams, at first you might say that it’s impossible to do it, but it’s possible if you trust yourself and God,” Arcabal said.
Arcabal garnered the highest among the 4,458 who successfully hurdled that took place in some parts of the country.
He said he wished to help his parents and siblings through the cash incentive given by the university.
In the same way, Cañones also said the success will also give them a great opportunity to land in his dream industry.
According to the Professional Regulation Commission, the rest of the Mechanical Engineering graduates who made it to the top ten were from St. Louis University, Bohol Island State University – Tagbilaran, University of Sto. Tomas, Technological University of the Philippines – Manila, University of the Philippines – Diliman, Bulacan State University, and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.
