Habemus Decanum!
Dean Ma. Joy V. Abrenica is a sterling product of the School’s own doctoral program, which she attended after graduating Magna cum laude from De la Salle University with bachelor’s degrees (BS Economics and BS Commerce, major in accounting) and placing 6th in the CPA exam of 1987.
She is both a well-loved teacher and mentor to many generations of students, and a renowned scholar with diverse areas of expertise including international economics, the economics of technological change, competition policy, and industrial organization.
In recognition of her outstanding scholarship from early on, she was named Outstanding Young Scientist by the National Academy of Science and Technology in 2004.
She has contributed her expertise beyond the academe and made seminal contributions to legislation leading to the Philippine Competition Act of 2015, the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act of 2016, and the drafting of the DTI’s Export Development Plan. She was also designated amicus curiae by the Supreme Court in January 2014 in cases involving electricity prices.
Dean Abrenica has extensive administrative experience within UPSE and within the larger University itself.
For the past six years, she has served as Department Chair, immediately prior to her appointment as Dean. She has also served as Director for Finance and as Director for Graduate Admissions and Fellowships at UPSE.
At UPD, she is a member of the Curriculum Committee, the Committee on Faculty Development, Conduct, and Welfare and is Chair of the Management and Economics Cluster of UPD General Education Committee.
At the System level, she is a member of the evaluation and monitoring committee of the Emerging Interdisciplinary Research Program under the UP Vice President for Academic Affairs.
In her vision statement, Dean Joy identifies four main strategic thrusts for SE: reaffirming SE’s commitment to academic excellence, revitalizing public service, harnessing internal resources, and building trust.
Her character and experience make us confident that she understands the challenges that lie ahead for the College, and that she can inspire us and muster our cooperation to deliver the kind of leadership required of the Dean of the School of Economics in the years ahead.