Dr. Caroline Enriquez recognized as Gusi Peace Prize Laureate
LAUDED for her leadership in the academe and her significant efforts towards peace in the society, Dr. Caroline Marian S. Enriquez was awarded as one of the 19 select Laureates of the Gusi Peace Prize International on December 2019. She is the president of Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU), and the incumbent president of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU).
The Laureates consist of politicians, diplomats, physicians, leaders, and key personalities from around the world. Dr. Enriquez is one of the two Filipinos who received the honor of this recognition; the other being Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso.
Dubbed as “Asia’s World Foremost” award-giving body, the Gusi Peace Prize aims “to honor the individuals and organizations who have given exemplary contributions to global peace and progress, through world brotherhood, and by using their God-given talents for the benefit of mankind,” per its official Mission statement.
“What is the purpose of your life in this world, and what made you receive the Gusi Peace Prize?,” Gusi Peace Prize Founder and Chairman Barry S. Gusi asked Dr. Enriquez in the evening’s short program. She responded by sharing the mission of OLFU: “In my University, our slogan is to ‘improve man as man.’ It is very simple because our thrust is that, in whatever landscape you’re coming from, in whatever situation you are, we try to make sure that when you enter the portals of our University, you are educated correctly because through the power of education, you can change your life.”
The series of gatherings then culminated on with the Gusi Peace Prize awarding ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City, which was also broadcasted globally through the Taiwan-owned International Constructive Programming Channel, Supreme Master Television.
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Enriquez cited OLFU as the pillar of her aspirations for the young generation. “They [OLFU] have supported me in everything that I have been doing for the sake of educating the Filipino youth. For and in behalf of all the students, old and young alike, please consider education as a catalyst for improving your lives,” she said.
“My whole life has been dedicated to education, and I believe that this is one way of transforming lives, as well as contributing to nation-building,” averred the esteemed educator.
The 2019 Gusi Peace Prize Laureates are: Justice Ignacio Mahiques (from Argentina); Amb. Patrick De Beyter (from Belgium); Dr. Bernhard Sabel (from Germany); Dr. Trevor Gibbs (from Great Britain); Dr. Mark Berelowitz (from Great Britain); Prof. Jeffrey Levett (from Greece); Amb. Mario Bucaro (from Guatemala); Dr. Dinesh Sharma (from India); Hon. Edward Khoo (from Malaysia); Dr. John Cook (from New Zealand); Farhan Wilayat Butt (from Pakistan); Dr. Caroline Enriquez (from the Philippines); Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso (from the Philippines); Mme Margarita Parshukova (from Russia); Former Pres. Kgalema Motlanthe (from South Africa); MCV Maphalala (from Swaziland); Senator Teerakiat Jareonsettasin (from Thailand); Dr. Burak Küntay (from Turkey); and Dr. Gary Dunbar (from the United States of America).