THE NEWLY APPOINTED secretary general has vowed to maintain an effective communication system with University offices and become more visible to students.
In an interview, Fr. Jesus Miranda Jr., O.P. lauded his predecessor, Fr. Winston Cabading, O.P. and other past secretaries general for establishing an effective method of disseminating information to University offices.
“We have to be thankful to Fr. Winston Cabading, O.P. and even the previous secretaries general for they have made the systems and the processes very easy,” Miranda told the Varsitarian.
“That’s why those who will become secretary general in the near future, they will find the job less cumbersome because the predecessors made their job in making the process very efficient,” he added.
Miranda’s appointment by Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. took effect at the start of 2017. His term will last for two and a half years.
Social media and smartphones have made communication processes more systematized, Miranda noted.
“There are some little things I have in mind … I would ask people on how to improve more the services for the whole university and the whole student body of UST,” he said.
‘Be ready for the work’
Miranda admitted he was at first hesitant to accept the Rector’s appointment, because his predecessors were more “tech-savvy.”
“The Rector simply assured me that you don’t have to be [tech-savvy]. All you have to do is [perform] the functions of the secretary general and there are many of them,” he said.
He said his membership in the Dominican Order motivates him to face whatever responsibility comes.
“After all, you gave yourself to the order. You’re here to help in the ministry. When the superior asked you to do this, you have to do it because that is your contribution to your academic apostolate,” he said.
Talk to students
Miranda said he aims to change the notion that the role of a secretary general is just to announce class suspensions.
“When they ask something, raise a query or ask a favor or what, look into it because I know we are here for that. I’m doing many things but we should have time for [the students]. We should have [a talk between] the students and heads of organizations,” he said.
Aside from being the secretary general, Miranda is also an editor for Philippiniana Sacra, the official scholarly journal of the Ecclesiastical Faculties.
Prior to his appointment, Miranda served as regent of the College of Education and Education High School from 2013 to 2016.
He obtained his bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 1995 at Philippine Dominican Center of Institutional Studies, and his bachelor in sacred theology with Latin honors in 1998 at the UST Ecclesiastical Faculties. He earned his licentiate in 2000.
In the same year, Miranda obtained his master’s degree in theology at UST Graduate School, graduating summa cum laude.
He received his doctorate in educational leadership and management from De La Salle University in 2009 with high distinction.
