Leonel Fernández Presents Lecture on Political Science at Catholic University of Santo Domingo

Fernández said political know-how in the Dominican Republic, up to now, was gained by engaging in related activities but that this situation is changing with the emergence of academic programs focusing on political science.

Former President of the Republic and current president of Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (Funglode), Dr. Leonel Fernández, welcomed the fact that many Dominicans are studying various aspects of Political
Science.

Dr. Fernández made this remark at the Catholic University of Santo Domingo (UCSD), in a lecture marking the official launch of the Political Science Degree Program being offered by the University, effective immediately.

After congratulating UCSD for this initiative, Fernández gave some background on the origin and development of Political Science, in which he stressed the role of
the media in everything having to do with politics.

In his lecture, “The Future of Political Science,” Fernández said the future of political science lies in a multidisciplinary approach. He stressed that late President, Professor Juan Bosch, always relied on history to analyze political science.

UCSD Rector, Reverend Jesús Castro Marte, gave the welcoming speech in which he noted that Fernández has a historical relationship with
this academic institution. Reverend Castro Marte recalled that President Fernández, during his first four-year term in office, built the university’s modern library, which opened on August 15, 2000, the day before Fernández left office after his first presidential term.

Reverend Castro Marte defined Dr. Fernández as a great professor who has devoted much of his life to teaching, through which he has made a significant contribution to the country.

The Reverend said the University is honored that President Fernández is giving the first lecture of the Political Science Degree Program.

In addition to Dr. Fernández and Reverend Castro Marte, the table of honor included Ramón García Tatis, Deputy Rector of Administration and Development; Dr. Zeneyda de Jesús, Academic Deputy Rector; Francisco Cruz Pascual, Deputy Rector of post grad and research; Dr. Manuel Ramón Peña Conce, Deputy Rector of Student Services
and Professor; and Román Jáquez, Dean of the Law and Political Science Department.

Following the conference, UCSD authorities presented former President Fernández with a resolution from the University Council that declared him “Associate and Visiting Professor” of the University.