| Emerlinda Roman | |
| Order: | 19th |
| Office: | President of the University of the Philippines |
| Term Start: | February 9, 2005 |
| Term End: | February 10, 2011 |
| Predecessor: | Francisco Nemenzo Jr. |
| President: | Gloria Macapagal Arroyo |
| Order2: | 7th Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Diliman |
| Term Start2: | 1999 |
| Term End2: | 2005 |
| Predecessor2: | Claro C. Llaguno |
| Successor2: | Sergio S. Cao |
| President2: | Francisco Nemenzo, Jr. (UP President) |
| Office3: | 4th Chancellor of the University of the Philippines Diliman |
| Term Start3: | 1991 |
| Term End3: | 1993 |
| Predecessor3: | José Abueva |
| Successor3: | Roger Posadas |
| President3: | José Abueva (UP President) |
| Birth Date: | August 30, 1949 |
| Alma Mater: | University of the Philippines Los Baños (B.S., 1972) University of the Philippines Diliman (MBA, 1977; DBA, 1989) |
| Profession: | Educator |
Emerlinda Ramos - Roman (born August 30, 1949)[1] is a Filipino educator and university administrator who served as the 19th President of the University of the Philippines from 2005 to 2011, becoming the first woman to hold such position.[2] Roman presently sits as the chairperson of the board of trustees of the International Rice Research Institute and is Professor Emerita at the Cesar E.A. Virata School of Business of the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Roman took her secondary education (highschool) at the University of the Philippines Rural High School at Los Baños, Laguna. Roman took her B.S. degree in agriculture at the University of the Philippines Los Baños in 1972. She earned her master's degree in agribusiness management in 1977 and her Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree in 1989 from the College of Business Administration of the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Apart from being a chancellor of UP Diliman from 1991 to 1993, and then from 1999 to 2005, she also held various posts in the administration of the Diliman campus, including as the university secretary, vice-chancellor for administration, then vice-president for administration and a member of the UP Board of Regents.[3]
On November 17, 2004, the 12-member Board of Regents declared a 6–6 tie between Roman and her closest rival, Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Edgardo B. Espiritu. Among candidates for the presidency includes the English and Comparative Literature chairperson Dr. Consolacion R. Alaras, well-known lawyer[4] Soledad C. de Castro, former Mass Communication dean Dr. Georgina R. Encanto, former University of the East chancellor Dr. Ernesto S. de Castro, former Food Technology director Dr. Eduardo C. Sison, chemistry professor Dr. Ester A. Garcia, businessman and professor Dr. Federico M. Macaranas, political and economic analyst and commentator Prof. Solita C. Monsod, and retired Justice Abraham F. Sarmiento. In order to break the tie between Roman and Espiritu, another Board of Regents meeting was set on November 22, where she was elected over 7-5-vote unanimous decision.[5]
On February 9, 2005, she assumed the position as the president when her successor Francisco Nemenzo retired after 45 years of service to the university.[5]
Roman's presidency is known for the implementation of the 300% tuition fee increase—from the basic rate of P300 to P1000 per unit beginning 2007. The move was met with widespread protest within the university community. However, the Board of Regents (BOR) ratified the increase after moving the location of the BOR meeting from Quezon Hall to the UP College of Law without notification.
Her administration's policies included leasing out of university properties such as the U.P.–Ayala Land TechnoHub along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.
Roman has written and/or co-edited the following publications:[6]