Francisco Nemenzo Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Nemenzo in 2013 | |
| 18thPresident of the University of the Philippines | |
| In office 1999–2005 | |
| Preceded by | Emil Q. Javier |
| Succeeded by | Emerlinda R. Roman |
| 3rd Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Visayas | |
| In office August 29, 1989 – August 31, 1992 | |
| University President | José Abueva |
| Preceded by | Rogelio Juliano |
| Succeeded by | Flor J. Lacanilao |
| Faculty Regent of the University of the Philippines | |
| In office 1988–1989 | |
| University President | José Abueva |
| Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences University of the Philippines Diliman | |
| In office 1976–1981 | |
| University President | Onofre Corpuz Emanuel V. Soriano Edgardo Angara |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1935-02-09)9 February 1935 |
| Died | 19 December 2024(2024-12-19) (aged 89) Quezon City, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Spouse | Ana Maria "Princess" Ronquillo |
| Children | Fidel Leonid Lian |
| Alma mater | University of the Philippines Diliman(B.P.A. &M.P.A.) University of Manchester(Ph.D.) |
| Occupation |
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Francisco Alfafara Nemenzo Jr. (9 February 1935 – 19 December 2024) was a Filipino political scientist, educator, and activist who served as the 18thpresident of theUniversity of the Philippines (UP) from 1999 to 2005. He had previously served as chancellor ofUP Visayas,UP Faculty Regent, and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences ofUP Diliman.
A prominentMarxist figure in the Philippine academe,[a] he was aprofessor emeritus ofpolitical science at UP Diliman and taught courses in political philosophy and Philippine government.[6]
Nemenzo was from a family of scholars, academics, and educators. His father, Francisco Sr., was a marine zoologist known as the "father of Philippine coral taxonomy".[1] His son,Fidel, is a mathematician and the 11th chancellor of UP Diliman.[7]
Prior to becoming UP President, Nemenzo served as chancellor of theUniversity of the Philippines Visayas and as a member of the Board of Regents, the highest policy-making body of the University, representing the faculty.[citation needed] He was also dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, which was split into three academic units:College of Science (CS), College of Social Sciences & Philosophy (CSSP), and the College of Arts & Letters (CAL).[citation needed]
Nemenzo was elected UP president against prominent competitors such as former senatorLeticia Ramos-Shahani, former minister of economic planning Gerardo Sicat, and public administration pioneer and sociologistLedivina V. Cariño.[8] He succeededEmil Q. Javier. An appointee of PresidentJoseph Estrada, Nemenzo was criticized in the university for not supporting theSecond EDSA Revolution that overthrew Estrada in 2001.[9]
His term was notable for the institutionalization of the Revised General Education Program (RGEP), comparable to the general education program ofHarvard University and other American educational institutions, seeking to provide a holistic development of students through a free choice system of selecting courses in three divisions (Arts & Humanities, Social Science & Philosophy, and Mathematics, Science & Technology) to fit each student's intellectual pursuits. However, a comprehensive review of the program was initiated, linking the introduction of the RGEP to the grade inflation phenomenon.[citation needed] It led to a synthesis of the old general education program and the RGEP which has been adopted by the University since 2012.
In 2005, he stepped down as the University's highest official and was replaced byEmerlinda Roman of the College of Business Administration.[citation needed]
Nemenzo's father, Francisco Sr., was a marine zoologist referred to as the "father of Philippine coral taxonomy" and has served as dean of UP Diliman's College of Arts and Sciences. His mother, Catalina Alfafara, served as senior librarian at the UP Diliman library.[1]
Nemenzo was married to Ana Maria "Princess" Ronquillo, a feminist and anti-poverty activist.[10][11][12] They have three children: mathematicianFidel named afterFidel Castro, physician Leonid, and preschool teacher Lian.[5][10]
Nemenzo's nickname was "Dodong".[1][11]
Nemenzo earned his bachelor's and master's degrees inpublic administration from theNational College of Public Administration and Governance at theUniversity of the Philippines Diliman in 1957 and 1959 respectively.[13] During his undergraduate years, he joined the Pan Xenia Fraternity.[14] He then obtained a Ph.D. in political history from theUniversity of Manchester in 1965.[13]
Francisco Nemenzo Jr. died in Quezon City on 19 December 2024, at the age of 89.[15]
[Fidel Nemenzo's] father, the respected political scientist and unabashed Marxist...
| Academic offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | President of theUniversity of the Philippines 1999–2005 | Succeeded by |
