Ateneo welcomes new and current MathEd Eagles at the 2024 Mathematics Education orientation

On 14 September 2024, the Mathematics Education (MathEd) community of Ateneo de Manila University gathered at SEC-A 210 for an exciting orientation and a meet-and-greet event. Both new and currently enrolled graduate students from the three MathEd programs of the Department of Mathematics came together for a night filled with insightful talks, engaging activities, and a sense of community.

The event was graced by several respected faculty members, alumni, and graduate students. The orientation kicked off with an opening prayer by Guinever Guinto Vera (PhD MathEd student), followed by some opening and welcome remarks from the Math Department Chair Dr Romina “Ray” Yap, who set the tone for the night’s activities. The energy in the room truly came alive with a unique icebreaker led by Angel Ombid (MS MathEd candidate), which gave students and faculty members the chance to get to know each other better and establish connections that would grow stronger throughout the program.

Dr Richard Eden, Associate Chair for Graduate Programs, provided an essential overview of the different Mathematics Education programs offered by the department. His talk was followed by detailed presentations from key faculty members: Dr. Lester Hao presented the Master in Mathematics Education (M Math Ed) program, Mia Fernando talked about the Master of Science in Mathematics Education (MS Math Ed), distinguishing it from the M Math Ed program, and Dr. Catherine Vistro-Yu offered insights into the Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics Education (PhD Math Ed) program. The presentations highlighted the unique strengths of each program that could help students navigate their options within the department.

A musical performance by Jake B Garnace (PhD MathEd student)lightened the mood before the next set of presentations. In the second part of the program, the attendees were treated to a heartfelt sharing by an alumna of the department, Donna Bautista (MS MathEd '23), who spoke about her personal experiences and reflections on her life after graduate studies. Another standout moment was the engaging talk by Vitus Paul de Jesus (PhD MathEd candidate), who entertained the crowd with stories of his own PhD journey, humorously referring to it as his “Meow Meow Journey,” and offering both hilarious and profound insights into the world of research.

Students were also given some valuable information about professional development opportunities: (1) Dr Alva Aberin discussed the importance of professional organizations, stressing the need for continuous professional growth. She mentioned some organizations such as Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP), Mathematics Teachers Association of the Philippines (MTAP), and the Philippine Council of Mathematics Teacher Educators (MATHTED), Inc. She also endorsed MATHTED to the participants as it has a wide network of teachers and provides research and publication opportunities for mathematics educators through its biennial conferences and its official journal – Intersection;(2) Dr Errol Matthew Garcia highlighted the ins and outs of the National Research Conference for Science and Mathematics Education (NRCSME), an annual conference exclusive to DOST-CBPSME scholars, inspiring students to contribute to meaningful research. He also shared his experiences, insights, and things he enjoyed as a participant and as a presenter, making the new scholars look forward to attending the conference when it is their turn; (3) Kier Baugbog, MS MathEd alumnus and currently pursuing PhD MathEd, shared his experiences in the Patriot Seminar of DOST, a notable event offered to the CBPSME scholars. The seminar provided a venue for scholars to connect with one another as they take part in the activities; (4) A focus on international collaboration was showcased through Dr. Cathy’s announcement of the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI) Study 27 Conference happening at the Ateneo de Manila University this coming January. She called on the students to get involved in global research initiatives; (5) Meanwhile, Aldrich Ellis Asuncion (MS Math student) briefly discussed computational thinking as a mathematical thought process. After which, he shared the exciting news about collaboration with the MathEd community, offering new avenues for teaching exploration, such as the Bebras Initiative.

The orientation concluded with the obligatory group photo and a salo-salo at the department, where students, alumni, and faculty had the chance to bond over good food and conversation. The friendly, informal atmosphere truly fostered a sense of belonging and spurred enough excitement for the journey ahead.