A STERLING roster of retired Philippine ambassadors, dedicated chief executives and noteworthy public officials were recently welcomed as members of two Councils of Advisers (COA) of the School of Diplomacy and Governance (SDG) of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB).
The COA supports the goal of the inclusive and innovative institution to shape future leaders in the fields of international affairs and diplomacy, governance, public administration and management through combined theory and practice.
The practitioners, according to DLS-CSB offer expert advice on the educational curriculum and plans of Benilde SDG’s two programs: Diplomacy and International Affairs, as well as Governance and Public Affairs. They take part in substantive meetings and exchanges with fellow public administrators and academicians who share their common goal of creating a positive impact on diplomacy and governance education in the Philippines. They likewise champion the industry-academe partnership through networking, which bridges the community of learners and sector authorities.
Trustees for the Diplomacy and International Affairs are esteemed veteran ambassadors Marilyn Alarilla (formerly assigned to Turkey); Minda Calaguian-Cruz (envoy to Australia); Luz Palacios (former chief of mission); Antonio Rodriguez (was ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary to Thailand, and dean of the diplomatic corps); and Monina Callangan-Rueca (diplomat designated in Hungary).
The COA for Governance and Public Affairs includes Mayor Victor Ma. Regis “Vico” Sotto of Pasig City; political scientist and former dean of the University of the Philippines Diliman-National College of Public Administration and Governance Dr. Alex Brillantes Jr.; Manila Water Co. Inc. East Zone Enterprise Regulatory Affairs Director Atty. Jo Kristine Celera-Revil; Institute of Politics and Governance Executive Director Arline Santos; and Cavite Provincial Administrator Alvin Mojica.
“The COA provides [a key] contribution to the various programs in Benilde because of their expertise, experience, and excellence [in] their respective disciplines,” DLS-CSB SDG Dean Gary Ador Dionisio, DPA stated. “Their impeccable and untarnished public-service records from their local and global assignments are key lessons that students should learn and live by. Their actual experiences in their fields of specializations will be a vital reference for future research and enhancement of the disciplines of diplomacy, international relations, governance, and public administration.”