Office of the President
The President of the University holds significant powers and duties, which include the responsibilities outlined in RA 9055 and those typically associated with the office of a President at a similar institution. In carrying out these duties, the President must ensure that the policies laid down by the Board of Regents are followed, while having the authority to direct executive action within those limits.
The President determines the agendas for meetings of the Board, Academic Council, and Administrative Council, with the ability for any member to request the inclusion of pertinent matters. Additionally, the President plays a critical role in recommending qualified individuals for appointment to the Board and ensuring that the University maintains high academic standards and enforces discipline.
The President also presides over commencement exercises, conferring degrees and honors, and acts as a link between the academic and non-academic staff and the Board. Other duties include overseeing the University’s annual budget, submitting reports on performance, reviewing actions of University bodies, and having the authority to approve requests related to staff leave statuses. The President also holds the authority to reorganize the University, designate officers for specific duties, and invite prominent scholars to deliver lectures. Furthermore, the President is responsible for signing contracts and documents on behalf of the University, ensuring all actions are aligned with University policies and regulations.
An Excerpt from The Aklan State University Code, Governance and Administration, Article 25-26.
Dr. Jeffrey Arsenal Clarin, 52 years of age, is currently the president of Aklan State University. He is a renowned expert in the field of ICT, a prolific, well-published researcher, and productive software developer.
Dr. Clarin started his higher education journey with an associate diploma for computer technicians in 1992, then obtained his accountancy degree in 2000. He obtained his second degree in computer science in 2007, while also finishing his master’s degree in business administration (MBA) in the same year. He followed it up with a master’s degree in computer science (MSCS) in 2012, and finally, a doctorate degree in information technology (DIT) in 2020. He also secured a certificate course on knowledge management from the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) in 2024.
Prior to being elected as the 5th president of Aklan State University, his academic management experience first started as Dean of the Information and Computer Studies Department at Aklan Catholic College from 2007 to 2014. Then he was designated as ICT Chair at ASU – Kalibo, a year into his tenure as a permanent faculty in the university. He was then designated as Director for ICT in 2020, and as Campus Director of ASU Kalibo in 2021 until his election as university president in 2024.
Dr. Clarin has published four (4) SCOPUS-indexed researches and countless others, all in service of innovation in the field of ICT. In addition, he also developed software for several private companies, and led the charge to secure funding for ICT projects in the university. He is also a member of the Regional Quality Assessment Team (RQAT) of the Commission on Higher Education Region VI for Computer Science and ICT, and an accredited TESDA assessor.
He lives in Laguinbanwa East, Numancia Aklan with his wife, Methyl Dalisay-Clarin, and two daughters, Jeffyl Cyra Joy and Jeffyl Leony Ross.