By MERLINA R. HERNANDO
Most people sees education as a controlling grace to the young, consolation to the old, wealth to the poor and an ornament to the rich but when it comes to the ATENEO DE MANILA UNIVERSITY, education and being an educational institution are entirely different businesses.
As a University, the Ateneo de Manila seeks to preserve, extend and to communicate truth and apply it to the development of man and the preservation of his environment. As a Filipino university, it seeks to identify and enrich Philippine culture and to make it its own and through the education of the whole person, it aims to contribute to the development goals of the nation. And as a Catholic university, it seeks to form persons who–following the teachings and example of Christ–will devote their lives to the service of their fellowmen and serve especially those who are most in need of help: the poor and the powerless.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
The history of the University began when the first Spanish Jesuits arrived in the country in 1581 to do missionary work. Being custodians of the Ratio studorium–a system of Jesuit education–they founded Colegio de Manila (also known as the Colegio Seminario de San Ignacio) established in Intramuros in 1590 by the Jesuit Priest Antonio Sedeño. In 1621, Pope Gregory XV authorized the school to confer degrees in theology and arts. King Philip IV of Spain confirmed the authorization two years later that made the school both a papal and a royal university, thus the first university in the Philippines and in Asia.
In 1768, the Jesuits handed over the San Ignacio to Spanish civil authorities after their expulsion from Spain and the rest of the Spanish realm including the Philippines. In April 1859, ten Spanish Jesuits arrived in Manila authorized by a Royal Decree of 1852 to do missionary work in Mindanao and Jolo. However, their reputation as educators remains ensconced among the leaders in Manila.
On August, the Ayuntamiento or city council requested the Governor-General for a Jesuit school to be financed by public money. Two months later, the Jesuits were authorized to take over the Escuela Municipal, a small private school maintained for some 30 children of Spanish residents.
The Ateneo de Manila University began life when the Escuela became the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, a primary school established in Intramuros by Spanish priests of the Society of Jesus in 1859. In 1865, it was elevated in to an institution of secondary education and offered the bachillerato as well as technical courses leading to certificates in agriculture, surveying and business. Ateneo lost its government subsidy and became a private institution in the early 1900s. In 1908, the colonial government recognized it as a college licensed to offer the bachelor's degree and certificates in various disciplines. In 1912, American Jesuits took over the administration of the college and in 1932, under Fr. Richard O'Brien–the third American rector–the Ateneo transferred to Padre Faura. In 1952, it moved to its present Loyola Heights campus even as the Padre Faura campus continued to house the professional schools. Fr. Francisco Araneta, the first Filipino rector was appointed in 1958 and in 1959, the Ateneo became a university. The Padre Faura campus was closed in 1976 and a year after, the university opened a new campus for its professional schools in Salcedo, Makati. In 1998, the Professional Schools at Rockwell, Makati–which houses the Graduate School of Business, Law School and the School of Government–was built. However, the Ateneo Information Technology Institute remains in the Salcedo campus.
Looking forward to its 145th anniversary, the Ateneo de Manila University is indeed one of the finest institutions of higher learning in the country today
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Aimed at developing students to become leaders in their respective fields of endeavor and to be socially responsible citizens in the national and global contexts, the Loyola Schools offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the arts and sciences and a holistic non-academic formation program. It is composed of the School of Humanities, the John Gokongwei School of Management, the School of Science and Engineering, and the School of Social Sciences. The undergraduate curricula of the Loyola Schools consist of two major components: the core curriculum which is a very strong and integrated program of liberal arts education, and the major curriculum which is a carefully developed and regularly updated program of studies.
The special concern of the graduate programs is to develop high levels of competence in research or professional practice in the various academic disciplines and the formation of educators, scientists, and researchers who will contribute to excellence in the Philippine educational system and to the development of the society. All told, the university's student population–from grade school to undergraduate and graduate degree programs–mounts up to almost 15,000-18,000.
TRADITIONS & INNOVATIONS
One of the most distinct traditions in the university is being emphasized on how they show their a strong devotion to Mary, the school's patroness. “Every October, Ateneans wear the 'October medal' which is a miraculous medal with blue ribbon that signifies their devotion to Mary and the Month of Rosary,” says Planning and Development & Alumni Affairs vice president Fr. Carmelo Caluag II, S. J.
Cura personalis–care for the individual persona hallmark of Jesuit education, is also being emphasized in the Loyola Schools. “Since we have grown in terms of population, we're hoping to institutionalize that kind of teacher formation because that is a very Jesuit tradition–that personal care,” he adds. The whole point of trying to push for excellence is also one the reasons why Ateneo is unique. Believing that there's a need to strengthen excellence to face the challenges given by the changing times, Fr. Caluag says, “I think what really distinguishes our sense of excellence is we always aim to render better service because this is our apostolate. We also believe that this is a part of our work for the Church and for the young men and women who will hopefully would serve society, the church, humanity, and ultimately serve God.”
When it comes to the innovations, Fr. Caluag explains, “It is part of education to constantly seek new trends and when you say trends, not so much kung ano 'yung uso but you need to study a lot. You have to consider what are the possible needs that would arise as we move towards the future and how can we respond to that.” As part of the university's effort to respond to the changing times, they have revised the core curriculum by lessening the number of units to give the students more time to study on their own. “We also wanted to add some more units to their fields of specialization considering that there is a growing shift in the job market because of globalization and technology.”
The major adjustment is the offering of new programs and degrees that will focus on the country's needs. At this preliminary stage, the discussions to offer an undergraduate Sports Marketing Program are on going. “We believe that sports is one important element in youth development and with the growing population, we do have to manage our sports development program better,” he points out.
Since it takes time to plan programs, courses and degrees, the institution is constantly trying to foresee how to respond to the challenges both now and in the future. Aside from the innovations, Ateneo also launches a major fundraising starting now and until 2009 in preparation to the university's 150th year celebration. Other innovations include the relatively newly-built church, two new buildings: one in School of Management and Ateneo-PLDT Convergent Technologies; new Science Center in the High School and the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center. In the next three years, they are planning to build three more buildings: a Student Center, a Library and a Medical Center.
Still according to him the university wants to adhere to the whole idea of formation of the students. “Although there is already a formation program, there's always room to improve the character, the moral, and the spiritual formation of the students beyond the academic and professional training.”
Being still in the process of constantly updating their degrees and courses, the university–as an academic community–seeks all these the possibilities that would enable them to exercise the functions of a proper university and that is to mold the future architects of the country through teaching, research, and community service. “Definitely, we are not perfect but we're trying our best to keep pace with the changes by constantly trying to excel in whatever endeavor we choose to get into.” says the vice president. Assessing the successes they have had in some areas and the improvement in other areas Fr. Caluag believes, “We are doing all these because we owe it to our country, we owe it to our people, and we owe it to the youth to try to excel given the resources we are blessed with and to try to be the best university that we could possibly become.”
