LOCAL INSTITUTIONS aren’t the only ones who have acknowledged University President Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, SJ’s nation building efforts; international bodies have as well.
Nebres will be conferred with a Doctorate of Letters, honoris causa by Liverpool Hope University in the United Kingdom (UK) during its three-day degree congregations in July 2011.
According to a letter dated June 23, 2010 by Hope Vice-Chancellor and Rector Gerald John Pillay, the award will be given to Nebres “in recognition of [his] lifelong contributions to education and social justice and his outstanding academic record.”
Doctor of Letters is a university academic degree given to candidates whose record of published works and research shows achievement and excellence.
‘Reflected glory’
Nebres was surprised that Hope even considered him for the award but is happy nonetheless. He said, “[Both universities] share a deep sense of mission for a better world coming from a common Christian vision.”
“I don’t only see it as just an award. This one is quite meaningful because Liverpool Hope University and the Ateneo share the same values such as leadership and service,” Nebres added.
Meanwhile, School of Science and Engineering Dean Fabian Dayrit said that Nebres’ award is also a great honor for the university because it also promotes the university’s ideals and values.
“It is a great endorsement of his leadership and foresight which we are beneficiaries of. Coming from a university that is physically so far away, this award reflects the great influence that [Nebres] has made in terms of his leadership in education,” said Dayrit.
Dayrit said that there is always an element of “reflected glory” in Nebres’ award since the Ateneo and its students will somehow be better known in the UK.
School of Humanities Dean Ma. Luz Vilches likewise said that the award will also help the university be recognized globally.
Vilches said that Hope’s award to Nebres would affirm the association of Ateneo and Hope. “Hope University is the first UK link of Ateneo de Manila and it’s great for that link to be marked more formally by [awarding Nebres],” said Vilches.
From micro to macro
Nebres’ involvement in improving Philippine social justice was a factor in Hope’s decision to confer the degree.
Nebres said that it was timely to focus on a new start for the country in the context of President Noynoy Aquino’s new administration. “We’ll have to focus more on attending to the needs of the poor and providing service. I hope that we all make our best to contribute to nation-building. We’re all concerned with the problems concerning poverty,” said Nebres.
He adds that there is a need to engage in local priority setting. “We should not just focus on the nation as a whole but go deeper—city by city, town by town. These are problems we can’t solve nationally. We have to set our goals locally first to be able to solve the national problems,” said Nebres.
Dayrit said that a way to reduce poverty is to develop better technology. “If the Ateneo is to be a leading institution of higher education in the country, we must also participate in this effort.”
Smooth transition
The award will be conferred after Nebres steps down as University President. He is set to be replaced by current Ateneo de Cagayan – Xavier University President Fr. Jett Villarin, SJ on April 1, 2011. According to Nebres, his main agenda is to prepare for a smooth transition to the new admini
“We have to ensure that the transitions are smooth and that the leadership both in the Central Administration and the different school units [are] in place,” said Nebres.
Nebres says that these preparations are essential so that Villarin and the other members of the administration “won’t have to deal with major problems and have time to get to know the place” on their first year.
