Arrupe Office for Social Formation
PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
As the social formation arm of Ateneo de Davao University, the AOSF offers the following programs and services:
A. Arrupe Social Formation (ASF) Program
Figure 2. Empowering first-year students to navigate university life, the Arrupe Social Formation Program fosters personal growth, commitment, and resilience, guided by the values of St. Ignatius.
About the Program
The Arrupe Social Formation (ASF) Program has developed over the years since its inception. It began as the Behavioral Development program in 1975, transformed into Freshmen Christian Formation in 1979, evolved into First Year Christian Formation in 1998, and finally became the First-Year Development Program in 2008.
The ASF Program, designed for first-year students, serves as an introduction to the Ateneo de Davao University’s environment, life, culture, and traditions. This program guides students through a formative process, helping them develop their individual personalities based on their
unique strengths and qualities. It instills in them a sense of commitment, the importance of making choices and taking responsibility for them, and a deep appreciation for a life of faith that motivates meaningful contributions to society. The primary goal is to challenge first-year students to build the determination to overcome the challenges of university life, harness their talents, and pursue their dreams and aspirations. This program assists first-year students in navigating the transition to the demands of university life, drawing inspiration from the journey and values of St. Ignatius.
As a program dedicated to building students’ confidence and resilience as they start their Ateneo journey, ASF offers two courses, each carrying a credit of two units: ASF 0 (ASF 1000 – Bridging Program for non-AdDU Senior High School Completers) and ASF 1 (Social Formation for AdDU SHS graduates and ASF 1000 completers).
B. National Service Training Program (NSTP)
Figure 3. Students engage in community-based projects to improve the general welfare and embody the university’s ideals of being “men and women for others”.
About the Program
After the ratification of Republic Act 9163, also known as The National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act of 2001 on March 23, 2002, Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) initiated the program during the first semester of the academic year 2002-2003. Initially offering only the Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), the program aimed to engage students in activities focused on health, education, environment, entrepreneurship, safety, recreation, and moral values, aligning with the university’s commitment to molding students as “men and women for others.”
Undergoing a major university restructuring in 2012, the program evolved to deepen community engagement, becoming part of the Social Involvement and Coordinating Office (SICO) led by Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ. SICO further transformed into the Arrupe Office of Social Formation (AOSF), the primary driver of social formation programs within the higher education unit. NSTP-CWTS transitioned into one of the “en masse” social formation programs offered to all incoming first-year college students by AOSF. The program annually serves around 1,500 students, guided by 30-35 NSTP Formators and 80-90 NSTP Volunteers, implementing diverse community-based projects in nearly 100 partner communities in Davao City.
This manual aims to guide NSTP Administration, ensuring adherence to university policies and the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 9163 given the program’s extensive operations.
NATIONAL SERVICE RESERVE CORPS
About the Program
The National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC) is an organization of National Service Training Program (NSTP) graduates as stipulated in Republic Act No. 9163, otherwise known as the National Service Training Program Act of 2001. As further stated in its Revised Implementing Guidelines and Procedures (IGP) and mandated by the Commission of Higher Education (CHED), all NSTP graduates shall belong to the NSRC and may be tapped by the State for any civic welfare engagements.
As a school-based NSRC Unit organic to the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), the organization shall be known as the Blue Knights Ready Reserve Unit. Furthermore, as stated in Rule I. Guiding Principle of its IGP, it recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building, thus mandating the State through the NSRC to promote civic consciousness among the NSTP graduates and develop their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social being. This holistic approach deems it necessary to put this program under the formation umbrella of the university, which shall be supervised and managed by the Arrupe Office of Social Formation (AOSF) as a separate program pursuant to relevant laws. Moreover, the organization is anchored to the principle of the university’s leadership principle Ateneo de Davao University Sui Generis leaders. The organization further instills the spirit of volunteerism and strengthens this through social formation activities, training, social conscientization, and community engagements.
C. Service-Learning Program (S-LP)
Figure 4. Developing AdDU’s sui generis leaders for Mindanao, the Service-Learning Program integrates classroom learning with community needs, encouraging solidarity for the poor, and achieving professional competence through designed interventions.
About the Program
The S-LP proceeds in a manner that is framed in the Ignatian Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP) because it teaches the students that interiority transforms and moves a learner.
The whole process starts with the presentation of S-LP programs to different Schools (e.g., School of Arts and Sciences, School of Business and Governance, School of Nursing, School of Engineering and Architecture, and School of Education), and academic partners. Planning session follows afterwards. From the planning session, the S-LP staff meets with the Community Engagement (CE) team of the Arrupe Office of Social Formation (AOSF) with emphasis on the technical skills and knowledge that the Academic Program can introduce to the identified community. The CE team proceeds with the community social preparation. Alongside this process is the accomplishment of the different service-learning designs. The academic partner/instructor and the S-LP staff will be given time to visit the identified community. This process of setting the context ends with the classroom orientation by the S-LP staff/faculty with the students.
D. Senior’s Integration Program (SIP)
Figure 5. Synthesizing academic, social, and spiritual formation, the Seniors’ Integration Program empowers the graduating students to embark on their mission-driven journey and ignite the world with commitment to the common good.
About the Program
The university views its graduates as Ateneo de Davao Sui Generis Leaders, a term coined by former university president Fr. Joel E. Tabora. Since 2012, the core principles of A.F.I.R.E. (Administration, Formation, Instruction, Research, and Engagement) have revolved around the formation of these leaders, committed to the common good, especially in Mindanao. The Senior’s Integration Program, originating from a 2017 exit interview and now officially under the Arrupe Office of Social Formation from October 2020, is a testament to AdDU’s commitment to the holistic development of graduates. This two-unit course, part of the broader social formation framework, allows graduating students to synthesize their academic, social, and spiritual formation, preparing them for their commissioning as Ateneo de Davao University Sui Generis Leaders.
The Senior’s Integration Program has become a cornerstone initiative, officially entrusted to the Arrupe Office of Social Formation. This program encapsulates the university’s dedication to
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molding socially responsible leaders, completing the comprehensive social formation framework for students from freshmen to seniors. Under the Arrupe Office, this initiative empowers graduating students to integrate their academic, social, and spiritual experiences, equipping them for their forthcoming role as Ateneo de Davao University Sui Generis Leaders in society.
E. Volunteers and Leaders Organizing (VOLO)
Figure 6. Students are empowered to become co-formators and leaders who embody the magis spirit, champion social change and justice through rigorous training and community service.
About the Program
The Arrupe Office of Social Formation (AOSF), formerly the Social Involvement and Coordinating Office (SICO), is a cornerstone institution mandated to shape men and women for others within the university. The social formation of graduates, our significant contribution to societal development, is anchored in comprehensive curricular programs like the First-Year Development Program, National Service Training Program, Service-Learning Program, and the Senior’s Integration Program.
While these curricular initiatives exist, recognizing the need for an extracurricular dimension, the Student Servant Leadership Program (SSLP), now VOLO: Volunteers and Leaders Organizing and Formation Program, operates on a multiplier model. Focused on developing student leaders and a core group of volunteers, they collaborate in social formation for the general student population and the community. These volunteers undergo rigorous selection and intensive training to guide peers, foster change through community projects, and design social formation tracks for various student groups, including SAMAHAN Central Board members, PULSO socio-civic clubs, scholars, and international students.
The Arrupe Volunteers, integral to this initiative, undergo application and immersion through ASEP (Ateneo Student Exposure Program). Following this, they attend the Basic Orientation Seminar to comprehend their roles as co-formators and agents of social change. Typically composed of second-year students, Arrupe Volunteers dedicate the remainder of their college years to serving students and community partners of the Arrupe Office of Social Formation. SAMAHAN and PULSO, constituting the student government and campus clubs organization, involve elected members annually through SAMAHAN elections conducted by COMELEC.
F. Cardoner Volunteer Program (CVP)
Figure 7. Transformative experiences through interreligious and intercultural dialogue for a year-long service, the Cardoner Volunteer Program strengthens the social spirituality and implements social justice for and with marginalized and vulnerable sectors.
About the Program
As the Arrupe Office of Social Formation (AOSF) extends its mandate to serve a broader community, it prioritizes formative opportunities for alumni, aligning with the AdDU Strategic Plan of 2015-2020, Mindanao Conversation Action Points, and the Society of Jesus Province Road Map. Under the leadership of Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, Ateneo de Davao University has evolved into a dynamic and responsive institution, addressing both internal and external needs, with influence reaching from the local community to Mindanao and the Asia Pacific. As part of realizing the university’s vision and mission, the Cardoner Volunteer Program was proposed and launched in 2016.
The Cardoner Volunteer Program offers a year-long volunteer service opportunity to both alumni/alumnae and faculty members. Embedded within the university’s social formation track, the program aims to enhance the social spirituality of every Atenean, translated into volunteerism and service for and with marginalized and vulnerable sectors. Volunteers commit to a year of service, integrating into partner communities/institutions with specific needs that the program endeavors to address. Inspired by the transformative experience of St. Ignatius by the Cardoner River, the program aspires to evoke a similar transformative joy in participants through active engagement in building friendships, fostering dialogue, and witnessing positive change.
G. Ignite – Social Formation for Faculty and NTPs
Figure 8. Accompanying faculty and non-teaching personnel towards social engagement and justice through growth sessions and transformative immersion experiences, IGNITE fosters AdDU’s Sui Generis Leaders for the Common Good.
About the Program
The commitment to “faith that does justice” lies at the core of the Ateneo de Davao University community, shaping its identity and values. IGNITE serves as a platform for this social dimension of faith to emerge through the role of faculty and non-teaching personnel as formators, guides, and culture-bearers for Ateneo Sui Generis Leaders (ASGL) and in their compassionate service for the poor and marginalized in society. Anchored in the framework of “Fire that Enkindles other Fire,” IGNITE supports the growth of individuals in social engagement throughout their professional journey, from probation to retirement.
The program incorporates two dialectic components in Social Formation—formative ongoing sessions and transformative exposure/immersion experiences. In its formative aspect, IGNITE aims to provide growth sessions fostering social conscience, challenging cultural mindsets, and discerning paths for self-transcendence in service with and for others. The Immersion Component of the program affirms and emphasizes the two dimensions of social commitment to justice: contemplative Seeing (“Seeing as God Sees”) and Transformative Action, encouraging individuals to move towards the margins and peripheries of society as “Places of Conversion, Collaboration, and Communion.”
H. Community Engagement Program (CEP)
Figure 9. The Community Engagement Program strengthens the partnership between AOSF and stakeholders as they collaborate with communities for the well-being of its people through long-term engagement and short-term outreach.
About the Program
The Community Engagement Program (CEP) is the support arm of the Arrupe Office of Social Formation (AOSF) tasked to facilitate all outreach and engagement related activities as a means of providing opportunities for social formation to students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) and strengthening the partnership between AOSF and partner communities and institutions we consider as co-formators.
The University Community Engagement and Advocacy Council (UCEAC) Guidelines for Community Engagement defined Outreach as to any undertaking by an individual, collective or as a university which is short term in nature. The participants of this undertaking may offer their services, expertise or participate in various activities of a partner organization or communities. Engagement is the process of working collaboratively with and through groups of people affiliated by geographic proximity, special interest or similar issues affecting the well-being of those people. This is an undertaking by any member of the AdDU, may it be individuals, centers, or institutes, which is long term in period.
