facultynews

Cruz delivers 2001 Jose Rizal Lecture, attends French educational exhibit

Dr. Isagani Cruz of the International Studies (IS) Department delivered the 2001 Jose Rizal Lecture in the 43rd Annual Conference of the Philippine Center of International PEN (playwrights, essayists, novelists). It was held at the CAP Building in Dumaguete City on November 30. The Jose Rizal Lecture is the most prestigious annual lecture among writers. Claro M. Recto gave the first lecture in 1958.

Cruz spoke in Filipino on “Ang Kritikang Pampanitikan ni Jose Rizal.” He used the original Spanish, German, and French critical theory texts of Rizal and applied the national hero’s critical theory to the latest books in English of National Artists F. Sionil Jose and Edith L. Tiempo. Both Jose and Tiempo were recipients of honoris causa doctoral degrees from DLSU-M.

Since 1921, when it was founded in London by John Galsworthy, International PEN has endured as the only worldwide organization of literary writers. It has grown to include Centers on six continents with a total membership of more than 10,000.

In related news, Cruz, chair of the IS Department, and Dr. Estrellita Gruenberg, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, were guests of the French Government during the EDUCATEC 2001 educational exhibition held in Paris on November 21-25.

Gruenberg and Cruz also met with officials of the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They also met with the administrators of various French educational institutions, to discuss scholarships for Filipino students to France. They were part of a group of Filipino educators from government and academe.

ME faculty shares expertise at student confab

Chair Dr. Manuel Belino and Dr. Alvin Culaba of the Mechanical Engineering Department were guest speakers during the 3rd Mechanical Engineering Student Conference held on November 23-24 at the Don Bosco Technical College in Mandaluyong City.

Belino talked about environmental ethics for engineers, while Culaba spoke on environmental management. They were joined by the officers of the Mechanical Engineering Society (MES) as student delegates in the conference.

In related news, Godofredo Salazar, another faculty member of the department, participated in the 6th Annual Conference on Mini-Hydro Development on November 22-23.

The Philippine Association of Small Scale Hydropower, Inc., organized the conference with the theme, “Challenges in a Privatized and Restructured Power Industry,” in coordination with the Department of Energy.