THE AKLAN State University received a P25 million grant from the Commission on Higher Education to modernize its tourism and hospitality facilities.

ASU President Emily Arangote said the grant will boost the university’s aim for internalization. The institution aspires to become a center of development in hospitality management in the Asia-Pacific region.

“We are very grateful to CHED Chairperson and the concurrent ASU Board of Regents Chairperson Prospero De Vera III for his untiring support and encouragement to ASU. Also, to our Congressman Teodorico Haresco, Jr. for his unwavering support to this endeavor,” Arangote said.

Of the P25 million, P10 million will be allotted for the renovation of the speech laboratories of the Ibajay and Makato campuses. The school will purchase personal computers and install software and connectivity lines.

This project will benefit more than 2,000 students.

“ASU students will be able to use the latest equipment and systems through this facility thereby enhancing their communication skills and developing their personality in preparation for the cutthroat competition in the global arena,” the university said.

“The speech laboratories will also be utilized as a training ground for entrepreneurship, techno- transfer, processing/value-adding and packaging to enhance livelihood opportunities for farmers and fisher folks in Aklan,” it added.

The remaining P15 million will be used for the construction of the Hot and Cold Kitchen laboratory in Ibajay campus.

“The project will upgrade ASU-Ibajay’s kitchen laboratories and facilities to meet the prevailing standards in the hospitality industry. Thus, students can be exposed to, and familiarize themselves with the latest equipment used in the food and restaurant industry,” ASU said.