A celebration of generosity: Marking JGSOM's 20th year and GBSEALD's dedication

On Saturday, March 19, 2022, Gokongwei Brothers Foundation (GBF) and Ateneo de Manila University celebrate milestones in their partnership to transform the educational landscape in the country.

The occasion celebrates the 20th anniversary of the John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM) and marks the dedication and establishment of the Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design (GBSEALD). The event was held at the Ubuntu Space of the Areté building of the university with the theme, “A Celebration of Generosity.”

“I am truly glad to be here today for this triple celebration - an anniversary, a dedication, and a launch, all borne out of a shared vision to become a force of good in education,” Fr Yap said of the event.

GBF Chairman Lance Gokongwei stated, “Our partnership with Ateneo is a big step towards GBF’s goal of building our country’s future through education, providing much hope for Filipino students who dream of becoming our future work force and leaders, for Filipino teachers who relentlessly aspire to empower our learners to the challenges of coping with the new normal of education, and for Filipino families who rely on the education of their children as their only hope out of poverty.”

Commemorating 20 years of JGSOM

Since 2002, JGSOM has dedicated itself to its mission of transforming students into business leaders who can adapt to and heed the needs of the future world by the use of technology, ethics and core values, and by the spirit of magis (a Latin word that describes doing “more” and doing “greater”).

In 2007, JGSOM became the first school to be hailed as a Center of Excellence in business administration and entrepreneurship by the Commission on Higher Education.

Last year, ADMU was accredited as a member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSBI), a global business education network committed to hone the next generation of leaders. As part of this network, JGSOM strengthens its commitment to improving the quality of business education.

The Dean of JGSOM, Dr. Luis Dumlao, noted, “As much as twenty years may sound long, it is only a fraction of our continuous journey to attain the collective vision of Mr. John and Ateneo de Manila to (quoting from the plaque of dedication) “develop skilled and principled business leaders to help the country attain its national goals and priorities.”

Celebrating the Dedication and Establishment of GBSEALD

Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, these past years have also been fruitful in pushing the boundaries of education as GBF and Ateneo launched the 5th Loyola School, GBSEALD, in 2021.

Fr Johnny Go SJ, founding dean of the new school, said, “This new School of Education and Learning Design exemplifies Ateneo de Manila’s commitment to Philippine education. Our motto puts it best: ‘Bago ang lahat, edukasyon!’ We are committed to the priority of our educational mission, as well as the need to reimagine what needs to be new in education.”

The establishment of GBSEALD aims to help elevate education through the formation of educators, educational leaders, policy makers and other learning professionals. Envisioned to be a center of excellence and leadership in education, especially in Science, Math, Reading and Writing, it seeks to be able to contribute in improving educational policy and practice through its graduates.

The school was named in recognition of GBF’s significant donation to establish the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation Endowment for Educational Innovation. The endowment is established in honor of the brothers John, Henry, Johnson, and James, the founders of the GBF.

The celebration was attended by heads of GBF and Ateneo, among them were Lance Gokongwei, Chairman of GBF; James Go, President of GBF; and the members of the GBF Board of Trustees: Robina Y Gokongwei-Pe, Patrick Henry C Go, Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng and Wilfrido E Sanchez; Bernadine T Siy, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Ateneo; Fr Roberto C Yap, President of Ateneo; Dr Maria Luz C Vilches, VP for the Loyola Schools of Ateneo; the Deans of JGSOM and GBSEALD, Dr Luis Dumlao, PhD and Fr. Johnny Go SJ respectively.

GBF will soon celebrate 30 years of partnerships and services dedicated to furthering STEM education in the Philippines

These milestones are great testimonies to the partnership between GBF and Ateneo de Manila and their joint mission of improving education in our country. It is an example of the strides the Foundation has taken in order to drive Philippine education forward. This year, the Foundation will celebrate its 30th anniversary and renews its commitment to contribute to the country’s progress by providing quality education to the future STEM workforce. Through its projects, GBF hopes to have participated in the learning journeys of 10,000 educators and 1,000,000 learners by the year 2025.

“This lofty goal becomes more achievable with great partners like the Ateneo de Manila University, as we work hand in hand to make a significant impact in transforming the lives of Filipinos and contributing to national progress through the lasting gift of quality education,” GBF Chairman Lance Gokongwei concludes.

This is a joint press release of the Gokongwei Brothers Foundation and Ateneo de Manila University.

_{Top photo: (Left to Right) Dr Maria Luz C Vilches, VP for the Loyola Schools; Fr. Johnny Go SJ, Dean of GBSEALD; Ms Bernadine T Siy, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Ateneo; Atty. Wilfrido E Sanchez, GBF Board of Trustee; Mr Patrick Henry C Go, GBF Board of Trustee; Mr Lance Gokongwei, Chairman of GBF; Mr James Go, President of GBF; Ms Robina Y Gokongwei-Pe, GBF Board of Trustee; Lisa Gokongwei-Cheng, GBF General Manager; Fr Roberto C Yap, President of Ateneo; Dr Luis Dumlao, Dean of JGSOM and Ms. Grace R Colet, GBF Executive Director (Photo from Gokongwei Brothers Foundation)}