Ateneo de Manila University and LASALLE College of the Arts sign MOU

Singapore's LASALLE College of the Arts and the Philippines' Ateneo de Manila University signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) at the Doreen Black Box Theater at the Areté on Thursday, 26 October 2023.

The MOU seeks to build a partnership between the two schools and the development of their respective fine arts programs. As part of this, it looks to allow students and faculty of both schools to take part in exchange programs.

Part of the University of the Arts Singapore, LASALLE College of the Arts was founded in 1984 by the late De La Salle Brother Joseph McNally. It is the highest-ranked specialist arts institution in Singapore based on the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings 2023. 

The seeds of the MOU were planted when Ateneo hosted the online Asia-Pacific Bond of Theater Schools (APB) in 2020. During the event, Ateneo de Manila's Dr Ricardo Abad, artistic director, Areté Ateneo; and D Cortezano, technical director, Areté Ateneo, met with LASALLE College of the Arts' Professor Leon Rubin. It was here that Prof Rubin expressed great interest in partnering with Ateneo.

The MOU was signed by Professor Steve Dixon, President of LASALLE College of the Arts and Fr Roberto "Bobby" C Yap, JS, President of Ateneo de Manila University.

Also in attendance from LASALLE College of the Arts were Ms Diyanah Said, Executive, Division of Quality & Planning and Global Engagement; Professor Leon Rubin, Faculty of Performing Arts; and Ms Cindy Phua, Acting Director, Division of Quality & Planning and Global Engagement.

Meanwhile, accompanying Fr Bobby were Department of Fine Arts Chair Smile M Indias alongside Fine Arts faculty members Dr Missy Maramara, Alfred Marasigan, Charles Yee, Molly Velasco-Wansom, and Laura Cabochan.

Before the signing, the representatives from LASALLE College of the Arts were treated to a tour of Areté, including the Hyundai Hall, Ateneo Art Gallery, Makerspace, Sandbox, studio classrooms, and Fine Arts Faculty lounge.

Meanwhile, following the tour and MOU signing, the guests were also treated to a preview of Areté's upcoming production, Sintang Dalisay, which was introduced by Dr Matthew Sta Maria, Assist Dean, UP Asian Center and Sintang Dalisay's choreographer.