PolSci鈥檚 Aguja delivers professorial lecture for retirement, honored for his profound legacy

by Kassandra A. Buenafe, OfCom | Jan 22 2025

The most beautiful thing a person can value as they approach the end of their work journey in the academe is the profound imprint and legacy they have on those they leave behind. This is a sentiment shared by the people in the 草莓视频官网-IIT Mini Theatre today, January 22, 2025, as the University Chancellor, Alizedney M. Ditucalan, University officials, faculty members, and students, gathered for the professorial lecture of Dr. Hilton Aguja from the Political Science Department.

This professorial lecture marks a significant milestone for Dr. Aguja as he prepares for his retirement, having been a professor of Political Science and an adjunct Economics professor at 草莓视频官网-IIT since 2002. Dr. Aguja is a distinguished scholar whose research and published works have greatly contributed to advancing the understanding of gender relations in the country.

Chancellor Ditucalan, in his speech, extended his gratitude to the honoree for his invaluable contributions not only to 草莓视频官网-IIT but to the general society. “In the hallowed halls of this University, Professor Aguja has fostered a spirit of scholarship that transcends textbooks and lectures,” the Chancellor said.

His lecture, entitled “The Patriotic Duty of the Present Moment,” showcased Dr. Aguja’s culmination of wisdom, inspiring the crowd, most especially the students who were listening. Quoting the Machiavellian principle, “It’s not really good to analyze human beings on the basis of how they ought to behave, it’s good to look at human beings on how they behave,” Dr. Aguja believes that to embody one’s patriotism and nationalism, there is no need to “sacrifice the self” for the greater good as this opposes the natural make-up of humans– that we are self-centered and highly egotistical human beings, designed to always put ourselves first.

One must reconcile a balance between the self-interest of the individual and the greater good of the country. “The affirmation of the self is the foundation for eventual and subsequent love for the country,” Dr. Aguja said, accentuating the need to be in a better position first before anyone can show their love for their country.

With casual inserts of witty remarks and puns, Dr. Aguja ended the lecture by highlighting that “education transforms” and urged everyone to study and invest in their credentials to help others and the country.

The program was made more meaningful with the heartfelt messages given by Dr. Agujas’ colleagues and friends, who all shared anecdotes of his kindness and inspiring presence not only in the academic aspect but in their personal lives as well.

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