Carillon is published by the
University of the Philippines
Office of Alumni Relations
A Career Shift and Multiple Awards Later:
MULTI-AWARDED ENVIRONMENTALIST
IS UPOU'S FIRST MPM ALUMNI AWARDEE
By Alexis Faith Gonzales & Anna Cañas-Llamas
Who knew that a career shift would ignite a series of international and prestigious awards for Glenn Fernandez? What began as an opportunity to work and study simultaneously has resulted in remarkable accomplishments and significant contributions that have brought about social, economic, and environmental benefits to society.
“People should think about having other pathways other than what they started with in their undergrad days. There will be more opportunities for career growth, even in shifting to another area or another discipline so while working, they can pursue another degree.”
Glenn Fernandez pursued engineering at UP Diliman as an Oblation Scholar and received multiple scholarships from the Department of Science and Technology, UP Engineering Research and Development Foundation, Inc. Soon after, he began working in sales at San Miguel Corporation, where he discovered his passion for the environment. This led him to pursue the Diploma in Environment and Natural Resources Management (DENRM) program at UP Open University. His position required him to travel across countries, and online learning was the best option for him. “Work was stressful, but studying [provided] a respite from the daily tasks at work,” he mentioned during an interview with the UPOU Office of Public Affairs. Needless to say, he aced DENRM, finishing at the top of his class on the Dean’s List with a GWA of 1.19.
DENRM served as the catalyst for him to pursue his passion for environmental and disaster management. It fueled his desire to learn and accomplish more in this field. He went on to obtain a scholarship for a Master’s in Environmental Management and a Ph.D. in Global Environmental Studies at Kyoto University in Japan. Afterward, he pursued a Master of Public Management from UPOU and graduated in 2020.
A lifelong learner at heart, he is currently enrolled in the Professional Teaching Certificate program, which is also offered by UPOU.
His exceptional contributions to environmental management and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) have earned him numerous awards, including the Presidential Pamana ng Pilipino Award in 2021. His research continuously makes critical global contributions, such as his study on global health and the challenges of disaster diplomacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the significant impact of his works in DRRM and their contribution to the implementation of policies in the country, Dr. Fernandez was awarded the UPOU Most Outstanding MPM Alumni Award. His award was presented during the MPM@25 Celebration on February 24, 2023, as part of UPOU’s 28th anniversary celebration.
Glenn Fernandez’s journey is a testament to the importance of pursuing passions and the transformative power of education. UPOU’s flexible online learning environment enabled Fernandez to balance his career and studies. Zealous individuals like him can explore new disciplines, discover opportunities for career advancement, and experience personal growth. Investing in education is significant, especially in fields that can make outstanding contributions to our society.