Top German Graduate Visits AdNU under EPECTO

Konstantin Mehl, a fresh graduate of Music and Chemistry and 2008 Class Valedictorian of Friedrich-Alexander-Gymnasium, Neustadt-an-der-Aisch in Germany, visited Ateneo de Naga University from June 29 to July 28, 2008. This visit was facilitated by the Exchange Program on Education, Culture and Teaching Objectives (EPECTO), an ongoing partnership between Ateneo de Naga University and Friedrich-Alexander-Gymnasium.

Konstantin’s itinerary included courtesy visits to Naga City Mayor Jesse Robredo, AdNU University President Fr. Joel Tabora, S.J., and AdNU Academic Vice-President Dr. Rebecca Torres. He also participated in the fieldwork conducted by the Institute for Environmental Conservation and Research (INECAR) in Rapu-Rapu, some field activities and engagements of the Institute of Politics (IP), music practices of the Ateneo Band as well as some classroom activities and social gatherings involving the Jesuit Community and the faculty.

While here, Konstantin delivered a presentation on Germany for the EPECTO Der Deutsche Club – Faculty Division. The highlight of this activity was a discussion on the model of federalism in German politics and governance. Complementing this was his public lecture on German culture, which he delivered to a packed audience at AdNU's Instructional Media Center (IMC). This lecture paved the way for the further strengthening of inter-departmental collaborations among the Departments of Literature and Language Studies, Social Sciences, and Philosophy.

Konstantin also visited some tourist spots in Bikol with volunteer companions from the Faculty and Student Divisions of the EPECTO Der Deutsche Club. Culminating his visit was a send-off party that featured a mini-concert by the Ateneo Band, a keynote presentation, and some readings of poetry.

Forging intercultural partnerships, nurturing multi-rational engagements and developing multicultural strategies in education have been the core goals of EPECTO since its launching in 2007. The Program Coordinators wish to thank its institutional leaders, Fr. Tabora and Herr Fischer, for their support as well as Konstantin for generously ushering forward the goals of the program during his visit here.

As he departs, hopefully to return again someday soon, Ateneo de Naga wishes Konstantin well as he pursues further University studies in Munich.