ADMU joins 2026 ACUP conference with theme: Response of Catholic Higher Educational Institutions to the Philippine Education Crisis

11-13 March 2026, Naga Bicol– The Ateneo de Manila University joined this year’s Association of Catholic Universities of the Philippines 2026 Conference held at Ateneo de Naga University. This year’s theme was The Response of Catholic Higher Educational Institutions to the Philippine Education Crisis. Joselito Olpoc (Director, Office of Curriculum Development and Integration Undergraduate Education, and Sergio Andre Gerardo Gabriel (Formator, Office for Social Concern and Involvement & Lecturer, Department of Philosophy) represented ADMU alongside 100+ delegates present across 30+ universities all over the Philippines.

The 3-day conference began with a keynote lecture titled Drawing New Maps of Hope: The Role of Philippine Catholic Higher Education as Beacons of Hope and Ethical Clarity by Rev. Fr. Wilmer Joseph S. Tria, PhD (President, Catholic Education Association of Caceres and Libmanan or CEACAL, Vice President, Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines or CEAP). Succeeding lectures came from the Higher Education & Teacher Education and Development Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), Teacher Education Council (TEC), and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines ‘ Episcopal Commission on Social Communications. Masses were held every day presided by His Excellency Most Rev. Gerardo Almizana, D.D., His Excellency Most Rev. Rex Andrew Clement Alarcon, D.D. (Archbishop of Caceres), and Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang O.P., Ph.D. (ACUP President, Rector, University of Santo Tomas).

The itinerary of the conference also included a tree-planting activity and breakout sessions on 1) interdisciplinary research in Catholic universities, 2) digital transformation and ethical AI integration, and 3) educational well-being.

“Other than meeting everyone, I was glad to be able to share what our current integrated undergraduate curriculum (with four stages of formation) is like with the other participating universities. They had questions for everyone during the breakout sessions about how we [ADMU] run formation programs, teach our humanities subjects, and do research. We went around in a circle sharing our experiences and current systems. I’m confident we’ll continue to keep in touch because we kept talking even after the time ended,” Gabriel said.

ACUP

The full list of participating universities of ACUP includes:

• St. Louis University (Benguet)
• Angeles University Foundation (Pampanga City)
• Holy Angel University (Pampanga City)
• University of the Assumption (Pampanga City)
• Adamson University (Manila City)
• De La Salle Araneta University (Manila City)
• De La Salle University (Manila City)
• San Beda University (Manila City)
• St. Paul University Manila (Manila City)
• University of Santo Tomas (Manila City)
• Ateneo de Manila University (Quezon City)
• St. Paul University, Quezon City (Quezon City)
• University of San Agustin (Iloilo City)
• University of Negros Occidental Recoletos (Bacolod City)
• University of St. La Salle (Bacolod City)
• Holy Trinity University (Puerto Princesa City)
• University of San Carlos (Cebu City)
• University of San Jose Fecoletos (Cebu City)
• St. Paul University, Dumaguete (Dumagete City)
• Ateneo de Zamboanga University (Zamboanga City)
• St. Paul University (Cagayan)
• St. Louis University-Tuguegarao (Cagayan)
• University of Lasallete, Inc. (Santiago City)
• Saint Mary’s University (Nueva Viscaya)
• La Consolacion University (Bulacan)
• Ateneo de Naga University (Naga City)
• Universidad de Sta. Isabel (Naga City)
• University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi (Legazpi City)
• Holy Name University (Bohol)
• Father Saturnino Rios University (Butuan City)
• Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro City)
• La Salle University (Ozamis City)
• Ateneo de Davao University (Davao City)
• University of the Immaculate Conception (Davao City)
• Notre Dame University (Cotabato City)
• Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (South Cotabato)
• Notre Dame of Marbel University (South Cotabato)

For more information on ACUP, you may get in touch with them via acup.secretariat@gmail.com.