The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) recognized Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) as one of the awardees of the 1st Philippine Higher Education Internationalization Award. ADDU, through its Ateneo Internationalization for Mindanao (AIM) Office, was awarded for its Strategic Internationalization in the time of COVID-19.
AIM continues to support Ateneo de Davao University’s revitalized vision and mission; that ‘as Filipino, it contributes to and serves Mindanao’—in its formation of graduates whose world-class competencies are ultimately dedicated to Mindanao—while at the same time being in service of a mission that ‘promotes cultural understanding and friendship with its Asian neighbors.’ The AIM Office continues to pursue these principles as they are fundamental in its goal of strategic internationalization for local impacts.
AIM’s international student support initiatives such as the semestral online orientation, and the process coordination for visa assistance and international enrollment. The university has been continuously taking part in international collaborations such as its recently-signed agreements with the following institutions: Dhurakij Pundit University, Thailand; Saint Martin’s University, United States of America; Nipissing University, Canada; King’s University College at Western University, Canada; Niagara College, Canada; and University of Management and Technology Lahore, Pakistan.
Aside from that, the ADDU Community has been involved in special projects with the Xavier Learning Community (XLC) in Chiang Rai, Thailand, and the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Institute of Higher Studies (SAG-IHS), in Taunggyi, Myanmar. Also, the AIM Office was able to assist in securing financial aid for the Courseware Development Project (CDP) through the valuable support of the United Board for Christian Higher Education in Asia.
AIM was also able to implement Global Experiential Learning (GEL) Programs in spite of the challenges of online learning. These programs include Virtual International Learning Sessions (ILS) in partnership with the Davao Colleges and Universities Network (DACUN) Internationalization and Linkages Committee (ILC); University of Management and Technology (Lahore, Pakistan); and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (USA).
Other GEL Programs include the Remote Internship Program September 2020 Cycle which was joined by students from Myanmar, and the International Electronic Service-Learning Program October 2020 Cycle participated by students from Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Over 40 higher education institutions submitted their innovative internationalization strategies for the said award. CHED and UPOU successfully organized the 1st Philippine Higher Education Internationalization (PHEI) Award held last 19 May 2021.
