UST to confer honorary title on Polish leader

MANILA, Philippines - The University of Santo Tomas (UST) will confer on former President Lech Walesa of Poland the title of Honorary Professor when he visits the pontifical and royal university today.

Walesa, 69, is credited for organizing trade unionism in Poland. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983.

UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy will confer the title on Walesa while UST secretary-general Fr. Winston F. Cabading will read the citation.

After the conferment rites, Walesa is expected to deliver a lecture on “The Role of Faith in the Struggle for Democracy and Development” at the UST Medicine Auditorium.

Walesa became the leader of the nationwide Solidarnosc (Solidarity) movement that was credited for the collapse of the communist regime in Poland. He is also a staunch advocate of non-violent human rights activism against a communist regime.

He served as president of Poland from 1990 to 1995, leading his country’s transformation from a communist to a democratic republic. He has regarded the Catholic faith as a source of strength and inspiration.

The former Polish leader has been granted honorary degrees from notable universities, including Harvard, University of Paris, the Catholic University of Louvain among others.