A day filled with glitz and excitement honored the launching of the newest PhD program of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)– the Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Diplomacy and Negotiations last June 5, 2023, in celebration of World Environment Day at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). 

The PICC welcomed personalities from the academe, government, private sector and international agencies, who are very supportive and interested in the new PhD program that will be offered by the School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM) in collaboration with the UPLB Graduate School (GS). The launching had two parts– the technical session in the afternoon and the cocktail program in the evening was highlighted with the messages of support from the heads of different sectors. A press conference was also conducted in between the activities.

Dr. Rico C. Ancog, Dean, SESAM said that this reflects what the School has done or engaged in the past decade. He added that there has been a paradigm shift on how we view environmental science and the way we practice environmental management. “Today is a very important day for all of us, we are not just celebrating the world environment day, but also indeed we are offering the newest in the University of the Philippines System, particularly the PhD Environmental Diplomacy and Negotiations by the School of Environmental Science and Management”, Dr. Ancog announced.

Dr. Jose V. Camacho, Jr., Chancellor, UPLB was very proud to recount SESAM’s journey in building this new program. “What makes this new PhD an innovative program is that this is the first in the country, and perhaps in the world, focusing on environmental negotiations and diplomacy”, Dr. Camacho stressed.

For his part, UP Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Leo D.P. Cubillan said that this is a significant milestone for UP. “Creating pioneering programs aligned well with our university’s mandate as a national university and as a leader in graduate education”, Dr. Cubillan said.

Former UPLB VIce Chancellor for Research and Extension and former SESAM Dean, Dr. Maria Victoria O Espaldon facilitated the technical session and introduced the guest speakers who discussed the relevance and importance of PhD EDN– Dr. Ben S. Malayang, Professor Emeritus of Silliman University and former Dean of SESAM-UPLB and Atty. Al Orolfo, Director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Foreign Assisted Special Projects (FASP).

Dr. Malayang, highlighted the importance of the new PhD program in the academe and mentioned that scientists must talk using the language of ordinary people so the public will understand them better. “With the PhD Environmental Diplomacy and Negotiations, schools can look how good science can avert environmental conflicts’, Dr. Malayang he added. 

Atty. Al Orolfo, meanwhile said that the new PhD program will help more professionals to become good negotiators and learn the language of the locals. “We always go back to science for informed decision-making”, he stressed. Dir. Orolfo, represented Usec. Jonas Leones of DENR, who is also an alumnus of SESAM-UPLB.

In her standpoint, British Ambassador Laure Beaufils said that the international community will appreciate the institutionalization of the PhD EDN program. She added that applying science in diplomacy and negotiation will be an advantage in policy making and its implementation.

After the technical session, a press conference was attended by different media outlets. A cocktail event concluded the launching which was attended by members of the diplomatic community, officials of various government, private and international institutions. 

UP officials, led by UP President, Atty. Angelo A. Jimenez, UP Vice President for Academic Affairs Cubillan, UP Faculty Regent Carl Marc L. Ramota, and UPLB Chancellor Camacho, Jr. UPLB Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Roberto P. Cereno, and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Janette H. Malata-Silva, and UPLB Graduate School Dean Jomar F. Rabajante joined the cocktails the event and expressed their support to SESAM-UPLB.