The Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) participated in the UNISERVITATE Asia and Oceania Course on Service-Learning Institutionalization. Leading the university delegation were Dr. Apple Grace Bonhoc-Ybañez, University Service-Learning (S-L) Hub Coordinator, and Dr. Jopriz M. Bueno, S-L Hub Program Officer of the Arrupe Office of Social Formation (AOSF).
On 10 June 2025, Dr. Ybañez presented the University’s Service-Learning Institutionalization Plan as their capstone project, a strategic roadmap aimed at making service-learning a core component of ADDU’s academic and formation programs. Supporting the delegation were Ms. Melissa L. Barbon, S-L Program Officer, and Mx. Gabriel Emmanuel Undag, S-L Program Officer for Internationalization.
The presentation received robust endorsement from the university officials. University President Fr. Karel San Juan, SJ, Vice President for Higher Education Fr. Antonio Basilio, SJ, and AOSF Director Ms. Shela Mae Jaso were all in attendance, signaling full administrative support for the continued expansion and sustainability of service-learning initiatives across the institution.
Regional Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange
The UNISERVITATE course brought together 47 educators from Asia and Oceania, including 29 from the Philippines, eight from India, five from Indonesia, three from Macau, and two from Nepal. Participants engaged in sharing institutional strategies, exploring theoretical frameworks, and examining best practices to ensure service-learning programs remain impactful and sustainable.
More than technical training, the course encouraged educators to reflect on the broader purpose of education, shaping both minds and hearts while promoting communities of care. Expert facilitators from across the region, including Dr. Andrew Furco, shared diverse perspectives and real-world case studies, and peer-to-peer exchanges allowed participants to contextualize these insights to their own institutions.
Strategic Alignment with Fortiores 2030
For ADDU, participation in the course aligns closely with its Fortiores 2030 Strategic Plan, which positions service-learning at the heart of Teaching, Research, and Community Engagement (TRC). The initiative supports the university’s commitment to cultivate Discerning and Adaptive Leaders (DAL) among students and faculty leaders who regard service not as an extracurricular activity but as a defining part of academic life.
The course also addressed practical considerations, including building strong partnerships with community organizations, securing institutional and faculty support, overcoming challenges, and implementing rigorous assessment methods to measure benefits for students and partner communities.
Deepening Roots
By completing the program and refining its institutionalization plan, ADDU moves closer to embedding service-learning more deeply into its curriculum, culture, and social engagement framework. With strengthened regional ties and reinforced internal support, the university continues to champion education that serves both knowledge and humanity.
Article and Photos by Dr. Apple Grace Bonhoc-Ybañez, Arrupe Office of Social Formation
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