25 Years of AIITAFI
The Silver Years of serving the MSU-IIT Alumni
The Idea of an IIT Alumni Association
On July 12, 1985, an idea was floated to organize a separate MSU-IIT Alumni Association (other than the MSUAA). In this gathering, a committee to organize the MSU-IIT Alumni Association was created. This is the very reason why we need to celebrate the Alumni homecoming every July during the Charter Week Celebration of MSU-IIT –every Saturday before the Charter Day Celebration to be exact.
On July 18, 1985 for the first time, the committee chaired by Joel Maglunob met at the MSU-IIT Board Room. The following MSU-IIT alumni were present: Joel Maglunob (Presiding Officer), Juan Tumapon, Rene Jose Padro, Virgilio Verano, Fermina Salazar, Aleta Roxas and Joe Zalsos. They were supposed to meet again on July 25, 1985. Unfortunately, for one reason or another, the committee failed to come up with the constitution and by-laws which are among the basic requirements to have a formal organization.
The Recognition of AIITAFI
On March 17, 1986, then Vice President for MSU-IIT Prof. Manaros B. Boransing issued Memorandum Order No. 86-93-OVP creating a committee to organize the MSU-IIT Alumni Association. He is known as the FATHER OF THE MSU-IIT ALUMNI. This is the reason why we celebrate March as the Alumni month with several activities such as Jobs Fair, Mock Interview, Alay sa Graduates, Employer’s Forum among others. March 17 is also the date when the Association has a mandate from the IIT Administration.
The memo states that:
In order to strengthen the liaison between the Institute and its alumni, as well as to provide organized assistance when needed, there is hereby created a Committee to Organize the MSU-IIT Alumni Association, to be composed of:
- Mr. Carmelito Apao, DSA - Chairman
- Ms. Zayda Macarambon, CDO/OARP - Vice-Chairman
- Ms. Lilang Zinayda Macarambon - Member – Secretary
- Mr. Virgilio Verano, Purchasing - Member
- Mrs. Fermina Salazar - Member
- Mr. Juan Tumapon, CBA - Member
- Mrs. Alita Roxas, CBA - Member
- Mr. Cesar Balberona, SET-ELET - Member
- Ms. Agnes Rafanan, ASD/CASS - Member
- Ms. Lilian Ledesma, SET-CHET - Member
- Mr. Erman Marajas, SET-ESET - Member
- Ms. Cecile Relucio, SDO - Member
- Prof. Lolita Cabili, CBA - Member
The memo affirms that all the committee shall serve in an interim capacity until they have elected a regular set of officers in an organizational meeting to be called immediately by the Office of Alumni Relations and Placement. On April 1-6, 1986 the committee drafted the constitution of the ASSOCIATION OF IIT ALUMNI (AIITA) (which later on became Association of IIT Alumni Foundation, Inc. or AIITAFI).
From April 8 to May 29, 1986 the committee had the proposed constitution ratified in a referendum (via secret balloting) by the graduates of MSU-IIT.
On May 30, 1986, the referendum ballots were canvassed and the following were the results:
- On Question No. 1 – Do you approve the newly drafted constitution of the ASSOCIATION OF IIT ALUMNI?.
An overwhelming majority – eight hundred thirty five (835) alumni were in the affirmative and 18 in the negative.
- On Question No. 2 – Do you approve that the committee who drafted the constitution shall serve as officials of the Association for an interim period of one year to prepare for the regular election as contemplated in the constitution?
An overwhelming majority – seven hundred six (706) alumni also confirmed that the members of the committee will act as interim officers for a period of one year.
On June 20, 1986, based on the results of referendum question No. 2, the committee installed/elected the Interim Officers of the Association as shown above. Because there was no clamor to elect the regular officers earlier than March/April 1988, the Interim Officers served until April 1988.
On July 10, 1986 the Association was granted by the MSU-IIT Administration official recognition and authority to operate as the official and legitimate IIT Alumni Association with its legal identity duly recognized by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
On July 12, 1986 the Association sponsored the first IIT Alumni Homecoming. It was held at the Garments Trade Building of IIT.
On March 26, 1987 the Association sponsored the Graduation Ball.
On July 12, 1987, the Association sponsored the second MSU-IIT Alumni Homecoming which was held at the CBA Hall of MSU-IIT.
On April 5-7, 1988, the Association held its first regular elections of officers. On May 20, 1988 the Association was finally registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-stock and non-profit corporation under S.E.C. Registration No. CEO1537. It became AIITAFI on December 12, 1999. Amended by-laws was registered with the SEC CDO Extension Office.
On July 11, 1988 the Association sponsored the third MSU-IIT Alumni Homecoming.
The Scholarship program of AIITAFI started in 1988 when the Association sponsored two (2) scholars who have obtained/maintained a general point average (GPA) of 1.75 or better. Each of them was given P250.00 monthly stipend for the school year 1988-89. The scholarship program of IITAFI has been considered as one of its institutional program having graduated more than a hundred IIT scholars. They even have their own organization called as the AIITAFI Scholars Association (ASA).
On March 23-26, 1990 the Association held its second regular election of officers who served from April 1990 to March 1992.
On July 14, 1990 the Association sponsored the 4th MSU-IIT Alumni Homecoming. It was held at the MSU-IIT gymnaium.
In 2006, the Alumni Homecoming was revived after its lull 16 years ago. From then, the homecoming has become an annual event with the different colleges as the annual host.
Through the years, AIITAFI has helped the IIT alumni and the IIT community with many of its programs and project. It has become an institution recognized for its service, dedication, transparency and accountability genuinely serving the MSU-IIT Alumni thereby realizing the goal of MSU-IIT to be a world class institution.
On March 17, 2011, AIITAFI will celebrate its Silver Anniversary in line the Alumni Month Celebration. AIITAFI will honor all the founding members of AIITAFI and all the Chancellors of MSU- IIT. Since its founding, the Chancellors of MSU-IIT are very supportive of the Association of IIT Alumni Foundation Incorporated because of its programs and projects for the alumni of MSU-IIT and the MSU-IIT Community.
CONTINUING LEGACY OF SERVICE TO THE ALUMNI
This year, the association will embark on a number of alumni programs that will benefit the alumni of the Institute as follows;
- The MSU-IIT Mega Job Fair, Mock Interview, Employment Seminar and the Employer’s Forum on March, 2011 as the MSU-IIT Alumni Month
- Alumni Jobs Placement System (Job Matching for IIT Job Seekers) under the AIITAFI Public Employment Service Office recognized by DOLE
- The 9th MSU-IIT Alumni Homecoming and the 43rd MSU-IIT Charter Day Celebration
- Paugnat 2011 – The MSU-IIT Alumni Basketball and Badminton Tournament
- Silver anniversary of the Association of IIT Alumni Foundation on March 17, 2011
- 2011 Alay sa Graduates Concert
- Adopt a Classroom Project (College Facilities Improvement Program)
- 1st AIITAFI Scholars Alumni Reunion
- Strengthening of the College-Based Alumni Association
- The Outstanding MSU-IIT Alumni Awards (TOMA) 2011, The Outstanding Alumni Entrepreneurs Award, and, the 1st College Achievement Award
- Alumni Networking Project (Facebook Alumni Tracer and creation of groups)
- Alumni Tracer Survey for 2011
- Creation of New Chapters of AIITAFI in addition to the existing ones such as Manila, Laguna, Cavite, Cebu, General Santos, Marbel, Dipolog Zanorte, Pagadian ZamboSur, Cagayan De Oro, Butuan, Davao, Singapore
Potential Alumni Chapters for 2011 are as follows: Qatar, Dubai, Kuwait, Ozamis, Oroquieta, Bukidnon, Surigao, United States, Zamboanga City
