The Society of Fellows

Aside from aiming to be the research university DLSU swore to become, the University also invests on other functions such as the quality of faculty, examined through their research output and teaching qualifications, one of the criteria in becoming an internationally recognized university.

Hence, DLSU only sees it fitting to recognize the crème de la crème of its faculty, those who have produced outstanding research, teaching and administrative capabilities, over the course of their tenure.

These faculty fall under a special category: University Fellows.

In higher education, a fellow is a title of distinction awarded to individuals who are recognized by their peers in their field of specialization and in the University. In international contexts, fellows are often typified as falling under the research or teaching fellow categories, indicating the merit upon which their fellowship is based.

While DLSU has its share of research and graduate fellows, who are not necessarily faculty of the University, but contributing to the research production duly sponsored and credited by DLSU’s many research centers, DLSU’s Society of Fellows consists of the University’s teaching fellows, or distinguished faculty.

Becoming part of the Society

Dr. Raymond Girard Tan, a University Fellow from the Chemical Engineering department, shares, “Generally you need a bit of time to establish that you contributed something, again it could be research or some combination of research, management and teaching, even other work; the kind of work perhaps considered out of the ordinary.”

During the Society’s founding back in the 1980’s, the college deans of the different colleges (Computer Studies, Science, the then Business and Economics and Liberal Arts) simply nominated the most outstanding faculty of their college to form the initial Fellows. In cases where there were no ‘outstanding faculty’ in possession of a doctorate degree, the deans automatically took on the responsibility of being a Fellow.

Dr. Tereso Tullao, a founding Fellow from the School of Economics (SOE), relates that the application procedure for becoming a Fellow now is much more stringent than it was in the past.

“You have to excel in teaching [or be an] outstanding teacher, relates Tullao. “[You have to be] recommended by fellow faculty member, not necessarily a fellow, as anyone can nominate one outstanding teacher. Then you also have outstanding research by your publications. They are very strict on publication; they look for your ISI publications.”

ISI publications refer to articles or papers published in journals accredited by the Institute for Scientific Information.

Besides teaching and research, another criterion that is used to measure eligibility for fellowship is management skill or administrative experience. “[It is] one of the things you look at, what has this person done to help out the university, it is part of the equation but then again we do not put specific weight, you can make up with a short coming in other areas,” says Tan.

Tan clarifies, however, that there is no hard and fast percentage breakdown of admission into the Society. “The criteria vary,” he adds. “Some people would have more than the other [teaching, research or administrative skill] or one less of the other, but the voting is really subjective.”

The process of selection is discussed during the annual Fellow’s meeting, where part of the agenda is the nomination of new Fellows. Nominations are then submitted to the chancellor, who convenes a board composed of a Fellow from each college as well as the dean of the faculty member nominated for membership.

“Usually the chancellor has knowledge of this person, not only [with reference to] academic and research capabilities, but also some of his or her personal traits; sometimes, because of that, you are not accepted,” comments Tullao.

Benefits of membership into the Society include tax breaks in income, priority in selection of subjects, a Fellowship medal, a special toga and place during graduation as well as exclusive usage of the Society’s conference room on the second floor of the Yuchengco hall. Given such, benefits are comparatively small. The position of Fellow, more than having any administrative function, leans more towards prestige and ceremony associated with the academic tradition.

Incomparable recognition

Recognition is the most significant aspect of being a fellow. The notion that the University appreciates one’s pure intent in being of service not only to cope with one’s goals or desires, but also to a bigger scale of making change in society.

Tullao points, “Everyone wants to become a fellow not because they want to have a toga, huge medal, or parking space; it is really the prestige of being a member, to bond with the best teachers not only of the university but of the country.”