UP Manila names 10th Chancellor

The University of the Philippines Manila has named its 10th Chancellor.

Prof. Michael L. Tee, Internal Medicine-Rheumatology specialist, University Scientist I, and UP Manila Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development, was appointed during a special meeting of the UP Board of Regents on 5 October.

Tee earned his BS Biology in from UP Diliman in 1993, Doctor of Medicine from UP Manila in 1998, Masters in Health Professions Education from UP Manila in 2007, and Master in Business Administration from UP Diliman in 2015.

Prior to his appointment as VCPD in 2014, Tee served as Assistant to the Philippine General Hospital Director for Public Affairs and PGH Spokesperson from 2004 to 2010; Editor-in-Chief of the UP-Manila Journal for 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014; and, Director of the UP-Manila Information, Publication, and Public Affairs Office in 2011 and from November 2014 to 2015.

As an administrator for nine years, Tee supervised the planning and implementation of the UP-Manila Campus Development Plan, including the construction of new buildings such as the Sports and Wellness Center, SHS Koronadal Gymnasium, UP Manila Student Center, UP Manila Dorm, SHS Baler Administration Building, SHS Palo Administration Building, Henry Sy Sr Hall (CM Medical Sciences Building), and major renovations in all colleges. His office steered UP-Manila's journey to ISO 9001:2015 certification.

As an educator, Tee teaches physiology and rheumatology at the Department of Physiology and the Department of Medicine, respectively. He also led the collaborative project among the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), University of Illinois, and UP Manila that validated the use of saliva to diagnose Covid-19.

Tee envisions UP-Manila as a university globally recognized for excellence in the fields of health, the humanities, and the social and natural sciences responsive to the needs of the country.

"We aim to serve the public through scholarly and technical collaboration with the government, private sector, and civil society while leaving the indelible mark of UP's brand of honor and excellence. Our alumni will be ready to become citizens of the world, sensitive to cultural differences and proactive in responding to the needs of the people, particularly of the Filipinos," he said.