Author Biography

FR. BIENVENIDO F. NEBRES, SJ served as president of Ateneo de Manila University for 18 years (1993-2011). He was dean of the Ateneo College of Arts and Sciences (1973-1980) during the first years of martial law. He was Provincial Superior of the Jesuits in the Philippines (1983-89) during the time of democratic transition to President Corazon Aquino. He was president of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro (1990-1993). He did extensive work to develop science and mathematics in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia and was elected National Scientist in 2011 by the National Academy of Science and Technology. He was conferred the award by President Benigno Aquino III in September 2011. He continues today as professor of mathematics at the Ateneo de Manila and is engaged in various programs to help overcome poverty and hunger in the country: addressing child hunger and malnutrition with the Ateneo Center for Educational Development and Gawad Kalinga, with particular concern for children and schools in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao; improving public education with the Ateneo Center for Educational Development and Synergeia Foundation; building homes and communities for the poor with Gawad Kalinga; and supporting young people engaged in social enterprises for poor communities. Fr. Nebres did his early studies in classics and philosophy in the Jesuit Scholasticate, Berchmans College, and completed an AB and MA in philosophy. He obtained a PhD in mathematics from Stanford University.