The Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) and the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF) / Fulbright Commission in the Philippines formalized their academic and cultural partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on 26 September 2025. The signing ceremony marked an important step in the university’s continuing efforts to expand its international networks and academic collaborations.
Representing ADDU were Fr. Antonio Basilio, SJ, Vice President for Higher Education; Mr. Romulo Vinci Bueza, Executive Assistant to the President and Director of the Ateneo Internationalization for Mindanao Office; along with university deans, faculty, and staff. Representing PAEF were Ms. Jessica Simon, Chairperson of Fulbright Philippines and Counselor for Public Affairs – U.S. Embassy in Manila; Mr. Julio Amador III, Executive Director of Fulbright Philippines; and Mr. Chad Kinnear, Director of Public Engagement – U.S. Embassy in Manila.
The MOU establishes a framework for academic and cultural cooperation between ADDU and PAEF, a bi-national commission that administers the prestigious Fulbright Program. A central feature of this collaboration is ADDU’s inclusion in the Consortium for Study Abroad in the Philippines (CSAP). Through CSAP, U.S. students are given the opportunity to study in Philippine universities such as ADDU, where they can experience Philippine society, culture, and academic life. At the same time, the program provides avenues for Filipino students to engage with American students and participate in reciprocal exchanges, promoting mutual understanding between the Philippines and the United States.
Beyond CSAP, the partnership opens opportunities for faculty and student exchanges, joint research, participation in academic seminars, and institutional training programs. These initiatives are designed to broaden academic collaboration and provide both U.S. and Filipino students with meaningful international experiences that extend beyond their home institutions.
This collaboration enhances ADDU’s internationalization agenda by positioning the university as a host and partner in global education. It also reflects Fulbright Philippines’ mission of creating opportunities that strengthen educational and cultural linkages between the two countries.
The signing ceremony underscores a shared recognition of the role of academic partnerships in building pathways for international mobility and cultural exchange. For ADDU, the partnership with Fulbright Philippines adds a significant dimension to its global engagements, while affirming its role in making Mindanao a site for cross-cultural dialogue and learning.
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