UP Diliman (UPD) extends its condolences to the family of Porfirio P. Jesuitas who passed away on March 30.
Known affectionately as “Sir PJ,” Jesuitas served as director of the UPD National Institute of Science and Mathematics Education Development (NISMED) from 4 June 1986 to 30 April 1993.
According to a post at the NISMED Facebook page, Sir PJ was pivotal in the institute’s history and played a crucial role in the establishment and development of the Science Teaching Center [STC], the precursor to NISMED. “His leadership and unwavering dedication to science education were recognized through numerous events and publications that continue to highlight his lasting contributions to the field.”
The STC was established as an attached agency of the UP College of Education in November 1964, with support from the National Science Development Board. Sir PJ was seconded as chairman of the General Science / Elementary Science Work Group. It was renamed into Science Education Center in 1967 and became an UP’s independent unit in 1984 and was renamed anew as NISMED.
As NISMED director, Sir PJ represented the country as a member of the Government Board of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for Science and Mathematics. After his retirement in 1996, he served as president of the Foundation for the Promotion of Science and Mathematics Education and Research from 2006 to 2024.
He was also a faculty member of the UP High School (1954-1964). Jesuitas earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from UP (1954) and his master’s degree in education from Indiana University, USA (1959).