Ex-Ateneo president is National Scientist

President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday conferred the National Scientist award on Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, former president of the Catholic Ateneo de Manila University.

President Aquino conferred the award on 71-year-old Nebres, a Jesuit priest, for being “an educator, mathematician, mentor and administrator” and for his advocacy of educational reform and improvement of the country’s “competitiveness in the natural sciences and mathematics.”

“The rank and title of National Scientist is the highest honor that can be achieved by a scientist in the Philippines; the highest tribute our country can pay to those who have blazed the trail in fields that are vital to our national development,” Mr. Aquino said in a speech at the awarding rites.

Mr. Aquino cited Nebres for the establishment of the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED), an institution dedicated to improving education in the public schools.

ACED is  helping local governments and over 400 public schools in Quezon City, Parañaque, Valenzuela, Nueva Ecija, La Union and other parts of the country, the President said.

Nebres also serves as chairman of Synergeia Foundation, which has education projects in over 200 municipalities, with special concern for municipalities in ARMM. Christine O. Avendaño