30 distinguished individuals share ideas on various concerns.
The Office of the President has lined up a series of public lectures in various fields by distinguished scholars, academicians and personalities as a “milestone activity and a vital component of the celebration of the University’s 100th year of academic excellence and service to the nation.”
The lectures are divided into four categories, namely: UP: View from the Inside; UP: View from the Outside; Distinguished Fellows and Thematic Lectures.
The first category features critiques on the university, i.e., its achievements, failures, shortcomings and strengths by 12 UP Centennial Fellows namely: university professor emeritus Dr. Gemino H. Abad, former UP president Dr. Jose V. Abueva, Prof. Randolf S. David, former UPLB chancellor Dr. Wilfredo David, Prof. Emmanuel de Dios, former vice president for academic affairs Dr. Maria Serena I. Diokno, former UP Manila chancellor Dr. Ernesto O. Domingo, university professor emeritus Dr. Cecilia A. Florencio, Prof. Jose M. Magpantay, former UP president Dr. Francisco Nemenzo, university professor emeritus Dr. Ramon P. Santos and university professor emeritus Dr. Edgardo D. Gomez.
These professors were chosen by a committee headed by UP President Emerlinda R. Román with vice president for academic affairs Dr. Amelia Guevarra, UP Manila chancellor Dr. Ramon Arcadio and College of Science dean Dr. Caesar Saloma as members.
The second category features discussions by six distinguished citizens on the public’s perceptions on UP and their evaluation of the University’s role over the years. They are: Rev. Fr. Bienvenido F. Nebres, S.J., president of the Ateneo de Manila University; Ramon del Rosario, Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Philippine Investment Management (PHINMA); Bayan Muna Representative Saturnino “Satur” Ocampo; Washington SyCip, chairman and founder of the SGV Group and chairman of the Asian Institute of Management; and Sheila Coronel, 2003 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts and current director, Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism of the Columbia University.
Four renowned individuals comprise the third category as Distinguished Fellows who will talk on issues pertinent to their field of specialization. These Fellows are: Dr. David Jonathan Gross, 2004 Nobel Laureate for Physics; Dr. Baldomero Olivera, 2007 Havard Foundation Scientist of the Year; Dr. Douglas North, 1993 Nobel Laureate in Economic Science; and former Philippine president Fidel V. Ramos.
Thematic Lectures on pressing concerns constitute the last category. Seven topics are slated to be discussed, namely: Poverty Alleviation, with School of Economics professor Dr. Raul Fabella as convenor; Women (Dr. Carolyn Sobritchea); Global Warming (Dr. Perry Ong); Peace (Prof. Miriam Ferrer); The State of the Nation’s Health (Dr. Alberto Romuladez, UP Manila); Indigenous Peoples (Prof. Marvic Leonen); and The State of RP Education (Dr. Cynthia Rose Bautista).
The lectures will be held in the various UP campuses. To allow interaction between the speaker and the audiences in the constituent universities, the lectures will be beamed live over the internet at <http://dilc.upd.edu.ph/streaming>.