PRESS RELEASE                                                                     
Department of Foreign Affairs
2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                    *      Tel. No. 834-4000                                                 *     www.dfa.gov.ph
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SFA-DDA-225-04                                                                                                                             2 April  2004
 

SECRETARY ALBERT ACCEPTS HONORARY DEGREE CONFERRED BY PWU;
UNDERSCORES WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

 
02 April 2004 - In a fitting ceremony held at the Philippine International Convention Center this morning, 2 April 2004, the Philippine Women’s University (PWU) President, Dr. Amelou Benitez-Reyes, and the Board of Trustees chaired by Dr. Helena Z. Benitez, conferred on Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert the degree of Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa, during the university’s 81st Commencement Exercises and 85th anniversary, whose long career and performance in the foreign service are consistent with the mission and vision of the PWU.
 
The citation, read by Dr. Manuel S. Alba, took cognizance of Secretary Albert’s efforts as a woman leader and a career diplomat “towards building a gender-fair society”.  It also cited her role as the first woman Secretary of Foreign Affairs who broke the gender barrier, “thereby opening a field of achievement for women of talent, dedication and merit.”

The Board of Visitors who witnessed the conferment of the honorary degree to Secretary Delia Domingo Albert included the Embassy of Iran’s Charge d’Affaires, Jalal Kalantari; Xiao Quian of the People’s Republic of China; French Ambassador Renee Veyret, Ambassador Lise Favre of Switzerland; Ambassador Ruth Lorraine Pearce of Australia; US Cultural Attache, Dr. Thomas Kral; and CHED Chairman Dr. Rolando Dizon, represented by Dr. Manuel Punzal.  A plaque of appreciation was presented to each of them.  In her acceptance speech, Secretary Albert expressed her appreciation for the recognition conferred on her.

As this year’s commencement speaker, Secretary Albert called on the new graduates to deepen their education, training in leadership and global competence through spiritual transformation.  Speaking before the 800 candidates for graduation and about 2,000 guests, the Secretary underscored the value placed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on education which was also what enable President Diosdado Macapagal to rise above poverty and attain the highest office in the country.

In attendance were officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs officials, friends of the Secretary from the academe and the various women’s  organizations.  END.