Category: News and Stories

On 30 October 2026, students from the Ateneo de Davao University Senior High School unit took a closer look at their futures during Career Day 2026, a full-day program of career talks and breakout sessions with the University’s five schools: the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS), School of Business and Governance (SBG), School of Education (SOE), School of Engineering and Architecture (SEA), and School of Nursing (SON).
Clusters from each school set up interactive displays in key areas across the campus. The displays presented the academic programs each school offers, the skills and competencies these programs develop, and the career paths open to their graduates.
A future “at your doorstep”
The program opened with remarks from Dr. Gina L. Montalan, Vice President for Basic Education, who reminded the students that the future is nearer than they think. “The future is no longer a distant horizon… to each of you; it is right here at your doorstep,” she said.
Dr. Montalan added that Career Day was designed to give students meaningful exposure to a wide range of academic and career pathways through direct engagement with professionals and experts in the field, many of whom are outstanding graduates of the University’s Higher Education Unit.
Ms. Ima V. Oani, Coordinator of the ADDU SHS Wellness and Testing Center, described Career Day as a milestone in the students’ transition to college. “This is the end part as you transition from senior high school to college, and a starting point of your career development,” she said.
Ms. Oani recalled that the Senior High School readiness assessments, which measured achievement in English, science, and math, along with aptitude and interests, guided students toward their electives. She said that the event is the culmination of the said process, giving students a clearer view of the opportunities awaiting them in higher education.
Career talks and breakout sessions
The career talk proper introduced students to the different career paths and programs they may pursue in higher education. They then moved through five rounds of breakout sessions, held per school, to learn more about what each school offers.
Higher Ed alumni share their paths
The career talk featured five notable alumni, one from each of the University’s schools. They shared how their years at Ateneo de Davao prepared them for their fields and gave students a firsthand look at the careers their chosen programs can lead to.
Mr. Ed Ivan M. Bardoquillo, RCh, MSc (SAS) is an Assistant Professor and researcher at ADDU who graduated Summa cum Laude in Chemistry. His work spans polymers, nanotechnology, and plastic waste management, and he has published in Scopus-indexed journals.
Ms. Sharmaine Dianne Mamaed, CPA CMA (SBG) graduated Summa cum Laude and as Class Valedictorian in Accountancy. She ranked 4th nationwide in the 2015 CPA Licensure Examination and placed 3rd globally in the January/February 2026 US CMA Examination window. She is now Manager for Finance Controllership at Frontier Tower Associates Philippines.
Ms. Ailene Renee G. Tagorda, LPT (SOE) graduated Magna cum Laude in Secondary Education, major in Science. She currently teaches in the ALS-SHS program at F. Bustamante National High School and has led climate and women-in-science initiatives.
Ar. Fritz Mari S. Sendrijas, UAP (SEA) graduated Magna cum Laude in Architecture and placed first nationwide in the June 2023 Architecture Licensure Examination. He is now an architect at Aidea, Inc. and a national review lecturer at JPT Review Center.
Mr. Clifford Jay P. Cafe, RN (SON) graduated Magna cum Laude in Nursing and placed 2nd in the August–September 2026 Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination. He is currently a researcher at TopRank Review Academy.
Scholarships, student life, and enrollment
The closing program began with a presentation of scholarship programs by Ms. Devi Joy Barcena, Scholarship Officer of the Office of Admission and Aid. She introduced three college scholarships: the Grant-in-Aid (GIA) Scholarship, the Jubilee Scholarship Fund (JSF), and the Working Scholars Program (WSP).
Mr. Gene Leo A. Jesuro, Director of the Office of Admission and Aid, invited the Senior High School students to join the Higher Education Unit and introduced them to student life at the University, including student organizations under the assemblages of socio-civic, culture and arts, faith and formation, and more. He also highlighted the University’s formation programs, Ignatian spirituality, service learning, and academic excellence.
Dr. Maria Teresa B. Isidor, Assistant to the VP-HE for Academic Matters, delivered the closing remarks on behalf of the Vice President for Higher Education. She welcomed the students on behalf of the Higher Education community, noting that the University “offers one of the diverse ranges of academic programs in the region, if not in the whole Mindanao.”
Dr. Isidor urged the students to use their remaining time in Senior High School to reflect seriously on their choices. “Ask yourself, what kind of work excites me? What am I genuinely interested in?” she said.
She also acknowledged that the abundance of options can be overwhelming. “With so many choices, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. But remember, listen to yourself. Know your strength. Recognize your interest. And be honest about what you want to pursue,” she said.
As students prepare for their next chapter, the University remains committed to guiding them toward higher education and the careers they choose to pursue.
 

Ateneo de Davao University has been named the highest-ranked private university in Mindanao in the QS Asia University Rankings 2027.
The University placed 12th among the 45 Philippine universities in this year’s edition. It also ranked 2nd among universities in Mindanao and 1st among those in Davao City and the Davao Region (Region XI).
Internationally, ADDU ranked 157th in Southeast Asia and landed in the 951–1000 band in Asia.
About the rankings
The QS World University Rankings: Asia is published annually by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a London-based higher education analyst. The 2027 edition came out in early November 2026.
The Asia ranking follows a methodology similar to that of the QS World University Rankings, with additional indicators and adjusted weightings suited to the region.
It evaluates institutions on a range of measures, including academic and employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, research output and impact, the share of staff with doctoral degrees, international students and faculty, student exchange, and international research collaboration.
The previous edition covered more than 1,500 institutions across Asia, making the ranking one of the region’s most widely referenced benchmarks in higher education.
A reflection of ADDU’s mission
The University reinforces its commitment to academic excellence, research, meaningful engagement, and transformative Jesuit education.
The Ateneo de Davao community dedicates this achievement to its students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and institutional partners. It said their dedication continues to advance the University’s mission of forming individuals committed to excellence and service.

On 28 October 2026, Ateneo de Davao University culminated its observance of the Month of the Holy Rosary, celebrating a month filled with shared prayer and renewed devotion to the Blessed Mother.
A prayerful opening
The observance began on the 5th of October 2026 with the Blessing of Marian Images at the Finster Grounds, organized by the College Campus Ministry Office. University offices were invited to bring their Marian images to the grounds before the program started. Rev. Fr. Jessel Gerard “Jboy” M. Gonzales, SJ, Director of the Ignatian Spirituality and Formation Office, gave the welcome remarks. Offices then joined in praying the Holy Rosary, setting the tone for the weeks ahead.
Mary’s presence in the University offices
From the 1st to the 28th of October 2026, offices were encouraged to place an image of Mary outside their doors as a visible reminder of her presence on campus. Staff were also invited to write their petition prayers on scratch paper and drop them into a Petition Box, which Campus Ministry staff collected, so that the intentions of the community could be held in prayer.
Birhen sa Barangay Visitation
Throughout the month, the Birhen sa Barangay image traveled across the University, beginning at the Campus Ministry Office on October 6 and returning there on October 28. Its first stop was the Office of Student Affairs, the Bookstore, and the Samahan and student offices. It later stayed with the Human Resource Management and Development Office, the Alumni (Pathways), Admission, and Registrar’s offices, the Audio-Visual Room and Library, and the Arrupe and Confucius Institute offices.
Near the end of its journey, it visited the Deans’ Offices, the President’s and Finance Offices, and the Theology Department and other academic departments. On weekdays at 2:30 PM, the host office, neighboring offices, and campus ministers gathered to pray the Rosary before the image was carried to its next stop.
Rooted in Jesuit Tradition
The month’s activities also pointed to Mary’s place in Jesuit history. As a Jesuit institution, the University recalled her role in the conversion of St. Ignatius of Loyola and in the early days of the Society of Jesus. Through these gatherings, the community entrusted its prayers and intentions to her and asked that her intercession draw everyone closer to her Son, Jesus.