(JUL. 9) — Professor of Mathematics since 2000, Polly W. Sy, PhD is now Professor Emeritus in Mathematics at the Institute of Mathematics of the UP Diliman (UPD) College of Science (CS).

Sy mentored many known UP faculty members including former UPD Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Lorna I. Paredes, former UP Assistant Vice President for Development Jaime D.L. Caro, CS Associate Dean for Facilities and Resource Management Marian P. Roque and former UPD Chancellor now Manila Tytana Colleges President and Chief Academic Officer Sergio S. Cao.

Author to several publications, Sy has more than 30 papers in refereed journals, books and in a university bulletin, more than 30 papers presented in international conferences and universities, 15 papers published in international refereed proceedings, including a commissioned work for the Commission Developing Countries, International Mathematical Union, with Lee Peng-Yee entitled “Mathematics in Southeast Asia: Challenges and Opportunities.” She has also edited and co-edited international proceedings and journals.

Sy is recipient of numerous honors and awards among them the 1996 National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) Achievement Award, 1992 National Academy of Science and Technology of the Philippines (NAST)-Third World Academy of Science (TWAS) Science Prize (in Mathematics), the 1992 UP Diliman Gawad Chanselor Pinakamahusay na Mananaliksik and the 1988 NAST Outstanding Young Scientist Award.

The former president of the Southeast Asia Mathematical Society (1998-1999) and two-time chair of the UPD Department of Mathematics (1994-1996; 1999-2002) is a member of various professional and scientific organizations like the International Mathematical Union-Commission for Developing Countries, Southeast Asian Mathematical Society (member since 1976), Mathematical Society of the Philippines (member since 1975), Mathematical Society of Republic of China (ROC/Taiwan) (since 1994), Third World Organization for Women in Science (member since 1992), East Asian Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (member since 1998), The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, UP Chapter (member since 1993), NRCP (since 1989) and International Society for Analysis, Applications and Computations (member since 1993).

Sy earned her BS Mathematics (1974), MS Mathematics (1977) and PhD Mathematical Sciences (1982) all at UPD, and her Doctor of Science (Mathematics) from Nagoya University in 1992.—Mariamme D. Jadloc