The University of San Francisco and Ateneo de Manila University strengthen partnership through courtesy call

On 13 January 2026, the University President of the University of San Francisco (USF), Dr Salvador Aceves, visited Ateneo de Manila University and met University President Fr Roberto C Yap SJ, reaffirming both institutions’ long-standing commitment to not only Jesuit education, but to international collaboration as well.

Accompanying Dr Aceves were Ms Marcy Potter, Director of Development for Principal Gifts, and Ms Krittaya Pichitnapakul, Assistant Director of International Admission (Asia Pacific). 

Representing Ateneo, Fr. Yap was joined by the following team of university leaders:

• Fr Joaquin Jose Mari C Sumpaico III SJ, Vice President for Basic Education and USF alumnus,
• Dr Roberto Martin N Galang, Dean of the John Gokongwei School of Management,
• Fr Raymund Benedict Q Hizon SJ, Director of Office of University Development and Alumni Affairs, and
• Ms Cristina M Alikpala, Assistant Vice President for University Partnerships and Internationalization.

USF and Ateneo’s relationship is rooted in over two decades of partnership and cooperation. As bilateral partners since 1999, USF and Ateneo have collaborated on student exchange and study abroad activities, on faculty-led student mobility, as well as on USF’s Philippine Studies program.  In March 2024, USF and Ateneo embarked on the Academic Global Immersion Program, which was designed to immerse USF students in Filipino family businesses in the Philippines and provided participants with the basic understanding of Philippine and Southeast Asian culture and society. Since then, Ateneo has welcomed 28 USF students across two cohorts, and is looking forward to welcoming a third cohort in March 2026.

Continuing and deepening collaboration was a key focus of the meeting, with both institutions exploring new opportunities and improvements to strengthen student and staff mobility, expand alumni networks, and deepen their continued mutual support.  

The meeting concluded with an exchange of tokens and a group photo, symbolizing the spirit of friendship and future cooperation between Ateneo and USF.