The Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) and member institutions attended the CEO Meeting of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in Asia Pacific (AJCU-AP) on 27-30 August 2023 in Mirador Jesuit Villa, Baguio City. This meeting held significance as it marks the first face-to-face gathering since 2018, and it provided an excellent opportunity to revitalize a post-pandemic AJCU-AP. Representing the CEO meeting on behalf of ADDU were Mr. Jeremy S. Eliab, Executive Vice President, and Mr. Romulo Vinci R. Bueza, Director of the Ateneo Internationalization for Mindanao (AIM) Office.
The CEO meeting consisted of a range of discussions and updates, including the presentation of proposals. Key highlights featured the presentation of the Proposal of Ignatian Leadership in Higher Education Training by Fr. Johnny Go, SJ, and Dr. Assunta Cuyegkeng from Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU). Some updates included the Consortium of Jesuit Colleges of Education, presented by Fr. Go, the report of the 12th AJCU-AP Service Learning Program hosted by the Xavier Learning Community (now Saengtham College Xavier Campus) Thailand, with Fr. Thomas Michel, SJ, and the upcoming Global Leadership Program with Fu-Jen Catholic University, Taiwan.
Fr. Tony Moreno, SJ, President of the Jesuit Conference Asia Pacific (JCAP), provided a comprehensive overview of the broader Jesuit mission in the Asia Pacific region. Dr. Yoshiaki Terumichi from Sophia University, Japan, shared insights from the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU) Board Meeting held in Rome last 02-04 March 2023. The meeting also delved into various proposals, including Collaborative Online International Learning, discussed by Mr. Romulo Vinci R. Bueza of ADDU, a partnership with The Beijing Center (TBC), and the exploration of a Leadership and Friendship Retreat led by Dr. Simon Koo.
On the third day of the meeting, attendees engaged in a lecture on “Becoming a Laudato Si’ University,” delivered by Dr. Kendra Gonzales and Ms. Abby Favis of ADMU. Additionally, the concept of “Universities as Safe Spaces” was explored, emphasizing inclusivity and safety in educational environments, with insights from Dr. Melissa Lao, Dr. Mira Ofreneo, and Atty. Alma Pavia of ADMU.
The meeting also addressed critical societal issues through the IAJU Peace and Reconciliation Task Force with Dr. Simon Koo of TBC and the IAJU Democracy and Human Rights Task Force with Dr. Randy Tuaño of ADMU. The AJCU-AP CEO Meeting concluded with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist.