Ateneo de Davao University, through its Ateneo Internationalization for Mindanao (AIM) Office, participated in the United Nations Day 2024 celebration held at the University of Mindanao (UM) – Matina Campus, Davao City, on 24 October 2024. The event carried the theme “Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in Education through UN SDGs.” Ateneo de Davao was represented by Ms. Thanaporn Insawang (3rd Year, Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling), accompanied by Ms. Rikka Paula E. Comaingking, Program Officer for International Students.
The event began with a short parade leading to the venue, followed by the preliminaries and welcome remarks delivered by Dr. Pedrito Castillo II, Vice President for the Institute of Pedagogical Advancement and Competitiveness of UM. In his speech, Dr. Castillo emphasized the value of cultural diversity and the importance of becoming champions of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The program then acknowledged the participating schools, after which exchange students from Universitas Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya, Indonesia, shared their experiences comparing their time at the University of Mindanao with their academic life back home in Indonesia.
Next, Mr. Pyae Sone Chan Thar Aung, an international student from the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC), showcased the rich culture of Myanmar. Ms. Thanaporn Insawang, Ateneo de Davao’s representative, followed with a presentation on Thai culture and shared how she has adapted to life in Davao City. The UM Chorale performed an intermission number, after which Mr. Dafegoma Omoefe Michel, a Nigerian student at the UM, presented insights into Nigerian culture. An icebreaker activity, led by exchange students from the Islamic University of Muhammad Arsyad Al Banjari Kalimantan, provided a lively transition to the next part of the program.
This was followed by a cultural presentation by inbound students from the UM, during which exchange students from Universitas Muhammadiyah Palembang, Indonesia, compared cultural differences between the Philippines and Indonesia. The event concluded with closing remarks by Ms. Izza Aima Montederamos, Linkage Officer of UM’s External Relations and International Affairs Office, and a final performance by the UM Chorale.
The celebration provided a platform for intercultural exchange among international students from various Davao Colleges and Universities Network (DACUN) schools, fostering greater understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity.
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