Vice President for University and Global Relations (Memo U2122-001)

I wish to inform the community that the Ateneo de Manila Board of Trustees decided to postpone the appointment of a new Vice President for University and Global Relations (VPUGR) until the completion of the review of the functions of the UGR cluster. This support function is being evaluated in view of how it can better respond to the complex and evolving needs of our organization, specifically our schools.

Effective 1 June 2021, the offices/personnel that report to the VPUGR, which include the VPUGR Office, the Office of International Relations and the Office of the Asian Peacebuilders Scholarship Program, will report to the Office of the President until further notice.

I wish to take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude to Fr Jose "Joey" M Cruz SJ for his precious contribution to the internationalization of the University, a strategic thrust that will continue to be part of Ateneo de Manila’s DNA. Under his leadership, we have witnessed numerous milestones in our effort to become a truly global university: the establishment of the International Residence Hall and the Global Classrooms, the development of dual degree programs with the University for Peace and with the Queen Mary University of London, the Ateneo Global Portal website for international students, the academic calendar shift, the increased university partnerships and presence in global networks, and as of late, the establishment of the Ricardo Leong Hub for Global and Area Studies and many more.

On behalf of the Ateneo de Manila University, I thank Fr Joey for leading the internationalization efforts of the University these past nine years. We shall accompany him with our prayers as he begins his sabbatical year.

Ad majorem Dei gloriam.