ADNU named one of RP’s finest in student services;
A-Will wins best leadership program award

By Rodolfo ‘Sonny’ SB. Virtus Jr.

The Ateneo de Naga University brought home two national awards from the Search for Best Student Services Awarding Ceremony held last April 17, 2009 at the National Center for Public Administration and Governance Assembly Hall, University of the Philippines-Diliman, Quezon City.

Along with 13 other higher educational institutions, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) recognized ADNU as one of the Philippines’ top schools and undisputedly Region 5’s best in the areas of student welfare, services and development programs. ADNU scored high ratings in the Search’s criteria: (1) National Relevance (vision, mission, goals of student services); (2) Student Welfare Program and Services, (3) Student Development Program and Services, and (4) Impact to Students.

The Ateneo Workshop on Ignatian leadership for Life (A-Will) was also awarded Best Student Leadership Program in the country. With Ignatian-rooted framework and program design for the formation and training of ADNU’s student organizations, this unique leadership program offers three parts throughout the school year: Summer A-Will which highlights basic leadership themes, Teambuilding for Student Leaders and Basic Facilitating Skills. The program has been considered by many student leaders and organizations as effective in equipping them with the necessary self-awareness, appropriate values, motivations and skills as they hurdle leadership and teambuilding challenges. The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) runs the program, with other Formation and Student Support Offices (FSSO) under the Deputy Academic Vice President for Formation (DAVPVF).

The ADNU was the only Ateneo school which made it to the national level of the Search.

Present in the ceremony were DAVPF Janet B. Badong-Badilla, OSA Director Atty. Jo Aileen A. Cabiles, Presidential Assistant Rodolfo SB. Virtus Jr., and CHED-Region V supervisor Dr. Dennis R. Rebueno. The awards were personally handed to the ADNU delegation by CHED honchos led by Chairman Emmanuel Y. Angeles.

BEST FEATURES AND STRENGTHS
Earlier, ADNU was recognized by CHED-Region V as regional winner, besting other schools Bikol. Qualifying to the national search, a Technical Working Group from CHED Central Office visited the University last February 13, interviewed administrators, staff and students, made ocular inspections in frontline student-servicing offices and facilities as part of the rigid validation and selection process of the Search. The group named highlights and strengths in its validation report.

Along with A-Will, the Ateneo Student Awareness and Action Program (ASAP!) was also in the list of ADNU’s best features. OSA, through ASAP!, has produced some activities for student leaders and organizations like Pay It Forward: Thanking God Through Volunteerism, Filipino Youth Diaspora: To leave or not to leave the Philippines, and has redefined as formation programs the National Situationer Update and the Dugong Atenista.

The group also commended the development-centered program of the College Admission and Aid Office for student assistants assigned in various offices of the University. The same office was praised for its effective organization for scholars – Gabay.

The semestral conduct of fire and earthquake drills and disaster response management seminars by OSA was considered one of the best features for the regularity of these activities that ensure students’ safety while in the campus.

The group found the programs of the College Guidance Office (CGC) comprehensive. CGC has particularly exhibited its working programs on orientation and reorientation of students, career planning and development, skills development and enhancement, counselling and referrals, group guidance and student volunteers, among others.

The Office of Gender Concerns (OGC) programs on Gender Issues Advocacy, Human Sexuality Development and Crisis Management were found strong. Through these programs, OGC has for a long time run Speakers’ Circuit, series of gender development-related fora, Women’s week Celebration and Youth Camp on Gender and Sexuality, and given services for persons in special cases, among others.

The availability of student accident insurance was likewise considered strength.

Moreso, the group found the programs of the University Health Services good and the Parents and Teachers’ Association functional.