UST RECTOR Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. has been conferred an honorary doctor of letters by the University of Notre Dame Australia (UNDA) for his academic and ecclesiastical leadership and contributions to philosophical research across the Asia-Pacific.
The degree was awarded by UNDA Chancellor Christopher Ellison in recognition of Ang’s academic leadership and his work in promoting dialogue between eastern and western philosophical and theological traditions.
“The University commended Fr. Ang’s lifetime dedication to the integration of faith and reason, his advocacy for moral and civic responsibility in education, and his unique ability to bridge cultures and philosophies,” the UNDA said.
The event was held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney, Australia and was attended by UNDA officials, faculty members and graduates. As part of his visit, Ang concelebrated the Sydney Graduation Mass on April 30 and spoke at an alumni gathering organized by the faculty where he earned his master’s degree.
Ang obtained six degrees in UST, all with Latin honors. An Artlets graduate, he earned his Bachelor of Arts major in Philosophy degree cum laude in 1990. Ang graduated magna cum laude with a Licentiate in Philosophy degree (1994) before finishing summa cum laude in Sacred Theology (1997) at the UST Ecclesiastical Faculties.
He also earned his double degrees of Licentiate in Sacred Theology and Master of Arts in Higher Religious Studies in 1999, magna cum Laude, at the UST Ecclesiastical Faculties and UST Graduate School. In 2010, Ang finished summa cum laude with a Doctor in Philosophy degree, also at the UST Ecclesiastical Faculties.
Ang entered the University as a faculty member in 2001 before becoming a presider for the Economic Council, the Council of Regents and the Academic Senate from 2012 to 2020.
In the same period, Ang became the vice rector under his predecessor, former rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P., while serving as the chairman of the University’s Retirement Board, Scholarship Committee and Manpower Committee. He was also the Faculty of Philosophy dean.
Ang began his term as UST rector at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. During this time, Ang oversaw the University’s transition to enriched virtual mode learning and implemented support systems for both students and faculty, including enhanced health services, expanded access to online learning platforms and financial assistance for those affected by the crisis.
He also authorized the UST Hospital to operate as a COVID-19 referral center during the height of the health emergency.
Other key events under Ang’s leadership during the health crisis include UST’s inauguration of the Santa Rosa campus in Laguna that focuses on research and innovation and the General Santos campus in Mindanao, which serves a predominantly Muslim community.
In a citation read during its ceremony, UNDA also lauded Ang’s longstanding commitment to integrating faith and reason, promoting the moral and civic responsibility in education and bridging cultures and philosophies.
“In an age of complexity and division…Fr. Ang’s intellectual and spiritual leadership provides a model of unity, discernment, and hope,” the Sydney-based university added.
Ordained in 1998, Ang is serving his second term as UST’s 97th rector. In September last year, he listed six priorities under his “Vision 2028,” a roadmap that aims to uplift the University’s research production, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Over the next four years, the roadmap plans to enhance the quality of academic research and community service, expand research and innovation in different campuses, advance the operations of UST Hospital’s private and clinical divisions, improve student welfare and support services, strengthen partnerships with government and industry, and increase public visibility and engagement.
In March, the UST Manila and Legazpi campuses inked a partnership through mutually beneficial programs aimed at strengthening and developing the University’s “brand” as the oldest Catholic university in Asia.
While the Legazpi campus is considered independent from UST, the collaboration would promote the “UST brand” and “advance synergy” among disciplines, units and institutions, Ang said.
“We start with what is basic. We mean mutual benefits, helping each other, trying to enrich the program of schools also associated with UST Manila. We will have to help the UST brand, we will have to promote and develop the UST brand,” Ang told The Flame in a previous interview.
READ: Manila, Legazpi campuses to boost partnership to develop ‘UST brand,’ rector says
The honorary doctorate degree is a prestigious academic honor granted by UNDA to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to society in areas such as science, business, literature, media and the Catholic Church. F
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