March 21, 2014 03:33 AM
By: Lucell Larawan
SOME raise their eyebrows when they hear about Ph.D. bestowed through honoris causa.
According to Bishop Ariel P. Coleto of Brethren Evangelical School of Theology, an honorary doctorate degree bears more weight compared to doctorate degrees earned through matriculation (or the traditional method) for the reason that those who are chosen to receive the honorary degree first did something to their milieu that is why they are considered for such honor, while those who earn the degree by traditional means they have yet to prove themselves which they do so through formal study and research having lacked actual stints.
The latter have not yet shown the glitters of their actual accomplishments to the world. Bishop Coleto could not have emphasized this better.
I am thankful for the Ph.D. in Social Sciences and Fine Arts given to me by the Brethren Evangelical School in partnership with Edenton Mission College (CHED accredited).
An honorary degree bestowed by a theology institution is more prestigious for it includes matters of integrity and character, not just the achievements of an individual. I am humbled for being a chosen awardee among many.
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During the bestowal of the honorary doctorate degrees last March 17 at Hotel Del Rio, Bishop Ed Fernandez of Lift Jesus Worldwide Ministries (main office at Jereos Extension, Lapaz) spoke:
Universities usually award honorary degrees during graduation ceremonies to a distinguished person, who may have no previous connection to the awarding institution. In many cases, universities may nominate several people for the honor after which they screen nominees before approving the award. The practice of awarding honorary doctorate degrees dates back to the 15th century. The tradition became common in the later part of 16th century at Oxford and Cambridge universities in England. Noted recipients of honorary degrees include former presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, historian John Hope Franklin, evangelist Billy Graham, and CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour. These recipients have set themselves apart and established credibility.
Credibility is not always equated with much-celebrated but proof-seeking titles like PhD. Most earn it through formal schooling. We do not disregard the traditional method of earning a doctorate degree; although we also note that in many cases the traditional method of earning the degree may not always ensure clear outcomes as many doctoral graduates nowadays – as observed in the schools – do not yet exhibit competencies like doing researches beyond a dissertation requirement and publishing in international refereed journals which they are expected to accomplish. For non-academic practitioners, can the products of formal schooling always make informed judgments on complex issues in specialist fields, or perhaps conceptualize, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline? With these issues, academes internationally go beyond just one pattern of granting the doctorate degree and become more conscious of outcomes.
In a scholarly article by Hoddell, Street and Wildblood, there is now a broad range of doctorate qualifications on offer: a) the traditional, research-based PhD; b) practice-based doctorates for the creative and performing arts and design; c) professional doctorates; d) the new route doctorates; and e) PhD by publication in peer-reviewed scholarly journals.
In lieu of the typical 72 units subjects credit, a comprehensive exam and a dissertation that are commonly required in our country’s universities, the conferring academe can also look first at qualification descriptors like some mentioned earlier; and by virtue of merits, grant the doctorate honoris causa to the deserving exemplars. In exceptional cases, academes bestow an honorary doctoral degree on a selective basis to distinguished individuals (“Candidates”) who merit special recognition for outstanding achievement or leadership in a field or activity consistent with the ideals and purposes of the B.E.S.T. and Edenton Mission College.
The candidates we have today have possessed proofs that the academes giving the honorary doctorate are looking for. They are noted in their respective fields. One of them is an editorial board member of two international refereed journals; another is a consultant of the World Bank; three are public service exemplars, among others.
Without this conferral of doctorate honoris causa today, society will seem remiss with reinforcing the culture of excellence coined by our Filipino terms like “pulidong-pulido”, and “ang husay-husay”. Though the culture of society, in general, is not yet fully attuned to reinforcing meritorious works, now is the time to commit to it and encourage a culture of excellence which our country needs badly.
By properly recognizing achievements, we can breed exemplars who do not only have the practice-based or scholarly-based stints needed for nation-building; we also produce men and women who can continue to excel in their fields while possess a God-fearing mindset and a high level of ethical, moral and social responsibility emphases in the practice of their respective professions.
I charge the candidates of the honorary doctorate degrees to make prodigies continually in your respective areas; and please remember that only few individuals can walk the talk. Let them be you and let your identities be known for impeccable integrity and humility, among others. Let your faces shine with the fruit of the Holy Spirit as we all acknowledge that without God, we know nothing and understand nothing.
For you candidates, I know this occasion can make a difference in your life. Joyce Carol Oates averred: “Honorary degrees and lifetime achievement awards are very encouraging. I know that it might sound strange that a writer who has published many books still needs encouragement, but this is true.”
Continue your distinguished journey and let us see more of your impact in your respective contexts.
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Congratulations to my fellow doctors awarded via honoris causa: Vice Gov. Raul Tupas, Mayor Alex Centena of Calinog, Engr. Armando Aguja, Hon. Atty. Joshua Alim, Rolando Berdejo and Raymond Peter Tolentino.
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