Future-Proof Education in a VUCA World through HISFlex
The pandemic gave us an experience of how a virus can cause unexpected upheavals in our society. The changes wrought have resulted in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world. When the COVID 19 pandemic ends, there will still be wars, upheavals, and unprecedented manufactured and natural calamities. These struggles will continue demanding from each intelligence, knowledge, insight, commitment, sacrifice, and cooperation for a shared common good. The volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity will be no different with future pandemics or crises.
Given all these, Ateneo de Davao University is gearing up for future-proof education through the Hybrid Implementation Strategy using a FLEXible modality or HISFlex of blended learning. This blended learning method will strengthen critical thinking, creativity, communication skills, and collaboration. Through HISFlex, students will learn to satisfy their curiosity; exercise initiative, leadership, and socio-cultural awareness; develop grit and persistence, and adapt to change.
The old face-to-face learning confines those who are physically present in the same time and place (e.g., classroom or laboratory). At the other end of the spectrum is fully online instruction, which allows students to study or work from anywhere (e.g., at home, in a coffee shop, etc.) via online platforms or learning environments (e.g., Daigler, Moodle, Google Classroom). Students “check-in” with a course teacher and engage in online communication when more explanation is needed. What is shaping to be the best of both worlds is HISFlex. This alternative school setting allows students to attend in-person, on-campus classes or opt for virtual classes, based on their learning activities. It does not limit students to learning within the four walls of the classroom. In this pandemic, flexible learning is the most suitable modality, considering the students’ health risk levels and attendance concerns.
The University has upscaled and is moving forward to master new learning technologies that will enable the community to best engage with others in a VUCA and interconnected world. Thus, starting School Year 2022-2023, Ateneo de Davao University is adopting HISFlex.
AIM Hosts an International Learning Session on Restorative Justice and Disinformation
The Ateneo de Davao University, through the Ateneo Internationalization for Mindanao (AIM) Office hosted an International Learning Session (ILS) on Restorative Justice and Disinformation with Mr. Jeremy Simons, PhD as the lead discussant. The ILS took place via Zoom teleconference last 23 June 2022 (Thursday).
The Ateneo de Davao University has always welcomed opportunities for meaningful dialogue with academics and researchers from all over the world. Such opportunities have allowed the University to constantly foster international learning and intercultural understanding with its neighbors in the academe and from all over the world.
Hence, the regular hosting of online International Learning Sessions (ILS) wherein the AIM Office is able to engage esteemed scholars and guest lecturers from various fields of study in a dialogue session.
For the June 2022 leg of the ILS series, the University hosted Dr. Jeremy Simons of the University of Otago, New Zealand. He is a peace advocate who has previously worked with the Mindanao Peacebuilding Institute. His research on restorative justice has its roots in Mindanao history, and he recently extended his study to include peace and democracy in the era of disinformation. Dr. Simons was joined by Dr. Vida Mia S. Valverde, Chair of the Philosophy Department as a discussion reactor from the Ateneo de Davao University.
The ILS was attended by 153 participants, mostly students, faculty, and staff members from partner higher education institutions abroad, hailing from countries like Indonesia, the US, India, and Japan. In this learning session, the participants were given the opportunity to learn the concepts and practices of restorative justice, especially in the context of widespread disinformation, with restorative justice being a community-led and dialogue-based approach to socioeconomic healing and reconciliation.
ADDU Center Against Illegal Drugs Bags 1st Place in the 2022 CHED-PADS Innovative Awards - National Level
The Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU) won first place in the 2022 Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy (PADS) Innovative Awards-National level. Among the eight HEIs from all over the Philippines that submitted entries, AdDU was chosen as one of the top five and was later declared the winner of the award. AdDU represented Region XI Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) by winning the Regional Level CHED PADS Innovative Awards on April 25, 2022.
The Commission on Higher Education spearheaded the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy (PADS) Innovative Awards in accordance with RA 7722 and EO No. 66, S. 2018, otherwise known as the "Higher Education Act of 1994" and "Institutionalizing the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy." The activity aimed to showcase the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) strategies and innovative programs and projects related to drug prevention, education, and drug use control. The national-level awards were based on the same criteria as the regional-level awards, which included the following: (1) policies and structures implemented within the organization, (2) programs and projects implemented in the university and partner communities, (3) anti-illegal drugs extension and outreach services, and (4) the conduct of anti-illegal drugs related research.
The awarding was held last June 9, 2022, at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier, Bajada, Davao City. On behalf of Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, AdDU University President, the award was received by Dr. Roawie Quimba, RN, former Director and Member of the Board of Directors, and Ms. Mary Grace P. Monocillo, MSSW, RSW, the current Director of the Center Against Illegal Drugs (CAID). Mr. Roman Jano Rabe, AdDU Aerospace Engineering student and National Service Reserve Corps (NSRC) President, also shared his experience in the Substance Abuse Prevention Education (SAPE) program of the ARRUPE Office of Social Formation (AOSF) during the event.
ADDU Alumna Agnes Locsin awarded as one of the National Artists for 2022
Congratulations to Ms. Agnes Locsin for being declared as one of the National Artists for 2022. Ms. Locsin is the 6th National Artist for Dance and 6th Mindanawon National Artist.
On June 10, 2022, Malacañang Palace, upon joint recommendation of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), officially announced the eight new National Artists by virtue of Proclamation no. 1390, namely Agnes Locsin for Dance, Salvacion Lim-Higgins for Design (Fashion), Nora Villamayor a.k.a Nora Aunor, Ricardo “Ricky” Lee and Marilou Diaz-Abaya for Film and Broadcast Arts, Gemino Abad for Literature, Fides Cuyugan-Asensio for Music, and Antonio “Tony” Mabesa for Theater.
The Order of National Artist, established under Proclamation no. 1001 signed in 1972, is the highest national recognition conferred upon Filipinos who have made distinct contributions to the development of the Philippine arts and culture.
Ms. Locsin is one of the country’s most esteemed contemporary choreographers, an alumna of the Ateneo de Davao University (AB English 1979), and a University awardee of the Fr. Theodore Daigler Award for Mindanao Culture and Arts (2017).
Ms. Locsin was officially nominated by Fr. Joel E. Tabora, SJ, ADDU President by virtue of Board Resolution no. 2017-27 in 2020.
