Prof. Michael Tan underscores the faculty members’ ethical competence aside from technical competence.
The junior faculty members of the University of the Philippines Manila participated in a three-day in-person training workshop designed to enhance their competencies as educators and as effective leaders of the academe. The event which was held from April 12-14, 2023 connected 40 faculty members from across the colleges, providing new opportunities for collaboration.
Following the theme, “Empowering Our Own: Cultivating Academic Leadership among UP Manila Junior Faculty,” resource speakers imparted their knowledge and experiences to mentor and provide direction to the next generation of UP Manila faculty.
Educator’s Toolbox
Sessions on the first day of the conference focused on learning new skills and re-thinking teaching tools in order to meet the needs of Gen Z learners.
Dr. Evangeline dela Fuente, chair of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, UP College of Medicine, advised faculty members that understanding the traits that make Gen Z students unique as individuals and as learners will help them better connect, inspire, and relate to them in the classroom.
“Many of us wonder, ‘Bakit gano’n sila? Hindi sila katulad ko? Hindi talaga,’” Dr. dela Fuente said as she added that honing their communication skills (verbal and non-verbal) is the best way
to navigate through generational differences.
Developing the Professional Portfolio
On the second day of training, the faculty participants were mentored in developing and maximizing their TREF (Teaching, Research, Extension, Faculty Development) portfolio. The sessions aimed to assist the faculty in maintaining academic profiles that would not only open doors for promo-
tion, but also serve as an avenue to track their career progression.
“You have to address the needs of the company,” said Prof. Ma. Milagros Laurel. The former faculty of the Department of English and Comparative Literature at UP Diliman warned the professors against writing a generic curriculum vitae, and reminded them that they must adjust it correspondingly to the post they are applying for.
Conversations on Leadership
On the last day, faculty members took advantage of the opportunity to get close and personal with the University’s highly respected leaders. Topics varied from work-life balance, administrative responsibilities, and personal challenges which were candidly addressed by former UP Diliman Chancellor Michael Tan, former Vice President for Academic Affairs Maria Cynthia Rose Bautista, and UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla.
According to Dr. Padilla, “develop an eager core,” because had she refused the many things that she was offered before, she would not be the leader that
she is today. “There has to be a conscious effort on your end that you want to grow. But there will be many unconscious times wherein there are opportunities for growth,” she said. “And I want you to open your hearts and definitely not refuse.”
Dr. Tan underlined the need for ethical competence. Being an effective leader, according to him,
entails the ability to reflect and discern. His presentation highlighted challenges faced by the junior faculty as well as opportunities for growth beyond technical competencies. He left the faculty to ponder on the question: “Are you able to evaluate at arm’s length that you are not caught up in contributing conflicts of interest?” Finally, he expected the participants to return to the campus inspired by a renewed commitment to the students and the university that they serve.
“At the end of the day, you have to have a spiritual core,” Dr. Bautista said, “…because that is the only way you can address and weather the challenges of academic leadership.”
The UP Manila Junior Faculty Program is a collaboration between the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the University’s Committee on Instruction. I Anne Marie Alto
