Dr Gina Gonong

An academic from Philippine Normal University (PNU) has been awarded an Honorary Doctor of Letters honoris causa (HonDLitt) by the University of New England.

Dr Gina Gonong, PhD is an Associate Professor at PNU and is the Director of the Philippine National Research Center for Teacher Quality (RCTQ).

Over the last four years, she has led a research team who have planned, developed, validated and implemented the Philippine Professional Standards for Teachers (PPST) which was signed into law in August this year.

This important and significant achievement represents the second major revitalisation of the Philippine education system that commenced in 2012, with the Philippines moving to a nation-wide Grade K-to-12 system by adding Grades K, 11 and 12 to bring its curriculum in line with ASEAN countries and other international jurisdictions.

Dr Gonong’s connection with UNE is very strong. It was UNE’s SiMERR National Research Centre that was successful in winning a large Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Grant to establish RCTQ at Philippine National University in collaboration with the Philippine Government.

The purpose of RCTQ is to conduct national studies to collect, analyse and interpret national data to drive Philippine Government education policy, planning and Implementation, which to date has been very successful. Dr Gonong has fostered strong connections with academic staff at SiMERR and our School of Education.

On behalf of the University Council, I congratulate Dr Gonong on her award and I look forward to presenting it to her in the future.

— Chancellor James Harris