Summary of the Strategic Conversations Round 2
Summary of the Strategic Conversations Round 2
Our Values and Principles in ADDU
A consistent theme in responses, Magis reflects the drive to do more and be better, whether in academics, service, or personal growth. Encourages seeking greater love, care, and compassion for others.
Cura Personalis (Care for the Whole Person)
Emphasizes empathy, respect, and holistic care for individuals, extending this principle to students, colleagues, and the broader community. Seen as foundational for fostering relationships and supporting personal and professional growth.
Christ-Centeredness and Faith
Guides daily actions and decisions through Jesuit spirituality and deep faith. Embodies gratitude, humility, and reverence for God while promoting justice and service.
Integrity and Honesty
Focused on ethical behavior, transparency, and responsibility in all decisions and actions. Encourages trust-building and upholding moral principles.
Commitment and Dedication to the Mission
Highlights dedication to the Jesuit mission, social justice, and excellence. Recognizes the importance of personal responsibility and accountability.
Compassion and Service
Encourages being “men and women for others” by prioritizing community engagement, volunteerism, and advocacy. Values equity and care for marginalized groups.
Inclusivity and Respect for Diversity
Advocates for mutual respect and appreciation of cultural, religious, and social diversity. Calls for an inclusive community where everyone feels valued.
Sustainability and Care for Creation
Reflects a commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices in both personal and institutional activities.
Social Responsibility
Emphasizes the need to address societal challenges and engage with local and global communities.
Leadership and Collaboration
Values teamwork, shared responsibility, and ethical leadership as essential components for achieving institutional goals.
Global Citizenship
Embodies a commitment to understanding and engaging with global challenges while staying rooted in Jesuit and Filipino values. It fosters a sense of responsibility to act with empathy and justice beyond local or national boundaries, emphasizing interconnectedness in an increasingly globalized world.
Many groups stressed the importance of making these values visible through institutional policies, programs, and faculty-student relationships. Several noted that these principles guide decision-making and create a supportive environment for students and staff alike.
The need for deeper alignment between values and daily practices. Bridging gaps in understanding Jesuit principles among diverse stakeholders.
Our Vision for ADDU
Emphasizes faith, Ignatian spirituality, and a commitment to values rooted in Jesuit traditions.
Academic Excellence and Innovation
Retain and enhance ADDU’s status as a premier institution in Mindanao. Maintain a high level of academic rigor, with an emphasis on research, technology integration, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Strengthen programs that prepare students for future challenges, including advancements in AI, robotics, and digital learning tools.
Global Competitiveness
Aspire to become a globally recognized university. Increase international partnerships, collaborations,
and participation in global rankings (e.g., QS, THE). Expand exchange programs, faculty collaborations, and international research initiatives.
Inclusivity and Accessibility
Enhance scholarship opportunities for marginalized and disadvantaged students, including Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and neuro-diverse learners. Ensure equity in admissions, program access, and faculty representation.
Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship
Establish ADDU as a leader in sustainable practices through energy-efficient infrastructure, green spaces, and sustainability-focused curricula. Promote awareness and action for climate justice and environmental preservation.
Enhanced Community Engagement
Expand efforts to address local and regional needs, particularly in Mindanao. Strengthen interfaith dialogue, partnerships with the Bangsamoro and Lumad communities, and cultural preservation initiatives. Create opportunities for active alumni involvement in service and mentorship.
Modernized Facilities and Infrastructure
Upgrade classrooms, laboratories, and sports facilities to align with global standards. Develop new buildings, closed gymnasiums, and specialized facilities (e.g., for SPED, arts, and athletics). Digitize administrative processes for efficiency and sustainability.
Focus on Mental Health and Well-being
Enhance support systems for mental health, emotional resilience, and wellness for both students and employees. Incorporate holistic approaches to personal growth in academic and co-curricular programs.
Research and Technological Advancements
Strengthen ADDU’s position as a research hub addressing societal needs in Mindanao and beyond. Foster technopreneurship and innovation through dedicated programs and funding for research initiatives.
Formation of Leaders and Professionals
Continue producing Sui Generis leaders with strong Jesuit values and a commitment to social justice and community service. Prioritize faculty development and succession planning to ensure leadership continuity and growth.
Key Discussion Points on the Vision and Mission Statements
Focus on “excellence,” “holistic formation,” “global competitiveness,” and “Mindanao’s development.” Expand beyond Mindanao to address national and global contexts.
Examples of Suggested Additions
Incorporate sustainability and technology themes. Highlight ADDU as a leader in academic excellence and transformative education. Position the university as a hub for ethical leadership and community impact.
Simplification for Accessibility
Simplify the mission language for different stakeholders, particularly grade school students, while maintaining depth for higher education levels. Translate the mission into Filipino and Bisaya for inclusivity.
Contextualization
Update the mission to address emerging issues like digital transformation, mental health, and sustainability. Expand the focus on inclusivity to encompass all marginalized sectors, not just Bangsamoro and Lumad communities.
Integration with Daily Practices
Strengthen the incorporation of Jesuit values (e.g., Magis, Cura Personalis) into academic and operational activities.
Many groups appreciate that ADDU’s vision and mission aligns with its Jesuit and Filipino identity and addresses local and global challenges. The mission’s focus on reconciliation, interreligious dialogue, and holistic education resonates deeply with the community.
Contextualization for Diverse Audiences
Adapt the mission for different stakeholders, including simpler versions for grade school students. Translate to Filipino and Bisaya to promote inclusivity and regional identity.
Emerging Themes to Include
Mental health and well-being as foundational to holistic education. Technology integration in learning and research. Broaden the focus on interfaith dialogue to include diverse marginalized communities beyond Mindanao. Add references to sustainability, innovation, and future-ready skills.
Streamlining Ideas
Collapse overlapping themes, such as combining statements on cultural understanding and interfaith dialogue. Use bullet points or short paragraphs for better readability.
Strengthen research funding and faculty development. Promote interdisciplinary collaboration and global accreditation.
Sustainability and Environment
Lead initiatives on climate action, renewable energy, and waste management. Integrate environmental stewardship across all programs.
Inclusivity and Accessibility
Expand scholarships for marginalized groups. Enhance facilities and programs for students with special needs.
Community Engagement
Strengthen partnerships with local and regional stakeholders, including BARMM and Lumad communities. Engage alumni as mentors and collaborators in university programs.
Technology and Innovation
Foster innovation in curriculum and pedagogy. Develop a robust policy on AI use in education and research. Transition to fully digitized operations for efficiency and sustainability.
Increase international partnerships for research, faculty exchange, and student mobility. Aspire to become a recognized leader in Southeast Asia for Jesuit and Filipino education.
Health and Well-being
Embed mental health support systems in the university culture. Strengthen wellness programs for both students and staff.
Leadership Development
Focus on cultivating ethical, values-driven leaders through academic and co-curricular programs. Promote succession planning and mentorship within faculty and administration.
Use infographics, videos, and visual aids to communicate the Vision and Mission effectively. Highlight Jesuit values through creative storytelling and narratives. Develop materials tailored to different stakeholder groups, ensuring alignment with their contexts.
The guiding statements should retain their Jesuit identity while addressing contemporary challenges like sustainability, inclusivity, and global relevance. Simplicity, clarity, and adaptability are critical for effective communication and engagement across the ADDU community.
Other Recommendations and Strategic Actions
Increase Enrollment
Develop community-based recruitment strategies targeting underserved areas. Expand scholarship programs and financial aid for marginalized and disadvantaged groups. Introduce flexible program offerings, such as hybrid learning and evening classes, to cater to working students.
Accessibility Improvements
Establish satellite campuses in strategic locations to reduce travel and traffic concerns. Enhance transportation options, including school buses for younger students.
Facility Upgrades
Renovate outdated classrooms and laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment. Build specialized spaces for SPED, mental health support, and creative pursuits like performing arts and athletics. Transition to sustainable energy sources, such as solar power, and develop green spaces for the community.
Digitization
Fully digitize administrative processes to enhance efficiency and reduce paper usage. Invest in e-learning platforms and tools to support hybrid and remote learning models.
Competitive Compensation
Benchmark faculty salaries against other universities to attract and retain top talent. Provide additional benefits like health insurance, retirement packages, and professional development funds.
Training and Succession Planning
Offer leadership training and mentorship programs for faculty and staff. Develop a succession plan to ensure continuity in administrative and academic leadership.
Support Systems
Establish wellness programs and mental health initiatives for faculty and staff.
Curriculum Development
Update curricula to align with emerging trends like AI, robotics, and technopreneurship. Expand interdisciplinary programs and research opportunities.
Research and Innovation
Focus on regional issues such as peacebuilding, sustainability, and economic resilience. Strengthen partnerships with international research institutions and attract more funding for impactful projects.
Student Development
Enhance leadership training for students to align with Sui Generis principles. Promote extracurricular activities like sports, arts, and cultural exchanges.
International Partnerships
Develop collaborations with global universities for student and faculty exchanges, joint degrees, and research. Pursue international accreditation to boost ADDU’s profile and rankings.
Global Alumni Engagement
Leverage the alumni network to create mentorship opportunities and establish global connections for students.
Support for Marginalized Groups
Expand financial and academic support for Indigenous Peoples (IPs), neuro-diverse learners, and other marginalized communities. Ensure facilities and programs are inclusive and accessible to all.
Mental Health Initiatives
Embed mental health support within the university culture through counseling services and wellness programs. Train faculty and staff to identify and address mental health concerns among students.
Cultural Integration
Promote Jesuit values through all programs and activities, emphasizing Magis, Cura Personalis, and social justice. Simplify mission and vision statements for accessibility and contextualize them for different stakeholders.
Community Engagement
Deepen partnerships with Mindanao communities, focusing on interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and sustainability.
Campus Practices
Implement a zero-waste campus policy and promote sustainable practices among students and staff. Transition to renewable energy sources and energy-efficient buildings.
Curriculum Integration
Incorporate sustainability and climate justice into all programs and research initiatives.
Effective Messaging
Use simplified, visually engaging formats like infographics and videos to communicate vision, mission, and goals. Highlight ADDU’s achievements in local and international contexts to strengthen its reputation.
Unified Identity
Ensure all stakeholders (faculty, staff, students, alumni) align with and embody ADDU’s vision and mission.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Monitor progress on enrollment rates, research output, sustainability initiatives, and global partnerships. Regularly review and update strategic goals to adapt to emerging challenges and opportunities.
Collaborative Implementation
Involve all stakeholders in strategic planning, ensuring alignment with ADDU’s values and long-term vision. Foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Emerging Design Aspirations for Fortiores 2030
*Design aspirations are guiding principles or high-level goals that shape the approach to solving problems, creating solutions, or achieving objectives within a design thinking framework. They serve as the “north star” for teams and organizations, helping to align efforts and focus creativity toward meaningful and impactful outcomes.
Empathy-Driven Engagement
Aspire to deeply understand the unique needs, aspirations, and challenges of ADDU’s diverse stakeholders. Prioritize people-centered solutions that reflect the lived experiences of students, faculty, and marginalized communities.
Leverage Our Place
Root ADDU’s strategic plan in the rich cultural, social, and environmental contexts of Mindanao. Emphasize the university’s role in advancing peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, and sustainable development in the region while showcasing Mindanao’s potential on the global stage.
Inclusive Excellence
Foster an inclusive environment where all individuals, regardless of background, can thrive. Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into programs, policies, and everyday interactions.
Future-Ready Education
Equip students with future-ready skills by reimagining curricula to address advancements in technology, entrepreneurship, and global citizenship. Incorporate AI, sustainability, and digital literacy into learning frameworks.
Global Citizenship with Local Impact
Blend global engagement with a strong commitment to local and regional development. Cultivate socially responsible leaders who think globally and act locally, addressing issues like environmental sustainability and socio-economic equity.
Value Entrepreneurship and Principled Innovation
Nurture entrepreneurial thinking across disciplines by encouraging innovation rooted in ethical principles. Foster a culture where students, faculty, and staff are empowered to create impactful, scalable solutions to real-world challenges.
Sustainability as Core Identity
Make environmental stewardship central to ADDU’s operations, research, and curricula. Lead initiatives on climate action, renewable energy, and zero-waste practices while fostering a campus culture committed to sustainability.
Holistic Formation and Leadership
Create programs that support the intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and ethical growth of all members of the university. Develop Sui Generis leaders who embody Jesuit values and address societal challenges with competence and compassion.
Collaborative Ecosystems
Build strong partnerships within and beyond the university to drive interdisciplinary research, community engagement, and entrepreneurial ventures. Expand networks with local, national, and global institutions for shared growth and mutual benefit.
Resilient and Adaptive Systems
Develop a university culture and infrastructure that can thrive in a rapidly changing world. Embrace agility to respond effectively to challenges, ensuring long-term relevance and success in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) environment.
Synodality as a Core Principle
Foster a synodal culture of journeying together, where collaboration, dialogue, and shared responsibility shape decision-making, community engagement, and institutional growth.
Strategic Conversations Round 2