MANILA, Philippines – The search for the next chancellor of the Diliman campus of the University of the Philippines has started with the release of the nominees Monday, January 20.

Chancellors exercise adminsitrative power in their respective constituent universities under the system, according to Section 18 of the Republic Act 9500. Current UP Diliman Chancellor Caesar Saloma’s term will end on March 1, 2014.

Saloma is nominated for a second, while there are 5 other names on the list released by the search committee. They are: 

1. Dr. Patrick Alain T. Azanza, currently the Corporate Secretary and Vice President for Business Operations of the Eclaro Group of Companies. 

2. Dr. Sylvia E. Claudio, Director of the Center for Women’s Studies & Professor at the UP College of Social Work and Community Development.

3. Dr. Roger D. Posadas, Professional Lecturer in the UP Technology Management Center.

4. Prof. Nestor O. Rañeses, Assistant Vice President for Administration, Director Institute of Small Scale Industries and Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering & Operations Research in UP Diliman.

5. Dr. Michael L. Tan, Dean of the UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy and Professor of Anthropology.

Among the qualifications for chancellor is the “commitment to academic freedom and the values and ideals” that the state university is known for. 

The university will conduct a series of forum, where the nominees will present their vision papers to the Diliman community. They then be interviewed by the search committee. 

The committee will then submit their report to the Board of Regents, the highest policy-making body of the university. 

The new chancellor is expected to be announced on February 27, according to the memo released by UP President Alfredo Pascual. – Rappler.com