Toughest subjects in DLSU: The School of Economics

“On the other hand, DLSU is the only university in the entire country that offers such subject that is taught by a distinguished professor.”

There are other PH universities that teach econometrics, and whose professors are also ‘distinguished’. 🙂 Econometrics professors in UP Diliman include among many Josef Yap, who was former president at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies; Stella Luz Quimbo, President of the Philippine Economics Society; and Geoffrey Ducanes who was awarded the outstanding Young Scientists Award in the field of Economics last year.. The author might be more careful with what he/she will write the next time.

Wow. Did the LaSallian actually allow this to be published? Other than the fact that it’s badly written (poorly structured, inconsistent tense, heavy handed with passive voice, tiresome metaphors), the authors clearly haven’t done their research. I normally don’t mind subpar literary abilities, but journalists are expected to have a modicum of research skills at the very least.

Had research been done, the authors would have been able to project DLSU’s economics program in a more positive light. They’d know that there are other economics programs that have students dealing with both differentials as well as “alphas, betas, lambdas and taus” in freshman year, in the very first math and introductory microeconomics courses. In contrast, the article makes it seem as though DLSU springs such impossibly tough concepts on students, making La Salle’s program seem structurally inferior. I know this is untrue, but other students looking for good economics programs might not. I hope the authors realize that what they write reflects the quality of their school. If DLSU students think that basic economics concepts are as fearsome as this article makes them out to be, it calls into question La Salle’s teaching capacity. Are they teaching such an interesting field so poorly that students “wet their beds at night”, shake their heads and grind their teeth in frustration? Metaphors can be fun, but must be used appropriately.

Had research been done, the author’s limited understanding of the content would not show through so clearly. Because of the lack of understanding, the courses sound tough but without redeeming value. In reference to econometrics, the article says “Some students say that this is of no use when they graduate, especially when they do not intend to pursue a career in research.” That the authors don’t even cite one practical use outside of public research tells me that even a simple Google search wasn’t done. Search engines are our friends, people. An elementary example- http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/ten-practical-applications-of-econometrics.html

Then, the only compensation the article offers is that “DLSU is the only university in the entire country that offers such subject that is taught by a Distinguished Professor.” (more on that later) How does this serve to motivate people to take it up or for those currently taking it, to finish it? Another example of limited understanding, “…it seems like nothing can take the differentials out of these students.” Hell, I’m an economics graduate and I don’t know how you can take a differential out of someone. I don’t even know how a person can have dxs and dys in them to begin with… Bottom line, don’t use technical terms when they’re not needed. This isn’t an academic journal, no need for jargon.

Finally, my biggest peeve with the article— had research been done, appropriate distinction could have been made. “DLSU is the only university in the entire country that offers such subject that is taught by a Distinguished Professor.” Unless Taft is a country, this is patently untrue. Again, search engines are your friend! FEU has Dr. Alba. UPLB has a plethora of distinguished professors, especially in the niche of agri econ. Need I even mention the UP School of Economics, being the only CHED Center for Excellence in Economics in the Philippines? Dr. Quimbo is PES president, Dr. Ducanes was awarded outstanding Young Scientists Award in Economics, Dr. Yap was former PIDS president, Dr. Solon was consultant to the health secretary. Distinction isn’t even limited to those teaching econometrics. If you pull up the Philippine Economic Society’s webpage, many of the officers hail from UPSE too. Former NEDA chief Dr. Paderanga was even a La Sallian himself. I could cite many more examples, but my point remains- when authors fail to do their research, not only does it reflect badly on their skills and the school/entity they represent, they inadvertently step on people’s toes. Want to be a good writer? Don’t be careless.