Ray Martin A. Manuel, UP 茄子视频app Information Office correspondent
Justin Francis Leon V. Nicolas, PhD formally took his oath of office as the 14th dean of the UP 茄子视频app (UPD) College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) in an affirmation rite at the CSWCD Bulwagang Tandang Sora. The ceremony was part of the CSWCD College Week celebration, themed SIBOL: Pagpapayabong ng Nasimulan at ng Bagong Pag-Asa.
Nicolas said his affirmation coincides with his vision for the college鈥攄efined by the pillars of sibol, sikhay, sulong, and sigla. According to him, these values represent a shared direction and institutional commitment rather than mere slogans.
He explained that sibol pertains to strengthening safe and inclusive spaces.
鈥淚t means grounding our curriculum in Philippine realities and indigenous knowledge systems. It means embedding care鈥攑sychosocial support, wellness systems, mentoring structures鈥攊nto the very fabric of our institution,鈥 Nicolas said.
Nicolas pledged to consolidate data systems, governance reforms, alumni engagement, and research collaborations 鈥渟o that our growth is principled and sustainable.鈥
He highlighted the synergy of scholarship and service through sikhay.
鈥淪ikhay鈥攔igorous, disciplined, collective effort calls us to strengthen interdisciplinary research across social work, community development, women and development studies, and social development. It calls us to build theory from practice,鈥 Nicolas said.
He plans to expand participatory and arts-based research; institutionalize interdepartmental research clusters; convene conferences where the faculty and students share findings, struggles, and insights; and open new academic pathways, including a PhD in social work and a Diploma in Social Service.
For Nicolas, sulong is 鈥渁dvancement oriented toward justice and sustainability.鈥
鈥淲e envision a Creative Futures Hub鈥攚here innovation meets advocacy, where leadership training intersects with artistic practice and social imagination. We will strengthen community hubs for learning and action recognizing extension as co-equal with teaching and research,鈥 Nicolas said.
In addition, he said the college under his watch will embed ecological responsibility into governance, infrastructure, and curriculum for CSWCD鈥檚 central concerns include climate justice, gender equity, social solidarity economy, and collective healing.
Meanwhile, Nicolas described sigla as 鈥渢he energy of participation; the joy of collective work.鈥
He addressed the need to revitalize faculty and staff wellness while supporting student leadership.
Nicolas said his administration will remain steadfast in its vision and will be guided by the college鈥檚 threefold pillars: community care, radical love, and creativity.
Present at the Nicolas鈥 affirmation ceremony were his family, college and university officials that included UPD Chancellor Carlo L. Vistan II, CSWCD constituents, former deans, partners, alumni, and the members of the Professional Regulation Commission, the Professional Regulatory Board of Social Work, the UP Social Action and Research for Development Foundation, Inc., and Ka Pando Hicap of PAMALAKAYA-Pilipinas.
The event also honored the college鈥檚 13th dean, Lenore P. dela Cruz, with the hanging of her portrait in the Hall of Deans at the CSWCD Lobby.
The ceremony last Feb. 20 concluded with members of the College Executive Board, the CSWCD Student Council, the UP Junior Social Work Association of the Philippines, and the Community Development Circle taking their oath of commitment.鈥With reports from Maritess Raposas and Ana Teresa L. Prondosa, CSWCD
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