International Physical Mobility (Memo U2122-061)

Memo to        :           The University Community

Subject           :           International Physical Mobility

Over the last two years, the pandemic has affected Ateneo de Manila’s onsite international mobility programs owing to the restrictions on travel and other related considerations.  Now that the IATF has lowered alert levels in the country – at least in Metro Manila – and academic activities are increasingly held onsite in many universities here and abroad, we are gearing towards resuming international physical mobility for all the units whose programs were suspended in compliance with the constraints imposed by relevant government regulatory bodies.

Faculty/Staff Mobility

Beginning this Second Semester SY 2021-2022, our faculty and other employees who wish to attend conferences, meetings, and networking activities abroad may now do so. Similarly, international faculty and staff from universities and institutions abroad wishing to come to Ateneo de Manila for similar activities are now welcome to visit our campuses. Both outbound and inbound faculty/staff mobility, however, will still be subject to the applicable government regulations and university policies/protocols.

Student Mobility

For students, our plan is to restart outbound and inbound student mobility engagements in SY 2022-2023. Outbound student mobility covers the Junior Term Abroad (JTA) and Summer Term Abroad (STA) programs of the Loyola Schools and other forms of student mobility in the academic units, while inbound student mobility includes the visiting International Exchange Students (IXS) program. But since we are also bound by regulations from CHED, DepEd and the Legal Education Board (LEB), not to mention the IATF, on matters like this, we have to await the necessary endorsements before we actualize our plans. We hope to keep the community updated on developments as soon as these are ready. The Vice Presidents of the different academic clusters will issue specific guidelines on this matter. 

Need for Vigilance

By resuming international physical mobility for students and faculty and other employees, the university acknowledges the advantages of such an experience for the growth of learning and professional work.  Part of the reality of travel these days, however, is constant vigilance among all concerned about possible travel risks owing largely to the pandemic.  While some measures have been taken to address COVID-19 (like vaccination and attendant safety and health protocols), the virus still continues to challenge health systems in many parts of the world. Thus, whoever decides to undergo these academic/professional engagements overseas should be cognizant of the volatility of the situation and be prepared to address emergent situations while abroad.

Declaration and Undertaking Form

We enjoin faculty and other employees who are participating in any international physical mobility programs to sign a Declaration and Undertaking form that outlines important considerations which serve as binding reminders about the responsibilities of those undertaking international mobility programs. Such form shall be made available by the pertinent academic or central administration cluster to which an employee belongs.

To emphasize, this memo is subject to government (e.g. CHED, DepEd, LEB or IATF) and university policies/protocols that may be issued subsequently in response to the current and future health situations, as they develop.

For your information and guidance.