Malacañan Palace
17 April 2012

The Bicol University conferred a degree in Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa (posthumous) to former President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino in recognition of her outstanding qualities as a stateswoman and a public servant. President Benigno S. Aquino III received the academic robe, hood, cap, diploma and the plaque of commendation in behalf of her mother.

Former President Cory Aquino was awarded for her contribution to poverty alleviation in the country through her microfinance program that provides more opportunities to finance livelihood and skills training especially for women.

The Bicol University pioneered the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Microfinance for the school year 2009-2010 which is now being adopted in different universities. The program aims to develop manpower support to the microfinance sector and is a model curriculum developed through public and private partnership with the PinoyMe Foundation, the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, the Microfinance Council of the Philippines and the Hanns Seidel Foundation.

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