WHETHER the military buildup happens, there is still a buildup going on – a University of Guam buildup.

UOG President Dr. Robert Underwood was the keynote speaker during the Guam Contractors Association general membership meeting held yesterday at the Hilton Guam Resort and Spa. In his address, Underwood spoke about plans for construction of new facilities, renovations to existing buildings, as well as the new College of Engineering.

In addition to celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, a number of exciting things have been happening for UOG. Just recently, a memorandum of understanding was signed between UOG and the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, which entails exchanges in resources, research, and student education for the two institutions.

UOG is also one of four institutions listed as science partners in the Deepsea Challenge website that details filmmaker James Cameron's expedition to the Mariana Trench.

“We're getting involved in some groundbreaking stuff ... we're in for our work,” Underwood said. “So we're involved in all of these kinds of activities and we want to continue to provide this level with creating a 21st-century campus. And so that 21st-century campus is our dream.”

Underwood explained that in order to realize that dream, UOG embarked on a campaign to raise $30 million in five years.

“It's the single most ambitious campaign in Guam history,” he said. “But really this is an investment in the future. This is really the single most important investment that we can make into an educational infrastructure.”

Postsecondary

Underwood stressed the importance of postsecondary education by highlighting the growing numbers of those dependent on food stamps and public assistance. Despite criticisms and complaints about those in need of government assistance, Underwood made a point that the only way for them to transition from food stamps to a profession is through education.

“The road from food stamps to a profession runs through a university,” he stated. “It doesn't run through any other route.”

According to Underwood, two-thirds of the jobs today require some form of postsecondary education – whether it's a certificate program through specialized training or going to a community college.

“These are the challenges that we face and the only way that we keep our economy and our society sustainable is not to envision more gated communities, but to envision how we get everybody to rise to the level of their potential, and how we give that opportunity for that potential,” he stated.

In order to maintain UOG's facilities and to develop its infrastructure, Underwood indicated that the university's overarching goal involves about $100 to $130 million worth of capital investment.

For now, the immediate goal is to raise $30 million as intended in its capital campaign.

“So our immediate objective is to raise $30 million and hopefully to use that to leverage more as we go along,” Underwood said. “If we did this, then we wouldn't have to rely on GovGuam finance. We could do our own infrastructure planning in a way that makes sense, one that is responsive to the needs of the economy ... to businesses ... to society; [one] that is of service and continues to help strengthen the island. So that's our goal.”

Underwood also told the GCA members that there were many ways to contribute to and participate in UOG's capital campaign, not just monetarily. There are different levels of giving, he said, and there is a level for every individual or organization. Underwood also presented a new brochure that manifests the vision for the new campus.

“It's our obligation,” Underwood said. “This is our investment, this is our hope for island sustainability, and this is, I believe, a good contribution leading to the sustainability of the island.”