Dr. Marquez Officially Assumes UPPI Directorship Highlighting Her Vision on TRUST
UPPI Director Dr. Maria Paz N. Marquez (left) alongside her 2026-2029 vision board collage for the Institute (right)
The University of the Philippines Population Institute (UPPI) formally welcomed Dr. Maria Paz N. Marquez as its new Director during the Directorship Turnover Ceremony held on 28 August 2026. Outgoing Director Dr. Elma P. Laguna presented her 2024-2026 end-of-term report, while incoming Director Dr. Marquez shared her strategic direction for the Institute over the next three years.
Outgoing Director Dr. Elma P. Laguna presented her accomplishments and updates during the ceremony.
Dr. Laguna opened her presentation by sharing her accomplishments during her term, including the renovation of the Director’s office and upgrading of equipment for the use of faculty and researchers, such as interactive smartboards, desktops, and laptops. She also reported on curricular revision, benchmarking, and Quality Assurance activities during her term. While in office, she also led the formulation of the Institute’s 5-to-10-year succession plan, strengthened UPPI's social media presence, and sustained partnerships and linkages with local and foreign universities, government agencies, and international organizations.
Following Dr. Laguna’s report, Dr. Marquez laid out her three-year strategic direction for the Institute anchored on the acronym, TRUST: Transparency, Research & Action-Oriented, Up-to-par, Student-focused, and Togetherness. The framework outlines five areas that Dr. Marquez hopes to strengthen during her term. These include promoting greater transparency in governance and communication; strengthening research, training and extension, and knowledge-sharing activities; further embedding Quality Assurance in the Institute’s systems and practices; placing students at the center of academic and institutional decision; and fostering a stronger sense of community among UPPI faculty, staff, students, and partners.
Ceremonial turnover of the symbolic key (left) and UPPI faculty and staff during the event (right)
The event concluded with a handover of a symbolic key to Dr. Marquez followed by a photo opportunity with UPPI faculty and staff.
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