Fred Dabu posted: " Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson J. Prospero E. De Vera III is the sole recipient of the University of the Philippines (UP) Gawad Oblation, an award bestowed by UP President Angelo A. Jimenez in recognition of De Vera's rema"
CHED Chair and UP Gawad Oblation 2024 awardee J. Prospero E. De Vera III (center) poses with his family, friends, and CHED and UP System officials. Photo by Bong Arboleda, UP MPRO.
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson J. Prospero E. De Vera III is the sole recipient of the University of the Philippines (UP) Gawad Oblation, an award bestowed by UP President Angelo A. Jimenez in recognition of De Vera's remarkable contributions to the University and to the country's higher education system. The awarding ceremony was held on February 12, Monday, at the CHED Auditorium in Diliman, Quezon City.
In his message, Jimenez said previous Gawad Oblation awardees include distinguished government officials, educators, engineers, industry leaders, and CEOs "who have not only provided the University their material and financial resources, most importantly, they have freely offered their expertise, talents and time, all for the benefit of the Filipino people".
He added that "UP is now where it is today—Philippine higher education is now where it is today—thanks to each and every one of you [officials of CHED and State Universities and Colleges], together with the capable leadership and guidance" of De Vera.
According to Jimenez, De Vera is "a living example of UP's brand of leadership, honor, excellence, and most of all, service to the nation."
"He has done more than increasing the international prestige and recognition of UP, when he had been continuing to help increase the number of enrolled college students while raising the standards and strengthening partnerships of higher education institutions," Jimenez said.
UP President Angelo A. Jimenez congratulates Gawad Oblation recipient J. Prospero E. De Vera III (center) as De Vera's family and UP officials, namely Assistant Vice President for Public Affairs Jeanette L. Yasol-Naval, Regent Gregorio B. Pastorfide, Staff Regent Marie Theresa S. Alambra, and Faculty Regent Carl Marc L. Ramota, applaud. Photo by Bong Arboleda, UP MPRO.
De Vera is cited for "his steadfast advocacy for the passage of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act or Republic Act 10931 in 2017, which provided Free Higher Education in more than 200 State Universities and Colleges and Local Universities and Colleges", resulting in more than 40% of university-aged Filipinos being enrolled in higher education institutions. This law institutionalized free tuition and exemption from miscellaneous fees for more than 2 million students in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) in the Philippines. More than 300,000 financially-challenged students also received Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) and Tulong Dunong in public and private universities.
De Vera is also credited for "steering the Philippine higher education sector amidst the COVID-19 pandemic...; continued recognition of the government certificates of Filipino seafarers by the European Maritime Safety Administration (EMSA) of the European Union in 2023; aggressively expanding access to medical education by increasing the number of public universities with medical programs under the Doctor Para sa Bayan law; and relentless effort in the internationalization of Philippine higher education institutions through university-to-university linkages, participation in global rankings, and development of niche programs on aviation, information technology (IT), and animation."
CHED officials praised De Vera for his leadership which led to CHED "receiving the highest audit rating from the Commission on Audit in 2022, the first time in its institutional history," among many other achievements.
Dr. Teofilo A. Abrajano, Jr., Chief of Staff of the President, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology; Francis C. Laurel, President of Toyota Batangas City, Inc.; Dr. Lilian A. De Las Llagas, former CHED Commissioner; and Atty. Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro, CHED Executive Director, shared their testimonial messages about De Vera.
De Vera earned his Bachelor and Doctoral degrees from UP, and has been teaching at the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) since 1992. He served as UP Vice President for Public Affairs from 2011-2016, CHED Commissioner in 2016, and has been concurrently the Chairperson of CHED and of the UP Board of Regents from 2018 to present.
The UP Gawad Oblation is an award given by the UP President to UP alumni and supporters to convey gratitude for their "extraordinary service with or in the name of UP". The Gawad Oblation medal was designed by UP College of Fine Arts Professor Leo Abaya to uniquely convey UP's symbolism of selfless offering of oneself for the common good.
The first Gawad Oblation was held on February 7, 2017 at the UP Professional Schools in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, during the administration of UP President Alfredo E. Pascual, wherein 14 individuals from government and industry were recognized. Under the presidency of Atty. Danilo L. Concepcion, the second Gawad Oblation ceremony was held on January 17, 2023 at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman, to honor 38 individuals and institutions who rendered invaluable support to the University.
Presidents of SUCs across the nation, UP System officials and members of the UP Board of Regents, De Vera's family and friends, and CHED officials attended the ceremony at the CHED Auditorium and the reception dinner at the UP Executive House.
The UP Gawad Oblation 2024 ceremony was held after the CHED's national conference of SUCs on "Program Quality Assurance in the Context of Philippine Qualifications Framework" and launch of the "Paglaum Kag Pagdaug (Hope and Victory): Access and Success for Quality and Inclusive Higher Education" initiative. According to De Vera, UP also has a vital role in enhancing students' access and success in SUCs.
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