ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maria Pilar Lorenzo, MIP, MCADES, MPA, LPT

Brief Bio

Maria Pilar Lorenzo is a Ph.D. candidate at Ghent University’s Centre for Higher Education Governance Ghent. She holds an MSc degree in International Politics and an Advanced MSc degree in Cultures and Development Studies from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines. As a researcher, she is fascinated with examining issues relating to higher education, regionalization and governance. She is also a licensed professional teacher and a certified trainer.

Extended Bio

Maria Pilar Lorenzo joined Ghent University’s Centre for Higher Education Governance Ghent as a Ph.D. candidate in November 2020 and recently completed Master of Science in International Politics (magna cum laude) and Advanced Master of Science in Cultures and Development Studies (cum laude) as a VLIR-UOS scholar at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven and Master of Public Administration (summa cum laude ranking, top of the cohort) at the University of the Philippines. She completed her bachelor’s degree and high school both cum laude and was considered as a Scholar of the Nation at the University of the Philippines Integrated School/University of the Philippines Diliman Campus from kindergarten until graduate school.

As a researcher, she is fascinated with examining issues relating to higher education, regionalization and governance. Her current (doctoral) research project seeks to examine higher education regional mechanisms in Southeast Asia. Recently, she formed part of a research team that provided strategic advice to the Philippine Education and Local Government sectors concerning the National Rightsizing Program. Her research works have been published by Globalisation, Societies and Education, Springer, Palgrave Macmillan, Graz University Press, World Scientific, UN Office at Geneva, among others. In addition, her think pieces have appeared in outlets like Channel NewsAsia, East Asia Forum, Eastern Focus Quarterly, Modern Diplomacy, Development Policy Centre, Conflict, Peace and Democracy Policy Blog, Shabka, Bookbed, among others.

She has received honors and awards including the STAR Scholars Network’s 2020 A. Noam Chomsky Global Connections Award (Rising Star, Emerging Scholar – Graduate Student category) and YSEALI Women’s Leadership Academy Alumni Network’s 2020 Women Leaders in Southeast Asia (Education & Government categories). She was also a finalist in the 2021 Women of the Future Awards – Southeast Asia (Professions category). Her profile and works/awards have been featured in media outlets such as PhilStar, ABS-CBN, Good News Pilipinas, SBS Australia, Channel NewsAsia, Adobo Magazine, The Red Circle, Agenparl, The Post, The Iskandarian, and in other platforms like Phi Kappa Phi, Women in Foreign Policy, Pinoy Scientists, and University of the Philippines. Prior to pursuing graduate studies, she was a development professional and an educator whose work experience focused on managing and teaching in technical-vocational schools. She is a licensed professional teacher and a certified trainer.

ABOUT THIS SITE

This is a collection of Maria’s recent writings and engagements. The entries provide information about the author’s publications, programs, presentations, press involvement, among others.

The author extends her sincere thanks to all the visitors of this site.

PAGE DETAILS

Profile photo by Carlos and logo by Marie

Cover photo by Olia Gozha from Unsplash