Written by Wang Lang (Graduate School Alumnus)
Time goes by gently, leaving indelible traces on the journey of life. In November 2025, I was honorably promoted to the rank of Professor and master’s advisor. Standing at this new milestone in my academic and professional career, I look back on my years of study and educational practice, filled with mixed emotions and sincere gratitude. This prestigious professional honor is not only the accumulation and fruition of my long-term dedication to education, but also embodies the meticulous cultivation of the University of Baguio and the earnest teachings of all my respected mentors. My academic pursuit at the University of Baguio has laid a solid foundation for my scholarly career and remains the most precious treasure in my life.
In January 2020, driven by reverence for higher education and a passion for knowledge, I enrolled at the University of Baguio to pursue a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Management, completing my studies and obtaining my doctoral degree in December 2022. Spanning three years, this academic journey took place amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, a special period filled with unique hardships and unforgettable warmth, making it an unparalleled journey of self-improvement and learning in my life.
During the first two years of my doctoral study, due to the pandemic, I was unable to attend on-campus classes or engage in face-to-face academic discussions with teachers and classmates. Yet no distance could quench my thirst for knowledge, and online learning never dimmed my dedication to academic research. Supported by the rigorous and well-established online teaching system of the University of Baguio, I devoted myself to more than ten core professional courses. I systematically studied Social Research, Behavioral Research, Philosophy of Education, Comparative Education, Curriculum Design and Development, Educational Theories and Principles, Educational Administration and Supervision, and the Competitive Environment of Higher Education, among other specialized disciplines.
In every online class, my respected teachers imparted their knowledge wholeheartedly and answered my questions patiently. With their profound professionalism and rigorous academic attitude, they broadened my global vision in educational management. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my esteemed teachers, including Dr. Aida Dapiawen, Dr. Rhoda Tique, Dr. Kareen Leon, Dr. Ruby Buccat, Dr. Michelle Ranges, Dr. Ellen Halover, Dr. Julius Gat-eb, Dr. Marilou M. Saong, and Dr. Antonio D. Mangaliag. Your in-depth lectures and unique academic insights helped me break through inherent cognitive limitations, consolidate my theoretical foundation, and master cutting-edge educational research methods and management thinking. Every class enlightened my mind and endowed me with profound academic gains.
In the third year of my study, as the pandemic gradually eased, I finally fulfilled my long-cherished wish to study on campus at the University of Baguio. The long-awaited campus brought me immense comfort and peace of mind. At that time, I was in the critical stage of completing my doctoral dissertation, confronted with mounting pressure from academic research and various scholarly challenges. Working day and night on my thesis became my daily routine. Fortunately, Baguio, a serene and elegant city, soothed my academic fatigue and anxiety with its picturesque scenery, pleasant climate, and simple, warm-hearted locals. The lush green mountains and peaceful mortal life calmed my mind and resolved my confusion, allowing me to settle down and recharge amid intense academic research.
The kindness of teachers is forever engraved in my heart. Here, I would like to extend my most sincere and heartfelt thanks to my doctoral adviser, Dr. Rhoda Tique. She is erudite and rigorous in academic research, yet gentle, amiable, and passionate in life. Throughout the whole process of my thesis writing and research, from topic selection and framework construction to content polishing, logical optimization, and final defense preparation, she guided me patiently and resolved my academic doubts meticulously. Whenever I encountered research bottlenecks or felt confused and exhausted, her gentle encouragement, professional guidance, and inclusive expectations gave me the courage to persist and the confidence to delve deeper into academic research. Thanks to her meticulous guidance and selfless dedication, I successfully overcame academic difficulties, completed my dissertation research, passed the thesis defense, and finished my doctoral studies perfectly. Meanwhile, I sincerely appreciate all the faculty members of the Graduate School of Education at the University of Baguio for their silent dedication and earnest teaching. The university’s fine academic atmosphere, comprehensive education system, and rigorous scholarly ethos have nurtured my growth and facilitated my all-round transformation.
After returning to China upon graduation, I joined the School of Economics and Management, Xianyang Normal University. For years, I have integrated the advanced educational concepts, professional knowledge, research thinking, and educational management methodologies learned at the University of Baguio into my daily teaching, scientific research, and talent cultivation work. Adhering to the original aspiration of education, I have rooted myself in front-line teaching, devoted myself to academic research and student cultivation, and made steady progress in my professional career. My recent promotion to Professor is a recognition of my years of educational work, and more importantly, a testament to the solid foundation endowed by the University of Baguio. All my growth, progress, and professional achievements stem from this precious academic experience and the nurturing and teachings of my honorable mentors.
We remember the source of the running water, and we honor our teachers after achieving academic success. The three years of study at University of Baguio will forever nurture my sincere gratitude. As time goes by, my original aspiration remains unchanged, and the great kindness of my teachers is deeply rooted in my heart. Taking my professorship as a new starting point, I will inherit the rigorous academic spirit of my alma mater and uphold my mentors’ educational philosophy. I will continue to devote myself to higher education research and talent cultivation, keep improving my professional capabilities, and empower innovative teaching. I will live up to the cultivation of my alma mater and the teachings of my mentors, forge ahead steadily on the path of education, pass on the warmth of education continuously, and write new chapters in talent cultivation.
May the University of Baguio enjoy enduring academic prosperity, passing down knowledge and spirit from generation to generation, and cultivate outstanding talents endlessly! May all my respected teachers enjoy good health, fruitful careers, and every success in life!
Sincerely yours,
Wang Lang, June 2026
