Charting the Course: Ateneo School of Government holds annual faculty and staff conference in Cebu

The Ateneo School of Government (ASOG) held its annual Faculty and Staff Conference in 2024 at Blue Water, Maribago, Cebu from 24 to 26 April 2024.

This year’s conference focused on bridging plans up to 2026 and began outlining the process to establish its strategic long-term plan beyond 2025. The conference began with a reflection on the school's accomplishments in the past year and explored potential improvements to the bridging plans.

Efforts toward establishing long-term future plans were then undertaken. There were lively discussions around the review of the national political and economic contexts and the university's Lux In Domino 2030 plans that would shape ASOG's long-term plans. The ASOG governance framework, a foundational document currently being developed to integrate the character of future ASOG interventions, was also presented. The conference concluded with an effort to kick-start the long-term plans with reflections on ASOG’s strategic vision.

With a total of 65 participants, this was the largest faculty and staff conference yet. Many younger staff from various ASOG projects attended, along with most of the core faculty and key fellows of the school, such as former COA Commissioner Heidi Mendoza, former DBM Secretary Florencio Abad, Senator Orlando Mercado, Former DepEd Secretary Edilberto de Jesus, Former DSWD Usec Angelita Gregorio-Medel, Former DOH Usec Mario Villaverde, and Former Usec Kenneth Hartigan Go.

ASOG Dean Philip Arnold P Tuano provided the program overview of the conference, while Dr Maria Luz C Vilches, Vice President for Higher Education, updated the School on the restructuring process as well as the University’s thrusts and directions.

Looking ahead, the momentum generated by the Faculty and Staff Conference serves as a springboard for ongoing initiatives and endeavors. Armed with renewed enthusiasm and a strengthened sense of community, the School will embark on the next chapter of its journey, united in its commitment to excellence, innovation, and service.

The Faculty and Staff Conference stands not only as a celebration of past achievements but as a testament to its collective potential to shape a brighter future and fulfill its mission of forming leaders and leading reforms.