Pres. Nemenzo completes his term with joy, pride, and confidence

On 20 January 2005 , the UP Open University held a testimonial program for UP President Francisco Nemenzo whose term of office will end on 9 February 2005 .

President Nemenzo, in his farewell speech, said that he is “stepping down from office with joy, pride, and confidence.”

Joy because he will now have more time to do the things he likes to do…read all the books he'd like to read, travel to exotic places, and even play with his grandchildren. Pride because he will be turning over to the incoming President a university that is better equipped to face the challenges of the 21 st century. And confidence, because he is certain that the policies and programs he initiated as President will be continued by incoming President Emerlinda R. Roman.

President Nemenzo added that he is “greatly satisfied with the progress of the UP Modernization Program, which is centered on technology.” Regarding technology, the President said that UPOU was already modern, even before he came in as UP President. He also said “as far as acceptance and use of modern technology are concerned, you at the Open University are at the forefront, no doubt about it.”

The President continued by mentioning that incoming President Roman shares his commitment to the quest for academic excellence, the UP modernization program, and the revitalization of General Education. In this regard, he requested the UPOU to extend President Roman the same kind of support extended to him.

With his retirement, not only as President of UP but also as faculty member, Dr. Nemenzo explained that he feels happy to be designated Professor Emeritus, and claimed that he is glad that he will teach only when “I am invited and when it is a topic I like to discuss.” He invited everyone to drop in at any time in his new office at the Benton in U.P. Diliman, where he said he will have much time to devote to his visitors, adding “there will be no need for an appointment, just come and visit me there.”

President Nemenzo admitted his frustration over two important projects that did not materialize during his administration. These are first, the plan to convert the Commonwealth property into a science and technology park and second, the signing of the UP Charter into law. He added that he is frustrated but “I realize that these were things that were not within my control, so I have to hand them to President Roman for her to continue working towards the achievement of these goals. I am very certain they will be approved in the very near future.”

During the testimonial program, which was held at the UPOU AV Room in Los Banos, Chancellor Felix Librero and Dr. Grace J. Alfonso, Director of the UPOU Multimedia Center, presented to the President a miniaturized UP Oblation (UPOU version) and a copy of a video entitled “President Francisco Nemenzo, the 18 th President of the UP System.”

The video, produced by the UPOU Multimedia Center, featured interviews with the UP Vice Presidents, Chancellors of the Constituent Universities, and other people who worked closely with President Nemenzo. They were one in saying that the secret to their work performance was that the President has given them a free hand to implement projects and programs, with clear directions from the President as to what goals they had to achieve.

The President quipped that through the video, “I learned that my wife admires me… you see, we were together in the struggle, and together we will continue with all our energies to make sure that the Filipino people will benefit from our lives. This is what we want.” ( L.A. Gelisan)

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