Category: News & Events

Ateneo de Davao University, through the Ateneo Internationalization for Mindanao (AIM) Office, in collaboration with the Ateneo Islamic Studies and the Al Qalam Institute of the Ateneo de Davao University, held an International Learning Session on Innovations in Islamic Education at the Pakighinabi Room, 3rd Floor, Ricci Hall, on the 8th of September 2026.
School of Arts and Sciences Dean Dr. Nelly Z. Limbadan, RPsy, RPm, CSCLP, formally welcomed the visiting speakers, Dr. Muhammad Ali Bakri, S.Sos., M.Pd., Vice Director of Ma’had Al-Birr, and Rosmalina Kemala, S.Kom., M.Pd., Lecturer of the Islamic Religious Education Program, both from Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar (UNISMUH), Indonesia.
Integrating Religious Formation with University Learning
Dr. Bakri opened the session with “Innovations in Islamic Education: Islamic Studies Learning and the Ma’had-Based Learning Model,” discussing an approach that combines residential Islamic formation and learning with the university curriculum.
He set Ma’had Al-Birr, the institute he leads at Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, as a working example of this model, providing students the opportunity to pursue religious formation and a university education side by side rather than as separate tracks. Setting a collegial tone for the exchange, he remarked, “We are here not to speak, but also to learn.”
The discussion also provided an opportunity to explore how elements of the model may inform Islamic education initiatives and programs such as the Madaris Volunteer Program within the university.
Navigating AI Use in Islamic Education
In the second segment, Ms. Kemala centered her talk on “Responsible Generative AI Use in Islamic Education,” noting that students already widely used tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Copilot for research, ideas, translation, writing, and conceptual explanation. Kemala stressed that the real issue is not whether students use AI, but whether they can evaluate, verify, and remain responsible for their final output.
Ms. Kemala presented a three-capacity framework for ethical generative AI use: AI literacy, human agency, and ethical judgment. AI literacy means understanding, using, evaluating, and verifying AI output. Human agency means setting goals, questioning or modifying AI suggestions, and owning the outcome. Ethical judgment rests on integrity, transparency, privacy, fairness, and accountability.
Continuing Academic Exchanges
The session served as an interactive exchange between students and the visiting speakers on emerging approaches in Islamic pedagogy and the evolving role of technology in religious education, forming part of AdDU’s ongoing international academic exchanges with institutions across the region.

On 4 September 2026, the Ateneo de Davao Physics Department conducted the second leg of its Symposium on Applied Physics and Emerging Technologies at Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School (DRANHS) in the morning and Davao City National High School (DCNHS) in the afternoon.
Physics Department Chairperson Dr. Belinda F. Faustino opened both sessions with a welcome address, situating the symposium within the department’s broader goal of exposing senior high school students to the breadth of Physics and the career opportunities it offers.
From Curiosity to Career: What Physics Makes Possible
Dominador F. Vaso, Jr., a PhD candidate in Physics, opened the technical discussions by describing mathematics as a tool for testing ideas about nature before applying them in the real world. Vaso walked students through fundamental concepts in Physics, illustrating how curiosity can be transformed into structured inquiry and measurable results.
Andelson L. Berondo, MSc, a Medical Physicist and Assistant Professor at Ateneo de Davao University, discussed the field of Medical Physics and its applications in healthcare. Berondo described the role of a medical physicist as a link between advanced technology and safe patient treatment, and outlined career paths in radiotherapy, diagnostic imaging, nuclear medicine, government regulation, and industry.
Jonathan N. Patricio, a PhD candidate in Materials Science and Engineering, discussed emerging developments in Materials Science and Nanotechnology, noting that materials have become active components of everyday technology rather than passive objects.
Dr. Jose Presiphil B. Ontolan, Jr. shared his path into the profession, recalling an early ambition to become a professional soccer player before pursuing Physics. “Everything around us involves Physics,” he told students, underscoring the discipline’s presence in daily life.
Engaging the Next Generation of Physicists
Faculty members Dr. Rachel B. Remedios hosted the event, while Engr. Dave Marvyn S. Salvador of Materials Engineering facilitated interactive icebreaker sessions with students, featuring Q&A portions covering beginning to intermediate Physics concepts.
The symposium is the second installment in a series of school visits organized by the department, following its inaugural session at the Philippine Science High School – Davao Region Campus on 7 August 2026.

Ateneo de Davao University, through the Department of Theology and the Ateneo Internationalization for Mindanao (AIM) Office, launched the first leg of its International Learning Sessions on 2 September 2026, with a Theological Forum held at the 11th Floor, Calungsod-San Vitores Center.
The afternoon session, grounded on the topic, “Why Study Theology? The Sense of Thinking Faith,” opened with remarks by Department of Theology Chairperson Mr. Roawie L. Quimba, PhD, who welcomed the visiting scholars, faculty, and students. Mr. Noriel R. Rogon of the Theology Department introduced the guests.

Faith, Inquiry, and the Witness of History
Fr. Felix Körner, SJ, a dogmatic theologian and professor from Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany, reflected on the nature of theological inquiry, exploring how faith is thought through, prayed through, contemplated, and experienced. His presentation delved into the history of Jesuits during political persecution, particularly the witness of Alfred Delp, SJ, a German Jesuit who resisted political oppression and was executed in 1945.
The late Delp’s story served as a reflection point on resilience, trust, and the pursuit of a society grounded in justice and human dignity.
The forum also featured Mr. Muhammed Mansur Doğan, a sociologist and theologian from Humboldt University whose work centers on ethics and interfaith marriages. Together, their presentations explored interreligious and interfaith relations, systematic theology, and the critical role of academic institutions in fostering meaningful dialogue across traditions.
How Religion and Faith Shape a Nation
Faculty and students engaged in open discussions following the presentations, sharing reflections and entering into dialogue on the diverse religious traditions and faith experiences represented within the session, guided by the question of how religion and faith shape a nation.
One student expressed, “Any religion can change the world because it instills discipline within people, it instills morals to us, it unifies us, and it gives us something to believe.” Another shared, “Faith shapes a nation, not just from the throne, but from the soul awakening the conscience that protects the vulnerable.”
Theology Faculty Member Mr. Denilo Agustin Jr. reflected on the concept of dangerous memory. “[It] challenges us not to forget the sacrifices of those who confronted political violence, corruption, and injustice, and this is very important in the context of the Philippines right now,” he said.
Mr. Niel John Capidos, also of the Theology Department, underscored the dialogical nature of faith, noting that reconciliation and the correction of historical injustices are central to religious life. He added, “Peacebuilding and reconciliation work in Mindanao is very important as part of our religion.”
The session was closed by Ms. Marlina Dayrit of the Theology Department, who called the community to reread historical texts in the light of the postmodern era, carrying forward Christian hope. She closed with the words of Pope Paul VI: “We build peace through justice and love.”
The International Learning Sessions series runs from 2-9 September 2026, and will also feature a Lecture on Interfaith Marriages and a Lecture on Magnifica humanitas with University President Fr. Karel S. San Juan, SJ.