DAVAO CITY – For the first time, a Mindanawon was installed as the new president of the state-run University of the Philippines (UP) on Thursday.
In an investiture ceremony at the UP-Mindanao Campus in Tugbok district here, lawyer Angelo Jimenez was formally installed as the university's 22nd leader.
The Butuan City-born Jimenez is also the first Manobo who lands the post. The tribe granted him the title "Datu Mankalagan" in 2007.
Taking inspiration from and being guided by his indigenous roots, Jimenez said he aims to highlight the view from the margins and bring a unique perspective on how UP can further contribute to national development.
In an interview, he said his administration plans to widen access to UP quality education through various courses, modes, and platforms as well as strengthened partnerships with Philippine state universities and colleges (SUCs).
Jimenez said he will also work to fund the unfinished buildings and is eyeing to put up a medical college.
“(The fact that) it took the national university 115 years to have a president from Mindanao tells us something about what we, the Mindanawons, had to contend with. It also tells us something about how the world is changing - not out of its own accord, but because we worked hard to change it,” Jimenez said.
Under his leadership, he said he would carry out the three mandates of the university– teaching, research, and public service.
“The goal is to transform UP into a full research university, and we will collaborate with SUCs in two areas - curriculum development and faculty development. Our SUCs are very advanced as well and UP can learn from them,” he said.
Apart from research, he said among his priorities is digital transformation by improving human resources and enabling them technologically to enhance their performance and capacities.
“As an institution, under my administration, UP will discharge that responsibility by sharing its knowledge and resources with other SUCs. Our watchword here will be ‘co-creation’ -the collaborative production of knowledge among peers,” Jimenez said.
He also assured that academic freedom in UP will continue. (PNA)
