DOST head receives doctorate from UP

The University of the Philippines (UP) System has conferred Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Pena with a Doctor of Laws honoris causa, the highest degree that it can award to an outstanding individual.

The conferment of the honor was held during the 21st commencement exercises of the UP Mindanao in Davao City last June 26.

The UP system conferred the degree to de la Peña to recognize his contributions in UP and his decades of service in DOST.

The honorary Doctor of Laws degree is usually given to statesmen or women from here or abroad, or very successful business taipans or captains of industry.

“I was surprised but definitely honored,”Dela Pena told the STAR.

De la Peña served as director for the UP Institute for Small Scale Industries from 1992 to 2001 and as vice president for planning and development for the entire UP System from 1993 to 1999.

Prior to his current appointment as the DOST Secretary, he served as undersecretary for the science agency under two administrations.

“Under his leadership, the DOST has taken on ‘Science for the People’ as its battle cry, actively seeking means by which science can best serve the needs and interests of the Filipino people and support the socio-economic development of all Filipinos, particularly those in the neediest regions,” the citation of the UP System read.

Also conferred the Doctor of Laws degree by the UP System this year are Senators Loren Legarda and Cynthia Villar.