UPV Chancellor Dr. Minda J. Formacion: Seasoned by time and experience
You see the brisk, confident strides as she goes around and about the campus - the animated conversations with colleagues and students. Strike a conversation with her and you sense the sharpness of her mind, her wit, and her humor.
Tireless, energetic, vibrant, sharp, young looking – these are some of the words that describe Dr. Minda J. Formacion, 8th Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Visayas. No small feat for a faculty administrator who, at age 62, shows no sign of slowing down.
A Career in the Academe
Dr. Formacion started her long-term relationship with UP Visayas in July 1966 as an Office Assistant, fresh from earning her BS Zoology degree from UP Diliman. In less than five months, she became a faculty member and has, since then, diligently worked her way up the ranks to her present post as Professor 12, the highest in UPV.
As a faculty member, she knew the value of further studies and further training to hone her knowledge in her field of specialization. Thus, she went to UP Diliman for an MA in Teaching Biology, finishing in 1975, and for an MS Zoology degree, graduating in 1983. Finally, in 1992, she obtained her PhD Zoology at the National University of Singapore.
A Seasoned Administrator
Dr. Formacion is no stranger to administrative responsibilities. In the same way that she has slowly but steadily built her academic reputation as a conscientious teacher and a dedicated researcher and scientist, she started at the most basic level of faculty administration, that is, as Chair of the Division of Biological Sciences, a post she held twice – in 1979-1981 and 1983-1985. From 1992 to 1993, she was the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs while, in 1994, she was a member of the UP Board of Regents serving in her capacity as the first Faculty Regent of UPV.
Holding the post of the Dean of CAS for two terms (1996-1999 and 1999-2002) has further sharpened her administrative acumen. The College of Arts and Sciences is the biggest college of UPV and one of its most vibrant and dynamic colleges with one of biggest student population and offering one of the most varied degree programs.
An Accomplished Academician
Dr. Formacion is the recipient of various awards, grants, and scholarships. She received a Monbusho Research Scholarship at Nagoya University, Japan (1981-1983). Her scholarship award from the RP/IBRD (1985-1989) National University of Singapore and a research scholarship from the same institution (1989-1991) funded her studies for a doctoral degree. She received the UPV Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Published Research in 1995, the UP System Creative and Research Program in2004-2005, the Best Adviser Award, Natural Sciences Cluster, in the 1st UPV Graduate Research Conference in 2005, and the several UP Professorial Chair Awards.
As a published author in her field, Dr. Formacion has authored several articles in IS journals that include, among others, the reproductive biology of clams and gold fish. She also co-authored textbooks in biology and was among the first of the UPV faculty members to create an interactive learning material called “Sex Cells in the Making.”
Because she is as much a teacher and a scientist, Dr. Formacion has been very active in presenting her papers and attending research trainings not only in the Philippines but also in other countries.
Knowing the value of interacting with colleagues outside of UP to establish linkages and networks for academic collaboration, she is very much involved in many professional organizations. Some of these are, the National Research Council of the Philippines where she served as Chair in the Visayas Regional Cluster (2005-2009); BIOTA-Philippines Iloilo Chapter wherein she was its first President from 1979-1981; the Philippine Society for Microbiology (PSM) where she was the Business Manager in 2007-2008; the Women Association of Scientists of the Philippines (WASP), and PHILAJAMES-Visayas Chapter wherein she served as its President in 2001-2002.
Heeding the tripartite call of the University to teach, do research, and render extension work, Dr. Formacion is never too busy to extend her expertise in various lectures, foras, talks and the like. She would serve as, among other things, a lecturer, resource person, presenter, facilitator, evaluator, and organizer.
Dr. Formacion sees her responsible leadership of UPV in forging ahead the plans and programs of UP in its tripartite functions of teaching, research, and extension services. Foremost of this is advancing the development of the CU resources such as faculty members, REPS, staff and students as well as it facilities and real properties.
Total commitment, dedication, and utmost patience in dealing with her duties as a UPV Chancellor are the marks of her leadership.
As the 8th Chancellor of UP Visayas, her term will end in October 2011 less than three weeks before she retires on November 18 at 65.
What an excellent moment this would be to end a stellar career in the University.
Investiture Rites and Commencement Exercises
On Tuesday, 28 April 2009, UP Visayas will hold an investiture ceremony for Chancellor Formacion at 4:30 pm, Iloilo City campus. The day will also mark the UPV’s 30th Commencement Exercises.
A day before, on April 27, UPV will have its PAPURI ceremony, a recognition program for student achievers at the UPV Auditorium, and the Baccalaureate Exercises at the UPV Quadrangle as well as the PARANGAL at the UPV Auditorium in honor of the graduating students.
Meanwhile, the UPV Cebu College and the UPV Tacloban College will have their Commencement Exercises at on April 29 and April 30, respectively.
The UPV Cebu High School had its graduation ceremony on April 15, 2009 while the UP High School in Iloilo will have theirs on April 22, 2009.