SAP - (READS) UNO Recoletos

The privilege of Quality Christian Education is very much valuable and indeed a priceless gift to be endowed upon.

Long before UNO-R's existence as university where it was then known
as Occidental Negros Institute ONI) in 1945, the working students
already dwell on the campus premesis. These "working students"
provide ample time to render service to the institute particularly in office and laboratory obligations. In return to their service and dedication, minimal tuition fee was charged to them. This tradition for working students still exists until the present operation of UNO-R.

During the early 1980's, the supervision of the working students were centralized by Rev. Fr. Pedro Escanillas, OAR in a program known as the Special Assistance Program (SAP). This program classifies the working students as separate from other scholars in terms of benefits and privileges. On January 10, 1986, Rev. Fr. Delfin A. Castillo, OAR, who aslo served as the first director, changed the Special Assistance Program to Student Assistance Program. The working students were replaced with "student assistants", giving the emphasis that the student assistants assist the University and served as its front liners in daily campaign for excellence. Similarly, one of the significant objectives of the Student Assistance Program is to provide a training ground for the student assistants through exposure to the different working conditions which can be utilized for future employment. Today, SAP has produced successfull (young) professionals in each respective field nationwide and worldwide.

As the dawn of SY 1987-1988, the Student Assistance Program became one of the scholarship offerings of the Office of the Director of Scholarships. The legacy of the Student Assistance Program paves the way to a brighter future for the less privileged, continues until now through "READS" (Recoletos Educational Assistance for Deserving Students) which was started First Sem. of SY 2004-2005. The Scholarships Office, together with our University President Fr. Sixto Bitangjol, OAR, launched the READS website [http://www.uno-r.edu.ph/reads] on October 14, 2008. All SAP/READS alumni are welcome to join in Alumni's Corner.

Ms. Nilda M. Jamili (our forever dear "nang nilds") was the Director of scholarships for 22 years. At present, Fr. Emeterio D. Bunao, OAR is the Scholarships Director. The values and learnings that OAR Fathers instilled to us will forever be in our hearts wherever our dreams are taking us now. We believe, as long as OAR Fathers are there, UNO-R will continue to help deserving students because this is also a way of the university and Recollect Fathers to instill the virtues of hardwork and responsibility to the youth as the SAP Motto states "Non Palma Sine Labore" - No Victory Without Labor.

"SAP MEMENTO"

Im Yours - Jason Mraz

Friends, Classmates, Former Fellow SAP grantees, Present READS Scholars, Mentors, Former Office Head(s)/Supervisor(s) and most especially our loving and concerned Scholarships Director, hardworking-dedicated Scholarships Staff & our dear-supportive O.A.R. Fathers. . .

Anyone who made ourlives with SAP family worth remembering.