Rolando de la Rosa

Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P., is the Rector Magnificus (president) of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome, as of 1 September 2016.

Rolando de la Rosa
95th Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas
In office
2008–2012
Preceded byRev. Fr. Prof. Dr. Ernesto Arceo, OP
Succeeded byVery Rev. Fr. Prof. Dr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P., Ph.D., M.A.
Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education
In office
October 18, 2004  April 4, 2005
Preceded byRolando Ramos Dizon
Succeeded byCarlito Puno
92nd Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas
In office
1990–1998
Preceded byFr. Norberto M. Castillo, O.P
Succeeded byFr. Tamerlane R. Lana, O.P
President of the Association of Catholic Universities of the Philippines
In office
1990–1998
President of the International Council of Universities of Saint Thomas Aquinas
In office
1996–1998
Provincial Councilor of Dominican Province of the Philippines
In office
1996–1998
Rector of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba
In office
1998–2004
Personal details
Born (1953-06-27) June 27, 1953
Legazpi, Albay
Alma materUniversity of Santo Tomas

Formerly, he served as the Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Asia. A religious leader and a seasoned educator, he was appointed by then Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the chairman of the Commission on Higher Education in 2004.[1][2]

Early years and education

de la Rosa was born on June 27, 1953, in Manila where he spent his childhood. He completed his basic education courses at the Aquinas University in Rawis, Legazpi City, studied AB Philosophy and graduated magna cum laude from the Dominican House of Studies.[1] He also graduated magna cum laude from the University of Santo Tomas with a degree in Bachelor of Sacred Theology in 1980. He was ordained priest in the Dominican Order on April 3, 1982.[1]

In 1984, Fr. de la Rosa earned his Licentiate in Sacred Theology degree, magna cum laude, and Master of Arts in higher religious studies, summa cum laude, both from UST. In the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, he completed the doctoral degrees, graduating magna cum laude in two programs: higher religious studies and sacred theology, in 1988.[1]

Career

He served his first two terms as rector of the University of Santo Tomas for eight years, from 1990 to 1998. His aims as rector and president were to develop the university's research capabilities, and expand their outreach programs for community service. He established the Research and Endowment Foundation Incorporated to generate funds to finance continuing research activities in the university. Through this foundation, he was able to generate enough funds to establish the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex that houses today the various research centers in the university as well as the Graduate School. To strengthen and expand the community outreach programs of the university, he established the Office for Community Development which later evolved into the UST SIMBAHAYAN, the umbrella project for all university outreach programs focused on five K's: Karunungan (Knowledge transfer), Kalusugan (Medical missions), Kabuhayan (livelihood projects), Kanlungan (housing projects for the poor and those affected by natural disasters), and Kapayapaan (peace education for communities torn by religious and other conflicts.

As Rector, he became president of the Association of Catholic Universities of the Philippines and a two-time President of the ICUSTA International Council of Universities of Saint Thomas Aquinas. He was the founding president of the DOMNET (Network of Dominican Schools, Colleges and Universities in the Philippines) in 1995. He was chair of the Organizing Committee of the International Youth Forum for the World Youth Day in 1995.[3]

He held various positions in the Dominican Province of the Philippines like Master of Novices, Diffinitor of the Provincial Chapter, Provincial Councilor, as well as Rector of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba.[2]

In 2008, he was again appointed by the Master of the Dominican Order as Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas (2008–2012).[3]

He had received numerous awards for his professional and civic achievements, like the National Book Award in History, the Catholic Authors Award, the Outstanding Manilan Award (1995 and 2011), Kyung Hee University (Korea) Medal of Highest Honor, and the 2012 Outstanding CEO Award in Education.

Fr. de la Rosa has written hundreds of articles and scholarly treatises, some of which has been translated into German and French, or anthologized in international publications. His book "Beginnings of the Filipino Dominicans" won the National Book Award in History in 1991.

References

  1. UST Installs Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, OP, 95th Rector University of Santo Tomas Website May 11, 2012
  2. Father Rolando V. de la Rosa, OP: New Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education Manila Bulletin Website May 11, 2012
  3. De la Rosa elected Rector The Varsitarian Website May 11, 2012
  • Total Awards Biography of Fr. de la Rosa
Political offices
Preceded by
Rolando Ramos Dizon
Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education
20042005
Succeeded by
Carlito Puno
Academic offices
Preceded by
Fr. Norberto M. Castillo, O.P.
Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas
1990–1994, 1994–1998
Succeeded by
Fr. Tamerlane R. Lana, O.P.
Preceded by
Fr. Ernesto M. Arceo, O.P.
Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas
2007–2008 (Acting), 2008–2012
Succeeded by
Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P.
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