The Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) hosted Dr. J. Prospero de Vera III, Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), for the first day’s session of the “Adult Education Training Program: Meeting the Emerging Needs of Adult Learning Professionals” conference last Wednesday, 9 January 2019, at the Calungsod-San Vitores Jesuit-Lay Collaboration Center, 11th Floor of the Community Center of the First Companions, Jacinto campus. The program is slated to run from 9 to 11 January 2019, drawing together participants and heads of adult education programs from universities across the country, and is organized by the CHED in partnership with the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE). Representing the Ateneo de Davao is the Coordinator of the Ateneo de Davao Academy of Lifelong Learning (ADD-ALL), Ms. Ayessa Velasquez, who shared the continuing progress made by the Academy in its close to a year’s operations.
In addressing the school heads gathered in the hall, Dr. de Vera cited the role of continuing adult education in fulfilling one of the university’s vital role in serving the public; for example, teaching “a farmer literacy and numeracy” will help him “earn a living,” but if not, the farmer will fall prey to unscrupulous individuals. He also noted that the general Filipino public may not know much about adult education and its value because their conception of education is confined to the framework of the standard basic to college education. Finally, he also expressed support for any initiative that the participants may decide upon after the three-day program.
Leading the development of adult education in the Philippines, the Ateneo de Davao Academy of Lifelong Learning is the new, affordable, and exciting academy offered by the Ateneo de Davao University for learners aged twenty-five and above. ADD-ALL offers both professional and personal development tracks comprising non-degree short courses for adult learners. These short courses feature fun classes that will help people learn new skills, develop new hobbies, and meet new friends. The program also integrates technopreneurship into selected courses to help learners earn from their passions through creating start-up business models for new ventures. Classes had begun last 9 June 2018.
Interested applicants may reach ADD-ALL through their Facebook (www.facebook.com/lifelonglearningaddu), Twitter (www.twitter.com/addu_all), email (lifelonglearning@addu.edu.ph), or landline at (082) 221 – 2411 local 8296. Applicants may also visit the ADD-ALL office located at the Office of the President, G/F Canisius Hall, Ateneo de Davao University, Jacinto campus.