The results of the recent national Nursing Licensure Examinations again reminded us of the outstanding universities we have right here in our midst.
All four universities in this University Town scored 100 percent in the NLE, with St. Paul University-Dumaguete producing the topnotcher, and Silliman University putting three of its examinees in the Top 10 list.
Our universities here in Dumaguete also have produced topnotchers in many other licensure examinations as well.
With a national passing average of only 74.40 percent in the NLE, coupled with the strong international demand for nurses, this recent glorious performance of our universities would surely send more students our way.
Do we have what it takes?
Students looking for a place to stay for the next four years of their college life often have to make do with cramped and uncomfortable boarding houses. Many food establishments have less-than- desirable sanitary conditions. Our sidewalks are filled with parked broken vehicles, forcing students to walk on the roads.
There is a lot we can still do to make our students from other places feel at home in our City.
We need to adopt a standard for board and lodging establishments, and conduct spot checks to ensure compliance. We can give tax incentives to lodging establishments who seek to renovate their buildings. We can be a pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly City to encourage people to walk or bike for health.
These are certainly low-hanging fruits for our City officials. Do they have what it takes?
