Three candidates have been nominated for the position of chancellor of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. The announcement was made on Monday, March 6.
The nominees are Dr. Fidel Nemenzo, Dr. Victor Paz, and Atty. Edgardo Carlo Vistan II.
Nemenzo is the immediate past Chancellor of UP Diliman and was also the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development at UP Diliman from 2014 to 2020. Paz is a faculty member of the School of Archaeology and served as its Director for ten years from 2002. Vistan is presently the Dean of the College of Law and also heads the UP Law Center and UP Office of Legal Aid.
Each nominee has outlined their vision for the future of UP Diliman.
Nemenzo aims to build on the work he began in 2020, with a focus on academic excellence, efficient governance, and sustainability.
“In my next term, to take shape now in the freer context of a fully reopened campus, these remain the pillars of my leadership: academic excellence; the dignity and well-being of our community; democratic, efficient, and smart governance; academic freedom and academic integrity; and UP Diliman as a safe, informed, vibrant, and sustainable campus,” he said.
“As the ways clear for us to build and cultivate together under happier circumstances, I would be honored and grateful to serve as Chancellor again. My vision for a UP Diliman that is inclusive, smart, sustainable, and public service-oriented has not been only mine to realize.”
Paz wants to review and improve several policies, including the academic calendar, general education, admission policies, and housing policy, with the goal of making UP a more dynamic and relevant university.
“Equally so, we must simplify excessive bureaucratic paperwork that hampers productivity in all sectors of our community. We must strike a balance between documentation and accountability on the one hand, and productivity coupled with wellbeing on the other. This also needs to be addressed having in mind the issues of employee regularization, tenure and promotion of faculty and staff within our campus,” he explained.
Vistan envisions UP Diliman as a university that leads in the holistic formation of individuals and communities through quality and accessible education, relevant research, and engagement with others.
According to the Law dean, this will be achieved “through active and consultative leadership that engages with its various units and the community.”
“At the outset, roles and expectations will be defined with the various units and community stakeholders at the same time that we identify aspirations, needs, and opportunities for capacity building.”
“Constant exchanges with and among each of the UP Diliman units will be promoted so that the Office of the Chancellor could guide and help them in setting and achieving their goals. These exchanges, in turn, will help shape the specific programs and projects of the Office of the Chancellor’s programs,” he continued.
The search committee has scheduled a public forum with the candidates on March 20 at the Institute of Biology Auditorium. The panel has also invited all stakeholders to participate in sectoral consultations on March 21-23 at Room 1131, Pavilion 1, Palma Hall.
The UP Board of Regents will select the next Chancellor on April 27. In the meantime, UP Diliman Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ma. Theresa Payongayong serves as officer-in-charge.
According to the UP Charter of 2008, the Chancellor is responsible for the administration of the constituent university and serves as Chairperson of its University Council.