JanFebMar08 UPdate

Although of undeniable progressive legacy, UP does not always collocate nationalism as much as it used to.

Dr. Edgardo D. Gomez’s offering to the Centennial Lecture Series on March 27 at the National Institute of Science and Math Education (NISMED) ruminates on learning in class and beyond, redefining true UP scholarship and refostering love for thecountry. In his lecture “Changing Attitudes as a Key to Success for UP’s Second Century,” the Professor Emeritus from The Marine Science Institute emphasized a development of the life of the mind and a love of the country, which he lamented, seemed to be slowly disappearing from the consciousness of the newer students and faculty.

Gomez emphasized the importance of being well-rounded individuals and learning outside of the classroom.

“We must not forget that first and foremost, a university is a community of scholars and we must be able to communicate inside and outside the classroom. Aside from the formal meetings, do we probe and make an effort to foster questioning, reason, and discourse outside of class? Often it is in these informal settings that the mind is probed and teased, preparing it to function better in the real world.”

UP students are known for their training in critical thinking, decision-making and improvisational skills (also known as “diskarte”), but according to Gomez, this might not always be a good thing, as the convenience of survival sometimes obscures the importance of true scholarship.

“Is it because we are content to live a day-to-day survival existence, often forgetting the long term and broader horizons of a true university education? Is there a tendency among us to be skilled in “descarte” without being concerned about the broader and deeper foundations of learning?… There is a pressing need to focus our students on scholarship, not just survival.”

A top University official once said UP is no longer just a name but a brand. It has a rich history, being one of if not the most productive, distinguished and illustrious universities in the country. Gomez noted that the danger of such a history is complacency.

“There is a danger in coasting on the laurels gained in the past by one’s predecessors. To do so is to be parasitic, so to speak. And a progressive university has no place for parasites. Everyone must carry his or her own weight in the continuing challenge to be centers of excellence.”

Equally important, Gomez says, is cultivating a love of country, which includes the creation of an attitude of change and improvement of the self for the common good. He stressed the importance of always thinking and looking beyond one’s self in favor of the country’s welfare.

“Are we patriotic and do we try to instill patriotism among our students? I think each one can answer that for himself. We obviously should be. And I like to think that we have the duty to do and say what we can to foster love of country.”

The Centennial Lecture Series is the centerpiece of the University’s Centennial celebrations. Experts outside and within the University aim to impart knowledge on key issues and topics that affect both the University and the world at large.

Beyond the classroom, beyond the self: enroute to the 2nd century